OK - countdown begins - 11 weeks today (if he's on time, which I realise is unlikely!)
So what would be your top tips for preparing for and giving birth and the early weeks with baby number 1?
I'm keen to hear from dads too - if you have any hints I can pass on to T.
I've decided to go with a hospital birth - I realised that I tend to worry about every new twinge, pain etc, so thought I'd be most comfortable with more medical staff and equipment about. And I would like to keep things as natural as possible, but obviously have no idea how painful it could be (although T says I'm very good at withstanding pain).
I plan to pack my hospital bag on first day of Mat leave, and stock the freezer with homemade prepared meals so there's one thing less to worry about early on. T will be having the two weeks of paternity leave and then hopefullly one week annual leave, so he can do everything else while I'm busy sleeping (i hope - occassionally!) and feeding baby.
lottie
Errm it was such a long time ago.
I guess not keeping your legs crossed when the birth is imminent is an important one
Sorry - don't mean to be flippant. Although giving birth has never changed - all the advice and precedures sure have since I had mine.
So really don't feel qualified to give you any. My daughter in law read everything going, and off the internet, and it is not a criticism of her or my son doing so, it seems to be the modern way - I really don't think that any of it helped a great deal in the end. Nature is not an exact science - and each person's experience and reactions are totally different.
Midwives, doctors, and hospitals seem to have different ideas too.
I am sure it will go well - my only tip would be to try not to listen to all those people who say:
'When I had my first........' Every one is different.
Do what you feel is right for you and your husband.
alison
Well done, not long now then!
My OH was pleased with some rolls and cakes in the freezer, ready to get out at a moments notice, and some cartons of drinks with straws, for both of us. (Our fist wasn't according to plan and I had a 2 day labour, and didn't really want him leaving so they were really needed too)
Accept any help from anyone when they come and visit. Have a drink station ready and make them use it, not you waiting on them.
If necessary say it isn't convinient and that you need to sleep.
Bovey Belle
I had my easiest birth when I was at my fittest. This was with my middle child (Gabby). She was slightly smaller than her elder sister and 2 lbs lighter than her younger brother, but I think the birth was easier as I was still mucking out several horses up until a week or so before she was born, and I did a lot of marching up and down whilst I was in labour (gravity and all that!!!) I breast fed all mine, and that helped with my post-birth weight-loss, though I think bottle fed babies seem to sleep through the night earlier. I fed on demand, and after the first couple of weeks was so sleep deprived I'd have given anything for a good night's sleep : ( Oh, and if they suggest breaking your waters in the early stages of labour "to get you going", tell them to buzz off! Mine are 20, 18 and nearly 16 now, so it seems a long time ago, but the magic of that first baby coming into the world has no comparison.
Leonie2
My best advice is to be relaxed, don't allow yourself to become anxious or frightened and don't be scared or too proud to ask for pain relief if you need it, that's what it was invented for. Have an idea about how you would like things to go, what pain relief you'd prefer etc, but go with the flow, if things change during labour don't be hell bent on sticking to your plans
Becki
Keep mobile. Walking around alot in the first stages of labour helpt me with the pain (only needed gas and air - wonderful stuff) and try and stay upright as much as poss, let gravity do the trick. I did this with middle one and had a 1/2hr labour from start to finish
Aqui
mobility and relaxation. check.
They are both key factors in my birth plan.
I'm feeling a bit let anxious about it all now. My main worry is about having the energy to do it. I tend to get low blood sugar if I expend a lot of energy, but do not eat much. I will have to talk to midwife about that next week.
Becki
You will really have enough energy when the time comes, believe me. Take a sugary drink in with you, or some chocolate or something?
Leonie2
I had glucose sweets with me but never remembered to eat any, like becki says you will get the energy don't you worry
Cabbagepatch
Aqui, I get the wibbles when I don't eat regularly but I think our bodies release all sorts of hormones, chemicals, adrenalin etc during labour so when it comes to the "busy bit" you have plenty of energy
Jamanda
Don't get pre-eclampsia and need an emergency c-section. That's all the help I can be
mrutty
Take two different cameras and take photos with both. On are first the film was faulty (well really I blame the photo place but could never prove it) and we didn't have a single picture. This sent B into deep deep depression and to make up for it she had a milion and one photo sessions at those places in department stores at £150 a time (To be fair No1 daughter took a good picture and was their cover girl in the baby section for 6 years, didn't get paid for it but it was nice)
Rememeber to pack hat, mittens, wool jumper, etc for baby. Normally you only need the sleepsuit, etc but No 2 was not well on popping out and had to go in the old plastic bubble for a day to get her back to fighting fit (not pleasent and it sent B into even deeper depression)
Remember to enjoy it which what we did woth No3 child and guess what no depression. (We were pretty good by then at knowing what to do).
Don't be afraid to ask for the window to be opened, closed, can you go for a walk, etc, etc. The first time I think we were so confused by it all that we thought the staff would tell us what was best. By the last time it was much more a case of we knew what might work and so gave it a try, when it didn't we did something different.
Leonie2
and after having read mrutty's post please don't feel embarrased to admit or ask for help if you're feeling low after the birth. it can happen very easily and it's not something to be ashamed of. i didn't get depressed but having experienced how a baby can change everything in your life i can understand how easy it can be to feel low, I did get very tearful with breastfeeding in the beginning but got there in the end. and look out for Mr aqui too, it can be a big change for him as well.
(To be fair No1 daughter took a good picture and was their cover girl in the baby section for 6 years, didn't get paid for it but it was nice)