Handy Tips and Hints for Pregnant Ladies!

dubstarr · 23-03-2014 10:07am

Yes still have it separate.I had an emergency section on the last baby and it was so much handier having the bag within the bag.
Also if your gonna be breastfeeding stock up on your snacks now.You wont believe how hungry you will get.Also boxsets are great when you are up all night feeding.

lazygal · 23-03-2014 10:09am

contrary_mary wrote: »

Sorry it's probably against the spirit of the thread to request tips...

If you're having a planned section do you still need the separate labour bag? Is there anything else you need/don't need (except for extra clothes etc for you and babs due to the longer stay)? I'm working off the standard list the hospital gave me.

No. I had a small bag for waiting for theatre with magazines, slippers etc which himself put into my bag for the ward. He kept baby's first nappies and outfit in a Ziplocbag. The nurses like to get the fellas minding the baby while you're in recovery.
If you're having a planned section take your jewelry off and give it to your partner to mind. And buy loads of WHITE high waistline pants in penny's, comfort for the scar.

lazygal · 23-03-2014 11:00am

One good tip is to pack your hospital bag with your other half, go through exactly where everything is and it'll save the annoyance of him looking at the bag and asking you where things are.
I had two sections and used normal nighttime Always pads. Hated the hospital ones. Don't follow those hints to use witch hazel or arnica or anything else, manage your pain (ask if pain relief isn't offered afterwards or you miss a dose) and wash with water only. I followed the water only advice post sections and healed perfectly.
Before you get too uncomfortable grab your bag and head off somewhere alone for a few hours. It won't feel important at the time but savor being able to just go somewhere without having to bring a child and all their stuff.
Get highlights or whatever hair cuts you need on the two week maternity leave before baby comes because you'll feel better for it and you won't have time for long appointments in the newborn weeks/months.
Don't tell people your precise due date - I didn't and avoided all the 'any news' texts/emails/messages.

contrary_mary · 23-03-2014 12:22pm

lazygal wrote: »

No. I had a small bag for waiting for theatre with magazines, slippers etc which himself put into my bag for the ward. He kept baby's first nappies and outfit in a Ziplocbag. The nurses like to get the fellas minding the baby while you're in recovery.
If you're having a planned section take your jewelry off and give it to your partner to mind. And buy loads of WHITE high waistline pants in penny's, comfort for the scar.

Thanks for this, I was thinking I would just need a dressing gown, slippers and clothes for the baby. I assume they'll give me a surgical gown to wear myself? I've had a few ops over the years so I'm sorted wrt jewellery and nail varnish etc.

Actually there's a tip - I've heard of lots of people treating themselves to shellac before the birth - be warned that if you do end up having a section all nail varnish will have to come off!

Can I ask why the undies should be white? I've bought a few packs of the penney's pants but they're in black. I've already put them through the wash to ensure they don't have any loose fluff to stick to scars, but maybe there's another reason why they should be white?

lazygal · 23-03-2014 12:36pm

I found the black ones stuck fluff to the scar. Preferred white.

I have gel nails and had no problems. They looked at toes instead. I got two gowns before theatre, and I'd advise nighties not pjs after, much easier for the scar.

contrary_mary · 23-03-2014 12:50pm

lazygal wrote: »

I found the black ones stuck fluff to the scar. Preferred white.

I have gel nails and had no problems. They looked at toes instead. I got two gowns before theatre, and I'd advise nighties not pjs after, much easier for the scar.

Great thanks, hopefully my de-fluffing will have done the trick. Sorry i should have specified they generally need the toe-nails clear of polish

John Mason · 23-03-2014 1:09pm

lazygal wrote: »

Don't tell people your precise due date - I didn't and avoided all the 'any news' texts/emails/messages.

I am not sure about this, we have only told people the month and they are driving me
demented at the moment. they refuse to believe the month i have told them. i think it is worse :mad:

How Strange · 23-03-2014 2:26pm

Dubstarr said about bringing snacks if breastfeeding but I'd say get your partner to make you up a few sandwiches and some snacks and a large bottle of water. I prefer sparkling anyway so my bus band brought in 3 bottles. You get supper around 5pm and tea with a biccie around 8 and that's it until 8am.

I'll never forget how ravenous I was on the first night after my son was born. I devoured everything my husband brought in. The chances are you won't get much sleep regardless of feeding methods as everyone's babies are awake.

