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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Best tips ever!!! Add yours...

169 replies

notsolilKel · 27/01/2007 16:02

Hello ladies,

As a second timer I felt it would be helpful if I started a list of absolute best tips for mums-to-be. I just wish someone had told me a few things before I appeared at hospital to give birth...

For example: take very dark bath towels, black if possible (though admittedly a tad unstylish). You will bleed more than you think possible, and these will save you when emerging from bathrooms...

Also, take something to drink. I could not get enough Citrus Lemon Lucozade, for example. Water is freely available but it can get a bit dull after you've had 20 litres or so!

Looking forward to reading everyone else's best advice !

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Coolmama · 27/01/2007 16:09

pack a little blusher, powder, mascara and lip gloss for those "baby's first day" pictures -
buy multi-pack pants that you are happy to throw out to use with maternity pads rather than those horrendous disposable panties.

  • pack of antibacterial wipes
  • slippers
  • sure there are loads more!
ProfYaffle · 27/01/2007 16:12

If you're having a c/s make sure you have everything you need within arm's reach of your bed. I only realised after dh left that my carefully packed bag had been tucked behind the bed and I couldn't reach anything in it.

Oh, and make sure you have money to buy a card for the tv/phone thing by the bed.

lulumama · 27/01/2007 16:32

anti bac hand gel and wipes....hospitals not always as clean as you would hope

big big granny pants, not paper pants...if you have a c.s, paper pants cut right into the incision site.....!

research your plans for the birth......find out more about birth, the hospitals stats for c.s and instrumental delivery...make informed choices.....

a handbag sized travel fan ...labour and post natal wards are hot , even in winter !

lissielou · 27/01/2007 16:41

nighties not pjs, so much comfier whether cs or nd, and less messy

Original poster
notsolilKel · 27/01/2007 19:02

buy babygrows which wrap around rather than pull over the head. If there's anything a brand new baby hates more than being changed, it's having something pulled over their wee heads...!!

OP posts:
NbgsYellowFeathers · 27/01/2007 19:06

Take lots of snacky things so if your feeling peckish you only have to go into your cupboard rather than wait for a visitor to come or leave your baby so you can go to the hospital shop.

Leave things out for the baby on a night if your staying in that is. So when baby wakes in the night your not clambering to find nappies, cotton wool etc.

PeachyClair · 27/01/2007 19:23

Tiredness is linked to nausea, so the best thing to do if you get pregnancy sickness is take to your bed. And if you can't eat don't fret, but do try to keep up your fluids, melon / ice pops / lettuce are all good for that and easy on the stomach.

Take your camera instructions, the flourescent strip lights in hospitals can p[lay havoc with your pictures

Take some dried fruit if you might have to stay in; constipation is bad enough when you haven't just given birth!

And take magazines rather than books, as you'll find you're a lot mroe likely to be able to read short, snappy articles. Its a good idea to take them for antenatal appointments too, as the wait can be hefty

Oh and something I found- I had a decent antenatal bubble bath (the avent one) and used it directly after birth,, I then used the same one for Christenings / forst birthday- and the smell to this day takes me back to a very happy time

taylormama · 27/01/2007 19:27

flip flops for the shower
lavender oil for your post birth bath and
nice toiletries
arnica

Original poster
notsolilKel · 27/01/2007 19:27

take a big tube of Anusol and/or homeopathic Aloes (ask your chemist). the piles after pg can be killer!!

OP posts:
karenj1980 · 27/01/2007 19:34

Definatley agree on the PATHETIC paper pants - what a waste of money.

I wish that someone told me about what weeing was like after birth ifkwim. But then my pain threshold is different to you so it might not hurt you at all so don't read into this too much. It hurt! So I wouldn't drink a much fluid as I didn't want to go to wee. The morale of the story is DEFINATELY drink lots of water/fluids and your wee is less concentrated. I could of kissed my HV when she convinced me on this and she was right.

Apart from that my only suggestion is to enjoy it and just go with the flow.

I was asked what my birth plan was by my MW - I just said your the boss you tell me to what to do!

And for a first timer (and I was a bit scared) I enjoyed giving birth.

Good luck to all mums to be.

I can't wait to have another baby or two but SSssh don't tell my hubby lol x

littlepiggie · 27/01/2007 19:43

Anybody that tells you there baby slept right through the night at 6 weeks, then never had a bad night is talking from there bottom. (Had many night i thought my baby not sleeping was my fault).

Babies cry...alot.

It takes more than 2 weeks untill you have a flat tummy again.

Lots of cheep soft cotton knickers, can be thrown in the bin or washed and used again.

Family/friend dont have a god give right to visit as soon as the baby is born, chances are most will not visit again for another 2 months.

Dont listen to anybody that tells you there house was spotless even with 3 young children, when you know you have a weeks worth of washing ustairs still to do.

