What advice would you give to first time mums about pregnancy?

[Sophia1984]

What it says above. Getting through my 22nd week and wondering if anyone has any advice on how to use the second half of pregnancy to best prepare for baby/being a parent? (Am already sleeping a lot!)

A friend of mine said the best advice she was given was as soon as you feel the start of early labour (assuming you and the baby are well) go for a shower, wash your hair and having something nice to eat and plenty to drink, because you don't know when the next chance you'll get to do either will be!

Say no to visitors in the first couple of weeks if you don't feel up to seeing anyone- the baby (and you) aren't going anywhere.
Get your hair cut/eyebrows done /a pedicure
Batch cook things that can be eaten one handed
If people ask what they can bring when visiting don't be shy- say 'dinner'!
V pillows are great!

Batch cook. Fill the freezer with portions of stuff plus veg that you can just chuck in the microwave. Freeze a few links of milk too - I kept running out.
Do an online shop so you have the list saved (including nappies etc) so that all you need to do is press 'buy'
Stock up on basics like washing powder and loo roll.
Have some ready mix formula and bottles in just in case - breast feeding can be really tough. The advice above about getting them to take a bottle is really good. You WILL need a break.
Don't stress about the birth plan - be flexible.
Buy one of those sofa arm tray table things (IKEA do them) because you will be welded to the sofa for hours at a time.
Sleep. I haven't slept more than an hour at a time for months now.

Get a insulated mug.

Also, while some people find expressing and giving a bottle gives them a break, this isn't the case for everyone. I struggled to express, and it was far easier to just feed the baby than to spend all my non-feeding time pumping so that someone else could feed her.

So I suppose my other piece of advice is to take the advice that works for you and cheerfully ignore the rest (having considered any safety implications etc).