Just one thing!

[Tulipsandbuttercups]

If there was just one thing, that you wished someone had told you about before the birth of your first born what would it be?

lou x

you cannot 'spoil' a baby, you will not make a rod for your own back and you can't cuddle a baby too much.

That induction does NOT always = long hard painful labour!

YY to the "newborns don't feed every 4 hours". Biggest load of bollocks I ever heard. I would get some 4 hour stint between feeds, but also a lot of 15 minute stints. Just roll with it. As soon as I surrendered to the constant feeding, I was so much happier.

Download series you've always wanted to watch onto your iphone. Brilliant for the 10pm - 2am feeding marathon.

A bit later on, when your brain is recovering, Radio 4 is your friend. (Particularly, I think, if you're used to working full time in an intellectually demanding job)

Lower your standards re housework, it will always be there but your little one wont stay little and cuddly for long

That bear down actually means push like you're doing a poo - I wish someone had told me this as I spent ages trying not to poo!

Also, post birth, lean really far forward - nearly kissing the floor - when you need to pee. It stops the burning sensation if you've had stitches!

Aw

Marking my place- this is really useful - thanks everyone!

Ah yes there are a few things I wish I'd known!

• lean forward when you pee after having stitches, and pour a jug of lukewarm water over everything when you're done. Peeling in the shower, as horrid as it sounds, will be the best pee of the day.
• shower every day if you have stitches and clean the wound before and after bed. It's worth the extra time.
• ask about breastfeeding lying down.
• expect to not leave hospital unless feeding is established.
• you won't use a top and tail bowl. It's just as quick to dunk a baby in the sink for a wash.
• it's highly unlikely your baby will sleep by itself in a cot etc for a good week or so after birth. They sleep in the hospital cot fine but that's because your newborn is as tired as you are. Be prepared to have baby sleeping on you!

I'm sure there are more... Oh yes the mothercare maternity pads are expensive and a bit rubbish. Buy boots or Sainsburys own brand instead. They're cheaper and way more padded.

Oh and you can't eat during an epidural (well, I wasn't allowed to anyway!) so make sure you eat beforehand! I remember being very pleased I'd managed a bowl of cornflakes at home between contractions at 7am. The next time I are was at 2am!

You will likely poo during labour, do not be embarrassed about this, majority of women do, MW will whisk it away without anyone even realising hopefully Prime OH's that this might happen and they are to never tell anyone!!