NamelessPhil · 23-03-2014 2:42pm

I used a pair of men's braces to keep my trousers up. The over-bump ones were always falling down. Ok, I did look a bit like Hardy from Laurel and Hardy near the end but it worked!

My most useful piece of maternity clothing was a black wrap dress. I could dress it up or down, wear it to work or out. I wore as my going home clothes because I'd had a section and everything was still swollen and sore. It covered everything up and looked good.

I found that my body took quite a while to get back to normal, I lost all the baby weight bar 4 kilos in the first couple of weeks but my shape had changed. Just before I went back to work I booked myself an appointment with a personal stylist. That helped a lot as it had been nearly a year since I'd worn my original work wardrobe, between pregnancy and maternity leave, and now I had some new clothes that fitted my new shape and I felt far more professional. The personal shopper was free and they worked within my budget and I got a great capsule wardrobe.

Neyite · 23-03-2014 4:40pm

Put a laundry basket with extra spare items for you and baby somewhere at home so if you do need another handful of underwear or night wear he goes there and brings you in the right ones.

A maternity pad stuck horizontally to the inside of your underwear post section helps protect you a bit against accidental knocks to your scar.

Get your partner to pack his own bag of spare T-shirt and socks and his own toilet bag to freshen up with deoderant and toothbrush. Hospitals are roasting you both could be there a while! Another tip for dads is to bring water and snacks for him. Paracetamol too. He isn't the patient so if the hospital heat gives him a headache the nurses can't give him anything.

Sarah Bear · 23-03-2014 8:31pm

Anybody got any tips on what I need to buy clothes wise for baby? I dunno if I'm buying too much or not enough!

pwurple · 23-03-2014 9:12pm

For newborn... 8 vest and 8 baabygros. Size 0-3 months.
We were given size 'newborn' and our newborn 8 pounder couldn't fit into them!

Chattastrophe! · 23-03-2014 9:14pm

Also you need more babygros than vests. I have packed away 0-3 size vests without even using them; however I cannot have enough babygros!

Sarah Bear · 23-03-2014 9:14pm

pwurple wrote: »

For newborn... 8 vest and 8 baabygros. Size 0-3 months.
We were given size 'newborn' and our newborn 8 pounder couldn't fit into them!

Think I may have bought too much.... :P

Are sleep suits and baby grows the same thing? I'm such a noob :P

How Strange · 23-03-2014 9:47pm

H&M do lovely vests for newborns up to 3 months they have poppers so you put them on like a shirt rather than over the head. Very useful for taking off when they poop all the way up to their neck.

lazygal · 23-03-2014 9:50pm

Don't buy anything that has to go over the head or up over the hips. Mothercare does packs of wrap vests and only buy button up the front babygros which are sleepsuits! I'd buy a couple of up to three months until you know what size and shape baby is, different brands are suitable for different babies. I found Next washed and wore the best.

How Strange · 23-03-2014 9:51pm

Wrap vests! That's what I was trying to say

dubstarr · 23-03-2014 10:00pm

How Strange wrote: »

H&M do lovely vests for newborns up to 3 months they have poppers so you put them on like a shirt rather than over the head. Very useful for taking off when they poop all the way up to their neck.

You do realise why they have such wide necks,you just pull them down.Rather than over their heads.

How Strange · 23-03-2014 10:12pm

Ha ha! Dubstarr would you believe I didn't know that for a long time so there were quite a few poop disasters with my son. I felt quite silly when I saw someone doing it. I naturally pretended like I knew that al along!

Chattastrophe! · 23-03-2014 10:15pm

Oh and don't buy a babygro without built-in scratch-mitts!

I don't usually even use them, but it's a pain in the arse if he starts clawing at his face in the middle of the night and you've to go changing him into a new one, which will of course totally wake him up. (I don't like using separate scratch mitts at night, cot death hazard.)

Boots babygros (and Boots baby clothes in general) wash ridiculously well, and are often on 3 for 2. Mothercare ones are brilliant too, more expensive, but you get the wear out of them.

lazygal · 23-03-2014 10:20pm

If you see a snow suit which has two zips at the front buy it. So much easier to get a baby into and cosy for going home.
More tips: practice getting the car seat in and out of the car and how to fold and unfold the buggy or pram. Don't buy any outfits for baby, you'll get them as gifts and won't really use them. Make sure your partner has your back and knows to speak up firmly about your preferences in hospital. My husband had to be really firm about not giving formula or water.

implausible · 23-03-2014 11:26pm

I don't know if I'll be in this boat any time again soon, but from my two, I have three tips

1. Exercise

Keep properly active, I thought chasing around after the two year old and walking the corridors at work was plenty, until I got pelvic girdle pain near the end of my 2nd pregnancy. It was horrendous, physio recommended pilates to strengthen my core. I'm convinced if I'd kept up swimming and walking, I could have prevented it.

