A few silly questions...

[Babysealion]

I'm only 25+4 with my first so hopefully have a while to go before baby arrives but I have a couple of questions.
Firstly do you have to bring your own nappies in your hospital bag or do the hospital provide them?
Also, I know most of the time if there's no problems baby is put straight onto your chest for some skin to skin. Sorry if this sounds really stupid but what about the cord? Do they cut it first or is it really long?

Yes you need to bring your own nappies.

The cord is long enough so the baby can be on your chest...ideally the cird should be left until it stops pulsating as its a source of blood & oxygen to the baby. Very often mw cut the cord quickly if baby needs attention.

Your questions aren't silly... how would you know sny of this if its your 1st? I wish mn was around when I had my first dc...we didn't even have the internet...God I feel old!

Good luck!

Cord not cird...bloody auto correct!

Thanks shelly :)
I have a question regarding paternity leave. Does DP's leave kick in from the EDD so if I were to go overdue it would be wasted, or does it start from when you go into labour? Or is this something specific to each business that he needs to ask about at work?

i've just been reading about this for my work, u need him to ask hr or management, I and oh have to apply 15weeks b4 edd so I guess it potentially will be wasted a bit, but we're going to have his booked after edd, hth

Paternity leave starts when he says it does, no later than the actual delivery date. He doesn't necessarily need to take it all in one go IIRC.

With DS1 DH started his PL when I went into labour, but DS1 wasn't born until two days later

With DS2, who was born on a Sunday night, he rang or emailed that night to say he wouldn't be in for a bit.

It starts from you going into labour or after the birth at a time of your choice...i think up to 3 months after the birth- im not 100% about the length of time you have to take paternity leave.

Your dp can take 1 or 2 weeks as long as they are consecutive.

Hope thst helps.

Regards paternity leave, it's definitely worth your DP speaking to his employer. As I was in hospital for a week after my DS was born he took 3 days paternity leave that week, starting from the day DS was born. However, he also went in to work for a couple of days to maximise time with us once I was at home. But this depends on the flexibility of your DP's employer.

Regarding nappies - I think it depends on hospital so check with mw maybe? My hospital makes u use reusable ones when you are there and u only need 1 disposable to bring baby home in

Tiptop can they actually force you to do that? Genuine question.

I was in hospital for a while after my last birth and my DP started his pat leave once I got out. Was about 4 days after DDarrived.