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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

What did you wish you had got done pre-birth?

54 replies

runtus · 21/03/2006 11:43

Hi guys, I'm 31 weeks tomorrow and just drawing up a list of the things I still have to get organised and done before the little fella decides to make an appearance. I have all the usual suspects down like; wash put away all baby clothes, put up cot and fit bedding etc........

I was just wondering if there are any tips the more exp among us can share to make the first fortnight or so more bearable? I was thinking of making up a batch of dinners and freezing them (easy stuff like shepherds pie)...........and I've just booked a bikini wax for the week before I'm due!

Any other hints and tips???

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

SoupDragon · 21/03/2006 11:45

Oh yes, definitely make up and freeze easy meals.

Original poster

runtus · 21/03/2006 11:46

Was hoping if I do that we can avoid spending shedloads of money on takeway.........and also cut down on the MIL affect!

OP posts:

dinosaur · 21/03/2006 11:46

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

LucyJones · 21/03/2006 11:47

make it clear to in-laws and parents, friends, neighbours etc when it will be okay to visit

trice · 21/03/2006 11:47

spend some time alone with your partner, it will be your last chance for romance for months.

LucyJones · 21/03/2006 11:47

also test out car seat and make sure you know how to fit it safely for the journey home

oliveoil · 21/03/2006 11:47

I wouldn't advise moving house 4 days before. Definitly not....

For dd2 I did the food freezing and tried to clear any annoying clutter from the house (piles of paper, dh's crap everywhere) as I knew that it would remain there otherwise and annoy me for weeks.

Original poster

runtus · 21/03/2006 11:48

Romance - what's that again???

OP posts:

Original poster

runtus · 21/03/2006 11:49

Ha ha oliveoil - I'll bear in mind the moving house tip! We have just finished a whole load of house renovation, so thankfully that shouldn't be a problem...............

OP posts:

Normsnockers · 21/03/2006 11:59

Sort out internet supermarket shopping if not already set up.

If internet shopping is not your thing, bulk buy loo-rolls, kitchen towel, bottled water and pet food or anything else bulky/heavy to keep shopping simple after the birth.

Make sure dh knows the difference between newborn baby clothes and larger sizes if they are all ready washed and stored close together.
Ds and I were in hospital for 5 days and I asked dh to bring in some more sleepsuits only to have him turn up with 3-6 month ones !

Get an answerphone or BT 1571 service if you don't have one and set it to cut in immediately in case you and baby are asleep. It might not wake baby but the bl**dy 'phone ringing disturbed my precious catnaps.

Put your vase(s) somewhere handy and not on top of a cupboard (in case you have a c-section) as hopefully you will get sent flowers !

mumfor1standfinaltime · 21/03/2006 12:03

Get as much sleep and rest as possible!

Buy millions of baby wipes!

Agree on spending lots of time with your partner if possible, and have a meal out together, something like that.

BettySpaghetti · 21/03/2006 12:03

Go out for dinner/lunch as much as possible! Make sure you enjoy and savour leisurely meals as when baby arrives you will find he/she has a knack of needing food/attention/cuddles/nappy changes/winding as soon as you're about to eat!

(its also nice to spend some quality time out with your partner as it may be a while before it happens again)

dyzzidi · 21/03/2006 12:17

I cleaned my house from top to bottom! got everything where i wanted it for the baby, ironed all my clothes for when i got home from hospital ( trcksuits/tshirts etc), bought the 0-3 month vests and babygrows and prepared them. My baby was out of newborn in a fortnight and she was only 6lb 11oz. I cooked and froze meals from about 30 weeks pg. I also bought lots of frozen snacky kind of foods such as sausage rolls, mini pizzas, chicken dippers, bread rolls etc. We found these invaluable as we could have these kind of things for lunch and fit them in around baby and visitors etc.

jellyjelly · 21/03/2006 12:21

Make sure that the cupbaords are filled with all that you will need for the first 6 weeks ie cans, herbs and enought meat, easy meals for the freezer. Get some champagne as you might like a glass. Have it chilled and waiting

Get the car seat already in the car or practise both of you as you might not be able to do it. (3 years on and dh still didnt know how to do it, not sre if he does now).