Put a hair brush with babies nappies, at least then you know you will remember to brush you hair.

Put cloths on as soon as you get up, even if you have not had a shower, you can always go later in the day.

PeachyClair · 27/01/2007 19:49

If wee'ing stings after birth, the trick is to pour luke warm water over you as you wee. It does work.

Gingerbear · 27/01/2007 20:06

Pee in the shower if it stings

DollyPopsOut · 27/01/2007 20:27

Flip flops for the shower.

Dried fruit (lots!) for the post delivery bowels. Makes that scary first poo much easier!

Black and white film for the camera.

Notebook for all the Qs you have - could never remember them all when someone came round.

Once home, stay in your PJs for a week. I didn't do this last time and wish I had. Normal clothes make people forget that you have just had a baby, possibly surgery, stitches in your fanny etc - never hurts to remind people that it aint called labour for nothing and the baby was not delivered along with the milk !

TravellingontheClaphamOmnibus · 27/01/2007 20:34

Be prepared for the 3 day blues post-birth.

Bodkin · 27/01/2007 22:24

Don't invite both grandmas to visit new grandchild together at the same time, 3 days after you have given birth, especially if they have never met before

lissielou · 27/01/2007 22:25

babygros with scratchmits built in!!!! a godsend

lulumama · 27/01/2007 22:38

have a pad or a wodge of loo paper by the bath, so as soon as you get out , you can put the pad / paper on are not bleed all over the floor..especially for the first week when the loss is really heavy

also, a pad to hold against your stitches when you go for a poo...even if no stitches you can feel like your fanjo needs holding up,

and plenty of dried fruit for making sure you don;t get constipated

Emzickle · 28/01/2007 10:43

I became wee phobic after the birth of my little girl, it was horrid - in the shower everytime!

Buy cotton pants and chuck them away

When DH went back to work, I put a note on the door telling people I was trying to rest and not to bother knocking as I wouldnt answer.

Do not feel like you have to do what people tell you. Do what feels right.

Get some one you really want to come and help. My MIL in law only left after I lost me temper and chucked the house phone at her. Coose wisely!

wilkie50 · 28/01/2007 10:55

Take a bottle of cordial when labouring - water in hosp was rank without cordial in it!

Don't forget a big bottle of yummy moisturiser for your tum (I totally forgot and my tum felt dry and itchy after giving birth)

I second the suggestion of holding a clean sanitary pad against stitches for those first post-birth poos!

I didn't take maternity pads, took Kotex ones that didn't have the plasticky top cover as I found it irritated me. The Kotex super ones without wings have a cotton top layer - so much more gentle.

Antibac hand gel - a godsend!

Flannel for labour so DH/DP can soak it in cold water and slap it on your face (bliss to feel the water dribbling down your face and neck!

Bucketsofdynomite · 28/01/2007 16:31

A peppermint teabag or two - you may end up with a caesarean and trapped wind is a very painful after effect when combined with breastfeeding afterpains and fresh scar. You never know .
Matalan is the best place for cheap plain black cotton pants, midi style ones will go under your bump fine.

DaisyMOO · 28/01/2007 16:54

Remember to check the temperature of the warm water you pour over your bits when you wee - I forgot and poured almost-scal;dingly hot water over my very tender stitches

Don't be afraid to ask visitors to leave if they overstay their welcome; this isn't the time for being polite!

gegs73 · 29/01/2007 10:14

If you have time try and take some food into the hospital with you. I had ds1 in the middle of the night and nowhere was open when I went onto the ward to buy food and I was more than peckish! Ended up eating cashew nuts - only thing dh could find.

Lavender oil for post baby baths works wonders on stiches.

All bran. The first post baby poo is almost as traumatic as the birth and this stuff makes it easier

Buy more baby gros than you think you need. I had 3 and 3 vests all of which were dirtied within the first 6 hours of ds1 being home. Had to resort to second or even third hand ones from Granny's to suppliment possibly from when her own boys were young with rips in until we could get ourselves down the shops.

If your local hospital is like ours make sure you take change for the car park.

Bucketsofdynomite · 29/01/2007 20:38

Stock up on looroll when it's on offer, you wee loads in the last weeks of pregnancy and then there's the lochia afterwards, plus visitors.
When you get home set visiting hours, say 2pm-7pm. You won't want to be dressed before lunchtime for weeks and if you're breastfeeding (or trying to) early evening's a good time to fill up the baby then straight to sleep for you until the next feed.

Spidermama · 29/01/2007 20:42

Perineal tear?
Avoid the nasty sting by weeing in the bath, even if it means running a small bath every time you wee. There's no sting at all. It also helps keep the wound clean whilst healing.

Fidgetty between contractions? Find a job to do. Cook or bake something. Or clean the house. (Skirting board dusting is extra good for optimal foetal positioning.) You'll be glad of it later.