I'll join Bubalie and shelleylou as another who's been largely absent in the furious rush to finish up at work and start feeling organised. I've finished commuting to work now, but have some paperwork and accounting to finalise at home. I'm sure I'll feel much more relaxed once that's finished.
Today I am 37 weeks! Technically full term - just can't believe it! Like soundofherwings we are planning a homebirth, so it was lovely to wake up this morning and know that we are now at the approved gestation for safe homebirth.
The midwife came last week to do our home check and drop off the kit. It's a rather scary bright yellow biohazard box sitting in the corner of the room. We've been buying plastic sheeting, sorting out old towels, heaters etc. to have ready for the event. I have to say I've found our Hynobirthing classes invaluable; they've really filled me with confidence about the birth and the decisions I've made.
I've also found NCT classes useful - not so much for the knowledge, but for the friendships. We've been meeting up weekly since the classes finished and have already had some babies! Makes it all the more real for me.
Organisation-wise, I've been so busy finishing work that I haven't done much in the way of practical preparations. We have a few baby bits and pieces, but not much clothing, so I must something for the poor little thing to wear when it arrives. People who are asking about washing: I don't use any detergent or softener, as I really am concerned about some of the agents present in commercial products. We use Ecover Ecoballs, which are fine, and if something is particularly dirty I use some of this stuff: www.homescents.co.uk/acatalog/Violet_s_Magic_Laundry_Powder.html
This is something I am asked about a lot professionally, and I would never recommend using anything like Fairy/Persil etc.
As we'll be co-sleeping there is no 'nursery' prep to be done, and no equipment to buy. I have a couple of different slings on order, but also bought a Bugaboo Cameleon, which seems to be pretty practical, and we can use the carrycot for the baby to sleep in if it wants a nap without me being in bed with it.
What's everyone doing for nappies? I had a consultation with a nappy consultant, who suggested Bamboozle Stretch nappies. Has anyone used these before? I like the look of them, but they are not suitable from birth, so I'll have to start with something else (determined to never have a disposable in the house!) I've been given a set of BambinoMio nappies, but they look so complicated, will have to watch a few YouTube tutorials I think. I like the look of the Cheeky Wipes reusable wipes system, so think we'll go for that as well. Again, anyone have any experience here?
Ooh, sorry for such a mammoth post after a long absence. You can see that I've just switched my brain into baby mode after a really intense lead-up to maternity leave. It's lovely to read how everyone else is making the emotional transition from career woman to expectant mother. It's certainly an interesting journey.