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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

What do you wish you knew during pregnancy?

40 replies

NewbieT · 06/07/2010 15:15

Hello mums out there,

With the benefit of hindsight, is there anything you wish you'd done (or not done) in pregnancy that you could let us first-timers know about? I have already picked up a few idea here, such as vitamin E cream for stretchmarks, pelvic floor exercises and massaging the perineum (quite an eye-opener learning about that one!), just wondering what other tips are out there?

Thanks!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

AliBaba40 · 07/07/2010 09:18

Don't go shopping for any maternity/baby stuff without a friend in tow who has at least one child.

They'll be able to tell you what you actually need (and, more importantly, what the shop assistant will try to sell you but you really really don't need). If they bring their child, great - use the little one to test drive pushchairs and get a feel for what it's really like!

Original poster

NewbieT · 07/07/2010 10:17

Wow, great tips ladies, thank you one and all! Valuable info, you don't get sort of stuff in baby books... Who knew bumcheeks needed to be lotioned up too!

OP posts:

Beveridge · 07/07/2010 10:25

Flipflops.

Maternity wards are full of women mincing about like John Wayne because of their undercarriage anyway, but the fact that your shoes don't fit doesn't help.

(I bought a nice pair of mule-type slippers at 30 weeks for my hospital bag. Then my feet swelled up at 34 weeks and I didn't think far enough ahead....)

redblue · 07/07/2010 10:29

not had time to read all this thread (although I have read and agree with fruitstick's post above) but having now had 2 babies in quick succession I remember the midwife about a fortnight before my first baby was born saying to me, if you are the kind of person who likes to go out for a pub meal or similar night out even if just occasionally with your other half you should be going out as a couple EVERY NIGHT between now and the birth. We didn't and she was right. You never appreciate the cost of babysitters till you realise you cannot do something like that without one. Also indulge yourself with a purchase for you which you wouldn't otherwise buy. For similar reasons - i.e. if you are planning on going back to work, the shock of the enormous proportion of your monthly salary which goes on childcare / nursery fees is one you will never appreciate before you have babies so have one last fling and get that luxury purchase for yourself whatever it is, it might be a while before you can spoil yourself again

mattymam · 07/07/2010 10:38

Don't buy any clothes other than vests and sleepsuits in an asortment of sizes, tiny baby, newborn, 0-3 months etc. My DD was 7lbs and at 11 weeks is only just big enough for 0-3 month stuff.

Be really persistant with midwives, I was so tired throughout my pregnancy and it wasnt until I was in Labour that I found out my iron levels had been extremely low throughout.

Buy things like new bras as and when you need them, but don't go mad buying lots of expensive maternity clothes until you know that is what you want to wear, I lived in leggings and smock tops in the end.

If you have a good pregnancy enjoy it and if you don't console yourself with the fact you probably find having a newborn relatively easy.

YouCantTeuchThis · 07/07/2010 10:47

for the hospital - get nighties and cheap jammy bottoms. Genius.

nighty covers any leakage (oh yes, there will be!) on the jammies.

I wish I knew that my boobs would start to leak well before the birth, and had kept a stock of breastpads in bag/at work/etc.

I wish I had stopped trying to be 'efficient mum-to-be' and just put down the goddamn lists and read a book, watched a film, ate more magnums on the sofa

Sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep. I know you can't stock up, but do it anyway

Flash wipes for your hospital bag.

Arnica pills for your labour bag.

splodge77 · 07/07/2010 12:56

bosom-wise, i am 13 weeks and mine are huge and sore! i tried loads of shops and a million bras until finally finding a Bravado bra for £24 which is soooo comfy. it has no underwiring and a crossover style at the front - you can even wear it in bed. highly recommend it for comfort tho its not too glam (maternity bras don't tend to be!)

Mookymoo · 07/07/2010 13:11

Get some maternity wear that seems really big in the early stages. In the later stages you won't think it's worth buying things for such a small amount of time, but you will quickly get bored of the same couple of pairs of jogging bottoms! (as I am now)

SkiHorseWonAWean · 07/07/2010 13:49

I'd have started my maternity leave earlier - I only had one day because he came early!
Related to one, I'd have made sure I had more newborn clothes. I was waiting for my ML to start to go shopping... I cried in the hospital thinking I was a "bad mummy" because I didn't have enough clothes for him. *

*Thought I was being clever waiting for July sales - he arrived July 1st!

lovebugs · 07/07/2010 17:04

flipflops for the shower-you are bleeding, so was the woman who had a shower before you and no cleaner went in after her!
wetwipes-if you cant get out of bed and need to freshen up.
lipbalm for the effects of gas and air
extra large nighties-i was in agony after my section and couldnt bend down to put pjs on, mil was sent out to buy the biggest and finest granny style knickers and nighties Primark has to offer!
Peppermint tea-c-section wind hurts, a lot!

Original poster

NewbieT · 07/07/2010 20:05

Touched and grateful for all your wonderful advicem ladies, thank you

OP posts:

KAEKAE · 21/09/2010 09:13

Photos of being pregnant! I hated my photo being taken when I was pregnent and deleted them all - at the time I felt horrid, but now I wished I hadn't, just to have them for my eyes only would have been better than only ending up with the rare one I have and a few bump pictures.

PenguinsMummy · 21/09/2010 11:29

Don't take too much to hospital - with DD1 I didn't open the bag and with DD2 didn't even have time to get the bag out of the car as she arrived 10 minutes after we got there.

And you don't need a really detailed birth plan - just outline the basics - things rarely go according to plan and at the time you will do whatever it takes to ensure that your baby gets out safely - your body is very smart.

You don't need a full travel system - you will end up buying a decent folding Maclaren anyway that is light and easy to use and folds quickly. Otherwise you will end up with 4 prams like me........

Rocklover · 21/09/2010 12:38

I wish I'd known that:

It's ok not to be excited all the way through

Pregnancy sickness does not shift at 12 weeks

No matter what anyone tells you about birth, you'll get through it ok

It's always best to expect the unexpected

You can never be fully prepared for having a baby, no matter how much shopping you've done

Stretch mark creams don't make a difference, it's all in the genes

I could go on, but I'm not sure I'm being much help here.

Tinwe · 21/09/2010 20:40

Just read this thread with interest as this is my first too. Strangely it's cheered me up as I was feeling down today!

'Specially is useful is the "to buy or not to buy" info as we're broke and DP was v annoyed the other day when we passed a baby shop and he saw the prices! I spent today wandering round town pondering whether it's too early to buy maternity pants (trousers) (I'm in my 9th week)...

Thank you very much ladies for taking the time to educate us newbies

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