MSE Pregnancy Club 24

Gillyx

hospital I'd say essentials are

Something to give birth in, nighty, vest top, the nuddy if you really want to, they'l have seen it
lounge clothes/pj's for the post natal ward (you never know how long you'l have to stick around) and if you plan on trying b-feeding, something with easy access to the boob department, you will be opening that often :rotfl:
slippers or flip flops for walking around
BIG knickers
maternity pads (lots of them)
Phone charger (baby will probably sleep loads after birth and you won't and hospital wards are boring)
Snacks (they forgot my dinner first night and I was starving)
Breast Pads for the leaky milk

For home, comfy pj's/lounge clothes, and yep more maternity pads. xx

happydays77_2

Id definitely take Vaseline as after that gas and air your lips become really dry!

katyj10

I can echo everything Gilly said as totally essential.

Definitely overload on the maternity pads and I found the chunky ones coped better than the slimline ones at first as you are changing them that often. Supermarket own brand ones are the cheapest and you will need a few packs. And then a few more packs at home!

I found the disposable pants a bit rubbish (and very unflattering :rotfl:) so will just go with some big cheap knickers to throw away this time.

Take some nappy sacks and then you can bag up your pads and any rubbish to throw away - it can be messy - and if you're bed bound it'll help you feel more organised.

My LO didn't sleep after birth and was crying all night so my phone was the last thing on my mind but hey ho!

What I found really helpful in hospital was my own pillow and nice cosy pillowcase (brushed cotton) on it, for holding the baby on, feeding attempts and for me as an extra pillow if the baby was in her cot. I kept it in a large plastic bag away from me during the birth to keep it clean lol!

Other than that, take some face wipes or baby wipes for yourself as it can get hot in the hospital ward. I had a flannel dampened down during the birth and that helped a bit on my forehead. Don't bother with loads of toiletries (none for baby) but a small bottle of shampoo for you. You may not feel like using shower gels or scented products etc after giving birth (especially down there) as it will be tender.

Think about the things you use every day. Be it lip balm, deodorant or moisturiser and any other home comforts. You will appreciate them when it calms down a bit. Things like make up lose their importance (well they did for me) once the baby was coming.

We took a big bag of food and snacks in but never really touched them, I just didn't feel like it and felt a bit nauseous after the birth (the McDonalds vanilla milkshake may not have helped here!!).

I got a bounty pack on the ward which had a few bits in it too but it gets ridiculous the amount of bags and stuff you end up carting in and out of the hospital.

Oh, and take your camera as you will want those first moments on record, definitely!

Hope that helps.

x

rjh090384

Thanks girls. Managed to sleep another few hours. Still very sore now. Pain seems to be spreading round my back. Doesn't feel like my normal stretching pain. Gonna give it another few hours and see how I feel x

I never had the whole waters show thing cos I was induced with my first. Bit worried I have no idea what to expect this time.

Gonna attempt to move from bed now and put some washing in. Probably eat again then try do some revision.

Kitten_Pie

lots of pads, lip balm because your lips will get very dry.

My waters broke at the Co-op and contractions started minutes later.

RebekahR

sexymouse wrote: »

I'm up at stupid o'clock as I'm roasting hot - we were going to have the bedroom window open last night, but as soon as we got into bed, a mosquito came in, so we had to close it again and Moon had to catch the mosquito before it bit me. Have just been researching those mosquito nets you can get to stick on your windows. Anyone used one before? Looked into airconditioning units too, but think they're a bit too expensive.

Bean is awake and kicking me too, and it's starting to get light outside. The dawn chorus started at around 3am. I'm hoping that the weather today will be a bit cooler, and I may be able to sneak in a daytime nap to make up for my being awake now.

Hugs to anyone who needs or wants them.

sexymouse xx

Ye. I got the cheap nets that come with velcro from ebay! Does the job and can rip it down in winter. That is if you don't mind velcro staying up all year round :rotfl: But its same colour as my window so don't care. Slept okish here. Full of wind though - tell me something new ye lol. Eyes itchy today. Dunno if it's from hayfever kicking in or just tierdness. Driving back to Winchester later on today. Not sure when yet but not looking forward to driving east in the heat :eek:

twinklie

Thanks ladies, spot the idiot. Are maternity pads different to heavy flow sanitary towels then?

Clearly need to copy all this advice into a word doc...I'll never find it again later.

RebekahR

rjh090384 wrote: »

I shall accept your hug and return one to you. My dd is away so was looking forward to lie in. No such luck. Now I'm awake and tired and hot and feeling really achy from drive yesterday particularly in groin type muscles. Just took some paracetamol praying for sleep to come again

Xxxx

We suffer together! I got sore buttocks and hips.Right buttock is bad from walking. I just hate this buttock pain it nearly kills me :mad: I'm not good at being slowed down/limited. Big hugs to you xx

sexymouse

Luckily I managed to get back to sleep again for a little while after I'd posted, so feeling a bit more human now. Think Moon and I are off to a school summer fayre this afternoon and then on to Starbucks for their 2for1 frappaccinos (3-5pm every day until 5th June if anyone is interested). I'm off to investigate what they have as I've not been in for a while due to not being able to drink tea or coffee - I'm intending to have something fruit-based if they have them.

Kitten_Pie

twinklie wrote: »

Thanks ladies, spot the idiot. Are maternity pads different to heavy flow sanitary towels then?

Clearly need to copy all this advice into a word doc...I'll never find it again later.

Yes

The heavy flow sanitary towels should be fine after a few days but you will want the maternity ones initially. Last time I stole a box from the hospital they are thicker and add a layer of protection.

I have heard not sure if it was on here or somewhere else that the tena lady heavy flow works well.