2. Sleep

When you can, anywhere you can, because what they say is true - you won't get to when baby is born and after-work powernaps are a rare luxury on number two.

3. Fibre

It's easy to get anaemic, but the iron can have an unpleasant side effect - piles. If you're taking iron, exercise, water and fibre will prevent the f*ckers.

MissFire · 24-03-2014 2:06pm

pwurple wrote: »

For newborn... 8 vest and 8 baabygros. Size 0-3 months.
We were given size 'newborn' and our newborn 8 pounder couldn't fit into them!

I'm a newbie at this too.. Will I get the vests with the short sleeves or without the sleeves.. Baba due in June if that makes difference.. I went to Tesco the other night and just stood staring at all the baby stuff like a complete dummy not knowing... Not exactly something you wanna ask your pals in case they laugh in your face for being so clueless...

Neyite · 24-03-2014 2:23pm

MissFire wrote: »

I'm a newbie at this too.. Will I get the vests with the short sleeves or without the sleeves.. Baba due in June if that makes difference.. I went to Tesco the other night and just stood staring at all the baby stuff like a complete dummy not knowing... Not exactly something you wanna ask your pals in case they laugh in your face for being so clueless...

Up to 3 months, they were the same amount of layers as you, plus one. So if you are wearing a top and cardi, you put baby in vest, top and cardi.
after that, the same amount of layers as you.

And always add a hat outdoors -either a cosy one for warmth or light one for sunshade depending on the day. I also would always have baby in socks and or soft pre-walker shoes unless it was roasting (which was rare in Ireland) I used a cellular merino wool blanket while out an about, removing it /adding it as needed.

to check that they are warm enough /too warm, feel their chest /torso rather than hands or face as they can have cold hands but be actually the correct temperature.

Dont overload layers on them- overheating a baby is not advised.

kandr10 · 24-03-2014 8:33pm

MissFire wrote: »

I'm a newbie at this too.. Will I get the vests with the short sleeves or without the sleeves.. Baba due in June if that makes difference.. I went to Tesco the other night and just stood staring at all the baby stuff like a complete dummy not knowing... Not exactly something you wanna ask your pals in case they laugh in your face for being so clueless...

You can't go wrong with short sleeves (or indeed long!) in Ireland. I'd start there and if you felt in the summer that sleeveless would be better you could pick them up later. I did exactly the same as you by the way when I was pregnant! Got totally confused looking at packs of stuff :-) best advice I could give is that less is more and you can pick up stuff as you need it.

Chattastrophe! · 24-03-2014 9:17pm

MissFire wrote: »

I'm a newbie at this too.. Will I get the vests with the short sleeves or without the sleeves.. Baba due in June if that makes difference.. I went to Tesco the other night and just stood staring at all the baby stuff like a complete dummy not knowing... Not exactly something you wanna ask your pals in case they laugh in your face for being so clueless...

I got tonnes of long-sleeved vests as presents, but hardly ever use them. It's just awkward to put clothes on over them! Nearly all the time, I use the short-sleeve ones.

Also ... I'd say, invest in a room thermometer! We have two Gro-eggs, one for upstairs and one for downstairs. Our house is actually too warm most of the time! Makes me feel not as bad for not using the long-sleeve vests ...

kandr10 · 24-03-2014 9:26pm

There's a lot that's down to personal preference alright. For sure you'd use short sleeve vests though. Also important to get used to what's normal for your baby.

madeinamerica · 25-03-2014 12:30am

comongethappy wrote: »

For when you're not big enough for maternity and you're trousers are getting too snug, loop a hairband through the button hole and use the remaining loop over the button. Just wear a looser top.My manager in work told me about it! Great for my jeans, but my word trousers are all tab closure so had to buy a maternity pair.

this is brilliant! I just started doing it today, as I'm probably not big enough for maternity clothes but my jeans are a biteen tight when I sit in work. Thanks!

