What do you wish you had done before your baby was born?

[Pac35]

Just that really. I am 39+3 today with my first baby. I started mat leave last week. Despite all my best efforts (spinning babies techniques for weeks, 2x ECV, swimming every other day, moxibustion, acupuncture) my baby is STILL breech. I have a caesarean booked for Thursday (here's hoping it might still move!)

I feel like everything is ready- bag packed, have seen friends, had a pedicure, cleaned and tidied the house 😂

Having the (one could say) luxury of knowing the date. Can anyone suggest anything they did or wish they did in the last few days before their baby arrived?

The advice I got from MN when I was in the same place was to get my hair done, have a manicure and remove hair down there. I also got the pedicure. It was excellent advice, especially removal of hair. Post delivery it’s a mess.

I would also add that breastfeeding is really hard. You will need support unless you are that unicorn that just magically breastfeeds. Get the numbers for the groups that help plugged into your phone.

Other than that relax and sleep. You won’t get another chance to.

Get some photographs with your bump, even if you don't like the way you look right now.

Everyone told me to do this, but I despised my pregnant appearance and avoided cameras like the plague. But they were all right. I so wish I had more, especially because I have some complex feelings about my own emergency cesarean. I wish I had more reminders of the natural bit I did on my own before I needed help.

Good luck and congrats xxxxx

Lie down every afternoon between 2-4. Good training for you and the baby for daytime napping after the birth

Watched some YouTube videos of women breast feeding to get an idea of holds, positions, etc.
Known that the advice midwives and health visitors isn't necessarily the most helpful or the only option.
Bought some snacks to make up snack boxes to get me through the long nights while baby slept on me as she wouldn't sleep any other way.
Line up some good TV to watch while baby sleeps on you.
Buy a donut cushion if you have an episiotomy.
Consider an amazon prime subscription so you can get things delivered quickly.
Stock up on paracetamol and ibuprofen, I was counting down the minutes to when I could take my next dose.
Have a bag/basket/box to keep next to you with snacks, books, phone charger, water, painkillers, when you're stuck under the baby and don't want to move.
Put a jug in the bathroom ready to poor warm water on your bits when you wee if you have stitches. Maybe salt to add to the water too.
Some jobs for your partner to do around the house to keep them busy while on paternity leave. Mine seemed to think it was a bit of a holiday which was highly irritating! Perhaps some batch cooking.

More snacks and bottles of water in my suitcase. (I was really well looked after with snacks actually but I was thirsty all the time)

Colostrum (was a lifesaver for me! I got 30 x 1ml syringes saved)

Slept more!

More batch cooking (although my family made us loads so we were lucky)

Had a lovely meal with DH as since DD has been here that's all off the cards!

My single biggest regret though... not saving more for nursery fees! 💸💸💸

Going out for a nice meal before I had my first, and getting my hair done before both kids.

left my exH before he was my H.

Watch a bunch of feel-good films you like - your concentration span plus sleep levels will make this impossible later. I was really looking forward to my maternity leave but uh I was self-employed and it didn't happen. I planned for two weeks off sitting on the sofa watching films but I ended up working & then my family came v excited to meet a grandchild & so I had to find them all stuff to do to feel helpful (they were but it wasn't the same as sitting on my own eating biscuits and watching Pretty Woman) but I only finally had her the day before they were due to fly home. :)

Totally agree about no visitors after, wish I'd put my foot down - my MIL came for 10 days and it was horrific. Good luck Op, enjoy.