Sort out your linen closest so if people offer say a change of sheets a couple of weeks in the stuff is easy to find.

I would find a list of people ie doctors, vets, food the cat has anything that applies to your household usefull.

Black and white film for the camera as it can be a bit gross.

Lots of nappies but not all in the smallest size as they arent in it for long.

Learn how to use and assemble the breast pump and your partner too as you might not be able to. (dh didnt know that i wouldnt be able to wash up after section so he would have to dismantle pump and steam it, then put it back together loads of time a day)

Get out your steamer so if you haev to bootlefeed it is ready to go.

Think that is it, make sure all the bags are packed and put all the clothes in age order and take lots of mittens into hospital.

Good luck.

robin3 · 21/03/2006 12:21

Getting to grips with the equipment. I felt that every day I was having to learn how to use things...some of which reduced me to tears in my fragile state.

Also....I should have spent time with a newborn...I'd never changed a nappy before, or bathed a baby, or burped a baby.

FrannyandZooey · 21/03/2006 12:22

I wish I had done less i.e. bought less crap that I didn't need! I think we are tempted to stock up on every possible product that could be useful, but so much of it is needless and you don't realise until your baby actually arrives.

meowmix · 21/03/2006 12:24

Read a book without interruption and value time alone in the loo.

Make a shopping list for DH so he can have the fridge stocked for when home. List of telephone numbers pinned up by phone in case of need once home. Switch to a wireless phone so you don't have to disturb baby to answer it.

dramaqueen72 · 21/03/2006 12:28

go out, both alone and with your partner. do anything you need two hands for...
get house tidy and clean. organise someone to do your ironing after the birth - its heaven.
have more bedding than you think for babies midnight throwing up sessions. be well stocked up on treat yourself kinda smellies, because a fabulous bath/lotion/etc can lift you after another sleepless night.

emmawill · 21/03/2006 12:36

Relax as much as possible, enjoy leisurely baths with candles and bubble bath, don't do too much I got married at 8 months then moved house, then had big family christmas with people staying over in new house, dd 1st birthday then ds was born, and I was very, very stressed out!!!!

Deferinly freeze down food you won't feel like cooking. Warning about the bikini wax your skin will be hyper sensitive and it will hurt a lot more than usal!

Good luck with the birth.

Good luck

picnikel · 21/03/2006 12:48

Get a good hair cut and consider manicure/pedicure/leg wax. Book these for 37 weeks in case you pop early, then if you go overdue you can console yourself by having another pedicure !

Definitly freeze loads of food and get in lots of snacks & fruit.

Make sure you have plenty of painkillers, sanitary towels (the gigantic ones) and breast pads in the house.

If you're hiring a TENS make sure your DH knows how to set it up before you go into labour.

Good luck, it's an exciting time - I remember spending ages folding all the babygros and getting all emotional!!

Imafairy · 21/03/2006 14:54

ooh - getting all nostalgic reading these!! Haven't read all of them though, so apologies if someone has already suggested this: buy or at least research your thank you cards - people are exceptionally generous, and the best thing is to start knocking out those cards as soon as you possible can, cos trying to do them all at once is a nightmare!
Definitely recommend the facial / waxing / manicure / pedicure / haircut thing, and having nights / days out with your other half. Be spontaneous - if you feel like doing something, DO IT, cos it's the last time you'll be able to without involving babysitters or taking 2 hours to get out of the house!!!!!!

cece · 21/03/2006 15:00

get hair colouring done, wax your legs, get a pedicure and have at least one weekend away with dp/dh! go out for lots of meals, cinema etc too.

Original poster

runtus · 21/03/2006 15:00

Keep em coming guys - all really useful!

OP posts:

Mazzystar · 21/03/2006 15:03

Practice with the TENS machine to avoid electric shocks caused by husband fannying around trying to figure out how it works despite pain relief urgently required.

Stop working and spend time doing yoga and going to see movies

Also best to get a cot sorted so your husband doesn't have to borrow one from next door neighbours whilst you recover from c-section.

expatinscotland · 21/03/2006 15:07

made up freeze and easy meals AND baking.

buy a footstool for breastfeeding.

go to the cinema

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