Neyite · 25-03-2014 12:35am

madeinamerica wrote: »

this is brilliant! I just started doing it today, as I'm probably not big enough for maternity clothes but my jeans are a biteen tight when I sit in work. Thanks!

Especially when you get essentially a square of elastic with a button at one end and a loop on the other and they sell them for €17 euro in mothercare for 2.

When she told me the price I just went :eek: and she then had the cheek to say it was cheaper than lots of maternity trousers. Eh, yeah but I've millions of hair elastics at home that I was using.

I got to nearly 7 months with the hair elastic and my regular jeans.

Merkin · 25-03-2014 10:49am

For fireball nipples, one of the kind ladies here recommended Lansinoh HPA Lanolin Cream 40ml and it has been an absolute God-send. My nipples have been uber sensitive but also quite painful at times and this stuff is great. I bought it on Amazon but I also spotted it in Mothercare at the weekend, very soothing when they are painful and tingly.

olaola · 25-03-2014 5:33pm

Neyite wrote: »

Especially when you get essentially a square of elastic with a button at one end and a loop on the other and they sell them for €17 euro in mothercare for 2.

When she told me the price I just went :eek: and she then had the cheek to say it was cheaper than lots of maternity trousers. Eh, yeah but I've millions of hair elastics at home that I was using.

I got to nearly 7 months with the hair elastic and my regular jeans.

I bought these bloody 'baby belts' or whatever they're called. What a waste of money, they just stretch out of shape and the elastic is crap. WAY better off with a hair bobbin or a decent elastic band.

livinsane · 25-03-2014 10:05pm

My advice would be to just look after yourself before and after the pregnancy. Don't worry too much about the baby as their needs will always be met, but you will neglect yourself to the point where you are forgetting to go to the toilet or to eat. Many women end up back in hospital after giving birth because they are pushing themselves too hard. If you get a lot of stitches, don't even think of walking anywhere for two weeks. Have a box set ready and plenty of homemade meals in the freezer. If you are breastfeeding, take a supplement and keep bottles of water in the fridge.

Also, for casual visitors who ask in advance before calling, suggest they call four or five weeks after the birth. Be honest with them, you'll really appreciate their company more once the initial rush of visitors has petered out.

Merkin · 26-03-2014 11:42am

For anyone who has been afflicted with the horrid carpal tunnel syndrome.....I'VE FOUND A CURE!!

I did some research and found a wrist splint on Amazon which is not particularly attractive but my God does it work! I wore it to bed for the first time last night and am miraculously symptom free of the usual thumb pain this morning!!

Can't recommend it enough. http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B007M291HM/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It did make me look like a creepy cross between Keith Lemon and Michael Jackson so I entertained Mr. Merkin and myself by moonwalking and singing "I'm Bad, I'm Bad, you know it, I'm Baaaayaaaaad....jamone" across the bedroom which eased the creepiness somewhat.

lazygal · 27-03-2014 4:02pm

When baby arrives take advice from others with a pinch of salt, especially from your own parents. What was considered good advice 20 or 30 years ago isn't applicable now, such as putting baby rice in bottles, weaning from three months and putting baby to sleep on their tummy. Don't second guess yourself when someone says "What? In my day we smoked the whole time/had you weaned at six weeks/left you outside the back door all afternoon and not a bother on you, what are you worried about that for". My mum is a very practical woman but some of her hints and tips weren't appropriate and I sometimes worried myself, even though I knew I was doing the right thing.

dubstarr · 27-03-2014 10:48pm

Yes now is the time to perfect the nod and smile.And do your own thing anyway.

FurBabyMomma · 04-04-2014 8:56am

This is my first and I've mainly been adopting the head-in-the-sand approach so this thread has terrified me! But thanksto everyone, I imagine all this advice will come in very handy soon :-)

Cherrycola · 04-04-2014 9:12am

High strength arnica for after the birth, helps with bruising and healing. I swear it helped me have no issues with my stitches, and I didn't even use the high strength ones, just the normal dose from the health shop.

olaola · 04-04-2014 9:25am

OH!! Meant to say, esp during winter. Two single duvets on the bed (Austrian style), you're tossing and turning more often and you can use the duvet as support underneath your body too. We're total converts to this all the time, and I was just thinking this morning if I had to share, I'd go crazy.

nikpmup · 04-04-2014 10:00am

Cherrycola wrote: »

High strength arnica for after the birth, helps with bruising and healing. I swear it helped me have no issues with my stitches, and I didn't even use the high strength ones, just the normal dose from the health shop.

