Not long to go. How are you preparing for childbirth?

[Bookworm83]

I'm 33+1 today. I'm really trying hard to wrap my head around the fact that this baby really is coming and it really is me who will have to push him out. It's still so abstract to me.

How are you ladies preparing for the big day? Mentally, but also practically?

So far I have done the following:

• started packing my hospital bag (I'm about halfway done)
• hired a wonderful doula and met with her twice so far
• scheduled a hospital tour for next week
• been to a birthing class (my hospital only offers 1 session)
• signed up for a physiotherapy birthing class later this month
• read several books on positive birthing
• started an online Hypnobirthing course (I'm about halfway through that now)
• started drinking raspberry leaf tea
• got perineum massage oil ready to start applying from 34 weeks
• got my birth plan ready

I feel like I've done all I could to prepare myself, but how come do I still feel so lost? It's hard to describe this feeling but it's as if my brain doesn't really believe that this really is about to happen.

What else could I do, any suggestions?

I'm expecting number two soon and I feel the same way! It hasn't sunk in properly that I'll be giving birth again! Following to see if anyone else has any tips!

Wow, I think you're doing everything possible to prepare. Well done! I'm 31+2 with my first and as I'm in the process of moving house I haven't started any preparations for birth. To be honest I'm completely petrified and burying my head in the sand about what is coming my way. I have heard great things about the online hypnobirthing courses and raspberry leaf tea. I intend to start both within the next couple of weeks. I will also start reading positive birthing books. I cannot believe how quickly the months have passed with this pregnancy.

I'm 33 weeks tomorrow. Practically I'm all ready to go but mentally I'm nervous, scared, excited, terrified just so many emotions. It's my first baby. I've read some books but cant afford the classes offered so wont be attending any of them. I'm trying to get my head around that fact I will be giving birth and trying to just stay calm and go with it. I haven't done a birth plan as of yet but I dont want to be too specific I just want it to be as calm as possible.
Sounds like you're a lot more organised and ready than me.

You are rediculously organised 😂 I’m 35 weeks & so far, I have done nothing. This is my second though, so I’m fairly chill. All the baby stuff is in the loft.. I need to get my OH to lug it down soon!

With my first, I went to NCT classes, wrote a very brief birth plan & packed my hospital bag around 36 weeks. That was literally it. This time, no classes but I do need to pack my hospital bag & scribble some birth notes. I think you are overthinking it a bit.. baby will come out with or without such preparation! You are very well prepared, now start enjoying these remaining child free weeks! Life will never be the same again, in both a positive but sometimes hard way! Enjoy lie ins at the weekend, enjoy sleeping all night long, enjoy meals out just the two of you whenever you fancy. Enjoy cinema trips. Enjoy lazy Sundays on the sofa watching adult TV. Enjoy being able to leave the house by simply putting a coat on & stepping out the door. All these things you will miss it’s of course worth it but sometimes you do miss bits of your pre-child life! So make the most of it now!

Hi!
I'm 35 weeks pregnant, mine and baby's bags are packed. Everything is basically sorted at home, I just need to wash the baby's bedding and buy some nappies and wipes.
This is baby number 3 and he's predicted big so I'm having extra scans.
I'm seen in 3 weeks for my last scan to see how much more he has grown and will be booked for an induction or a c section.. Now i feel like I have 0 time and I'm feeling anxious lol.

I can't suggest anything more you could do, you sound very prepared!!

You sound very organised! I'm 37 weeks and only just doing birth plan and hospital bag. The one thing I have been doing is eating dates. There are a few small scale studies suggesting they reduce the need for induction. May be an old wives tale but can't see any harm in trying!

Thank you all for replying. I do try to be organised but I'm still not sure my head is ready for what's about to come, haha!

@bol87 you're very right, the baby will come regardless! And I know I'm an over-thinker, always have been...

@keha I've not heard of that thing about dates, interesting! I do love dates so definitely worth a try!

Wow I am 32+1 and have made a half hearted attempt to pack a hospital bag but it’s not gone well 😂 bought most of the stuff we need but built nothing... good job I finish work on Friday really!

I’m 39+4 and have been so calm up until the last week or so just with feeling tightenings! It’s making it all more real and I’m not able to avoid the fear 😂

I can’t recommend the positive birth company enough on insta, their book and their Freya app (great for timing contractions). Last night I had a real panic and lit a candle and listened to their affirmations and it made me feel so much more calm.

Try mediating a few times and it really does help you tense less

35 weeks today and have all the stuff ready for after the baby is born (although its number 2 so just involved getting stuff from the loft really) but not done much prep for the birth.
Planning for a home birth so I need to get some bits for the house like towels and spare sheets.
Have packed hospital bag.
Havent bothered with NCT or antenatal classes this time. I did NCT and Daisy hypnobirthing last time but didnt find them that useful.

Wow! Im 34ish and done nothing of the sort! Ive been to birthing classes the hospital offers but thats it, and thats only because the midwife said directly 'have you booked in for the classes?'. This is my first and ive always been really chilled out about things, but I really need to get my stuff together!