Advice for my pregnant friend

general

The baby markets are great www.babyandchildrensmarket.co.uk
Have a look at the Family hub I found it very beneficial for both Owen and I https://share.google/mgVcdOgWoRtuDTPny
Write everything down, you will forget within seconds and then wish you had. I started when Owen was 2 months. 22/05/25 Owen laughed for the first time. Id have never remembered that had I not wrote it down, I can barely remember what we had for tea yesterday anymore
Get someone to go on Facebook for you and look for clothes. they hardly get worn and we managed to get 0-12 months for like £60. saved a ton of money

Ginger biscuits will help with nausea
Book yourself on an Antenatal class it will help you feel more prepared
Research labour medication. I took Pethidine, I regret it, it made me extremely lethargic which was great for the pain I was in…. But it slowed the labour down to basically nothing.
Note that if you had an induction they will not let you in the labour room, they don’t tell you this. this labour room is far nicer. Ask for a look when you’re at the hospital it will be worth seeing it. The pool was amazing and if you can get it get it (they’re not always available)

Hospital bag checklist - Best Start in Life - NHS https://share.google/WZPo6irKnYQQ6hzrB
Reusable breast pads
A portable fan!
You will need these! - Always Discreet for Sensitive Bladder Pants (5 Drop) Medium - 72 Pants (6 pack bundle) - Boots https://share.google/FjNU6mHVNAngE9112
Premade first milk in small bottles. I used this to drip onto my nipple to get Owen interested
Snacks / fluids for you AND your partner
I wore long t-shirt dresses in labour or was naked. Note though that if you’re being monitored you will need something that they can access around your waste to put the belts
Get this - if you split or get cut you will need it - https://myexpertmidwife.com/products/spritz-for-bits

Don’t stress too much about your ideal birth. You’ll never know until you’re in the moment, then just go with what feels right!
If you back hurts ask for a heat pad - they will not give you one unless you ask and it helps so much
Practice your pelvic floor. You push back to front, almost like you’re having a poo, rather than your normal pelvic floor exercises
Try and rest as much as you can during early labour, you will need the energy
Research internal cervix dilation checks, you don’t have the have them, they hurt, if you’re not dilated enough when you get to the hospital they will send you home - if they don’t check they won’t know. It really hurts.
Try and wee before your labour gets too far gone. if your bladder is full they will need to put a catheter in to empty it or your bladder can get damaged.

You will have to really squeeze your nipples to get the colostrum out to feed baby. It will hurt. Do it
For the first 5 days I think I slept approx 4 hours. You will be tired. You will get through it
Try and get out the house for short walks, it’s good for you and baby
Accept help - and food - you’ll need it
Took approx 8 weeks to fully heal and my stomach to reduce down
Was approx 2 months before Owen would be put down to sleep. Don’t panic. Just enjoy the cuddles
Make sure you set up shifts for the night. You don’t need to both be up at the same time, we tried this it was such a silly idea as we were both just exhausted.

Next to me cot (for the first 6 months)
Baby bath
Don’t buy too many breast feeding gadgets incase it doesn’t work because you’ll waste your money. most things are on Amazon (pumps etc.) get them when you know you’re maintaining a good feed.
Don’t buy a Haka, they’re rubbish!
https://amzn.eu/d/086HSQN7
We preferred Asda nappies for first size
Extra large muslins are pretty useless opt for fabric square size
Really useful if baby has trapped gas https://www.boots.com/infacol-oral-suspension-55ml-10257859