Due April 2008 -The one where SCORPIO GETS MARRIED!!(and we get virtually drunk)

[VictorianSqualor]

With Peachy (as usual) on clothing, DD needed prem stuff whereas DS was out of newborn in days.

BTW, for anyone interested, I was in Lloyds the other day and they ahd these on offer, wasn't sure if it was the same online but appears to be, down from almost £30 to £9.99, they also had baby monitors on offer and tens machines They are all at least half price deals but for some reason it isnt saying the original price on the website.

I just noticed it does say the original prices, right near the bottom

Hi i know its early to start thinking about a labour/hospital bag but what do u actually need in it.

Afternoon all, lots of good advice going on again.

VS - those thermometers are a bargin!

PAL - you dont have to wait till your nest MW app, if you see you GP they can refer you on to physio - either in house or local clinc/hosp. Oh and if you still feel like bedroom gymnastics just dont open your legs too wide (main aggrevating factor)

Thanks just had a look a lloyds they are really cheap.
I put a post on earlier asda is having a baby sale, i think its the 14th to the 27th january.

Hmm, Labour bag, this is something I never really packed, first came at 32 weeks,s econd was a planned CS so there was no 'Labour' as such.

But here goes

Labour bag.(you)
Nighties(front opening if planning to breastfeed, one that you dont mind throwing away to give birth in, or large t-shirt.
Socks, apparently feet get cold in labour.
Snacks, for both you and birthing partner, hospital vending machines are a rip off.
Change for the phone, unless you're happy to go outside to use your mobile, if you are, take your phone charger just incase.
Dressing gown and slippers/comfy shoes (ugg boots here )
Loose fitting clothes for after, if you have a csection you will NOT be able to wear something on the cut for a while.
Maternity pads/breastpads.
Hairbrush and tie.
Flannel.
Shower gel.
Towel.
Pen and paper.
Anything you may want to ill time with (I'll be taking a book and a little stereo)

Baby.
Clothes.
Nappies
Towel.
Blanket.
Hat
Formula if you're formula feeding, and bottles(pre-sterilised bottles and ready made milk for ease of use)
Cotton wool for babies bum.

I'm sure there must be more but I can't think right now!

Disposable knickers. Horrid things but much better than taking home bloody kecks.

PAL - the tubi grip option (as described by Peachy) is what I had too. It fitted under my clothes without any hassle, I had loads of flexbility and it really helped my SPD. The only downside was that it could get a bit hot.

VS - thanks for the link to those thermometers. they're such a bargain! And DD lost our thermometer recently - it's somewhere in the house, but I just don't know where.

Watch out for the tens machines though. It needs to have a boost button to be effective in labour and I don't think the Lloyds ones have that. They're mainly for back and joint pain rather than labour.

meand bump - thanks will stock up on cotton wool and bits.

VS - dont remember much about my labour so cant remember if feet were cold or not. First 24 hours got through loads of pads as v slow leaking waters so would advise to stock up with plenty of those.
Dont forget camera to catch the first moments.

Thank you that has helped.

Add toothpaste and toothbrush to VS's list -- for you and also for DH (in the case of a long labour you don't want him leaning over you solicitously and breathing 48-hour breath in your face).

Does anyone know where to get a cheap mattress topper from, so nearer to the time i can stick it on my bed so that dont get ruined.

Most of those things are just what I remember getting out of my friends bag or goign searching for when I was her birthing partner!

I know at one point we were both starving until the other birthing partner turned up with sandwiches! I know she wanted to have her face patted alot with her flannel when she was in the final stages as well.

And with Ds I was so bored about an hour after my visitors were gone I was glad to have a puzzle book and pen and my stereo with headphones.

right ok thank u but is it me or is there so much to get and remember.

No but you can get disposable change mats that r basically like incontinence sheets that you could put under you - prob cheaper than a matress

Thanks for all the lists - very useful!

They do a waterproof matress protector in argos for about £15 I think, don't know about any cheaper, try ebay?

And add squash to that list, they'll give you water at the hospital but not anythign esle, so put some fruit squash in it.

Right i will try that then i think, this that like the things for kids beds when they wee.

Ah yeah, good idea Denny, we used to use those in the care home I worked in.

It mgiht seem like a lot, but it's not really. WHne you pack the bag just think of it like going away for a few days, with a baby and cover any eventuallities.

As for the baby stuff you need to buy, well, I'm only buying a bedside cot, some sleepsuits and some nappies, oh and my Loola, that's it.

OMG - just got on the scale and put 4lb on in a week, could it be the weight of the cup of coffee Ive just drunk????

Soph: how do they go about turning a baby?! I'm with Peachy and VS on the clothes. I got tons from my SIL so I'm sorted but you'll probably get loads of presents so best just to get the really necessary stuff and then wait and see.

On the subject of monitors, has anyone got one of those camera monitors where you can see the baby in the bedroom. Are they any good or is iot all a bit OTT?

I have a list to bring with me to the hospital that the hospital gave me . Hang on I'll find it and post it....

Agree about taking home bloody knicjkers BUT I much prefer getting something chep but fabric to the disposables- oundland do a few pairs for a quid LOL, and asda savers types are of course cheap and binnable.

Here is the list. I'd add onto it a few personal bits and pieces like toiletries and camera etc.

An old T-Shirt of loose top to wear during labour
Several pairs of pants (dispoable)
Sanitary pads
Night dresses or pyjamas with front opening
Aromatherapy oil burner (electrical) for creating a relaxing environment (optional) or anything that might relax you
Shower hat
Boiled sweets to suck ? for extra energy
Massage oils (aromatherapy oils such as lavender)
Face cloth ? for wiping sweaty foreheads
Warm sock ? feet get very cold during labour
Breast pas
Cotton wool

Clothes for baby:
Baby grows
Vests
Socks
Scratch mittens
Something warm to take baby home
Nappies

I had disposable ones for the first day I think then I had a couple of packs I got from primark dead cheap, about £3 for 5 pairs of huge black knickers.

Oh and a tip- our digital camera flipped out with the lights in the amt unit and my sister didnt manage to get any of her LO in nicu either- what we now do is pop a disposable with flash in the abg as a spare, its just not worth missing the pictures for the sake of a fiver!

And something else that sounds stupid but worked for me- I treated myself to nice bath stuff (went for the avent new mother stuff) for straight after the birth, and then used it for special events like his baptism, first birthday etc- the smell brought back all those first baby emotions and was really lovely (apparently the smella rea of your brain is nearby to the memory area).