Arnica passes into breast milk though, so be careful if you plan to breastfeed.

thesultan · 06-04-2014 6:09pm

What exercise would yee recommend for someone who is experiencing back pain ?

January · 06-04-2014 6:20pm

thesultan wrote: »

What exercise would yee recommend for someone who is experiencing back pain ?

I'd recommend speaking to your midwife/GP/Consultant as we cannot give medical advice.

Other posters, please do not reply to this post with recommendations, OP needs to seek advice from a professional.

MissFire · 06-04-2014 11:07pm

nikpmup wrote: »

Arnica passes into breast milk though, so be careful if you plan to breastfeed.

Asked the midwife this at ante natal class and she said its ok during breast feeding, actually she couldnt recommend it highly enough. Think ill still ask at health food shop to be sure..

madeinamerica · 07-04-2014 4:35pm

MissFire wrote: »

Asked the midwife this at ante natal class and she said its ok during breast feeding, actually she couldnt recommend it highly enough. Think ill still ask at health food shop to be sure..

This is not intended as medical advice, but I'd recommend that you ask a pharmacist just to be sure. Staff in health food shops aren't trained in the same way and so it is a lot of responsibility to put on them. Supplements such as arnica don't require any testing at all for them to be sold, so I'd be wary when it comes to babies. webmd says 'Given the lack of evidence about its safety, arnica is not recommended for children or for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.'

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/arnica

fiona-f · 07-04-2014 8:47pm

Tips from my dentist: pregnancy can affect your gum health so make sure to step up your check ups and cleanings. Also if you do get sick, the acid can attack your teeth very strongly so current advice is to rinse very well straight away with lots if water, but wait an hour before brushing or else you are working the acids into your teeth and weakening them. It seemed counterintuitive to me but apparently is true.

madeinamerica · 08-04-2014 1:57am

fiona-f wrote: »

Tips from my dentist: pregnancy can affect your gum health so make sure to step up your check ups and cleanings. Also if you do get sick, the acid can attack your teeth very strongly so current advice is to rinse very well straight away with lots if water, but wait an hour before brushing or else you are working the acids into your teeth and weakening them. It seemed counterintuitive to me but apparently is true.

I've been meaning to get my teeth cleaned since I got pregnant but anytime I wash my teeth I am still gagging, so I'm putting it off for fear I'll puke on the dentist!

MissFire · 11-04-2014 7:13am

madeinamerica wrote: »

This is not intended as medical advice, but I'd recommend that you ask a pharmacist just to be sure. Staff in health food shops aren't trained in the same way and so it is a lot of responsibility to put on them. Supplements such as arnica don't require any testing at all for them to be sold, so I'd be wary when it comes to babies. webmd says 'Given the lack of evidence about its safety, arnica is not recommended for children or for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.'

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/arnica

Isn't it crazy the amount of conflicting advice you're given by people when pregnant ??! Think ill just stay away from it altogether.. I've survived this long through life without it..

FurBabyMomma · 11-04-2014 12:08pm

I dunno if this is the right thread but Lidl are selling pregnancy pillows for €10.99 right now.

lazygal · 11-04-2014 8:20pm

Cherrycola wrote: »

High strength arnica for after the birth, helps with bruising and healing. I swear it helped me have no issues with my stitches, and I didn't even use the high strength ones, just the normal dose from the health shop.

Homeopathy is rubbish. I didn't take arnica and healed perfectly from two sections. There is no evidence that arnica helps healing in any way.

Sarah Bear · 11-04-2014 9:03pm

lazygal wrote: »

Homeopathy is rubbish. I didn't take arnica and healed perfectly from two sections. There is no evidence that arnica helps healing in any way.

It's just a tip that someone found helpful, some people find homeopathy to work for them.
Some people swear by spicy food to bring on labour, some think it's a load of rubbish, but it's nice to hear what people found helpful, there's no need to dismiss other peoples opinions.

kandr10 · 11-04-2014 9:30pm

Sarah Bear wrote: »

It's just a tip that someone found helpful, some people find homeopathy to work for them.
Some people swear by spicy food to bring on labour, some think it's a load of rubbish, but it's nice to hear what people found helpful, there's no need to dismiss other peoples opinions.

Similarly, lazy gal was just giving a tip !

Handy Tips and Hints for Pregnant Ladies!

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