That list of stuff you should have ready (and packed) for new baby

[The Nappy Lady]

Also want to vote for Primark pants, much nicer.

I bought San pads from Mothercare which had Aloe Vera in them to help with healing and they were good.

Kamilosan nipple cream is lovely and can also be used as nappy cream and on minor skin grazes etc so easy to use up even if you end up not needing much for your nipples.

Has anyone said socks? My feet were cold in labour - get cheap ones tho as they had to be binned after.

Molly

x

[Pickle]

I also bought a few packs of cheap Primark pants which were excellent. Get a dark colour! Also invaluable were a pair of Primark slippers, I did lots of walking round the labour ward while waiting for my induction to work, and spent a couple of days in hospital post-birth, so they were useful and it didn't matter what state they got in.

I haven't read through the thread properly, but I also took a couple of towels (dark colour, once again) - use a hospital towel for your first bath/shower if they have one for you, but so much nicer to have some decent ones for any subsequent showers if you end up staying in for a while.

As I was being induced I went armed with Monopoly, crossword books, books etc. and they all came in very handy for the long wait I had before my son decided it was time to make an appearance! We also had CD's which we played throughout my labour (nothing like singing to Take That while pushing a baby out - even the midwives were singing along!).

[littleEDfamily]

Glad someone else mentioned make up! Again, me showing my shallowness, but after floating around in a birth pool for 4 hours, as soon as our first baby was out, my first request was for my husband to brush my hair! After such an ordeal, a little mascara and lippy can't be a bad thing.....

Fuschia - are there baths at hospital?

Arnica - anyone know exactly how much and how soon you should start taking this?

[littleEDfamily]

Thanks for the reminder about music, Pickle. 'Magic FM' helped me through labour last time! Apparently the only time I spoke in the latter stages was to state the song and artist every time a new one started up... Dionne Warwick - 'Heartbreaker' was a particularly welcome soundtrack to that last gritty bit!

[Belle]

Sillywoman might know with the arnica? I think we were told on our nCt course but can't remember. Yes there are baths in hospital, though I just had showers. Not sure if it's been mentioned but I took in dettox wipes so i could wipe round in the shower - I was paranoid about infection, perhaps unreasonably so but it gave me peace of mind.

[Fuschia]

littleEDfamily Wrote:

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>>

> Fuschia - are there baths at hospital?

>

Yes a coupole in ante and a couple in post natal

I spent HOURS in there during the night when pg with the twins

[nikki73]

i was told to take arnica when labour started but might be worth doublechecking when you buy it.

[sandy_rose]

You can pop a few arnica pills in a bottle of water and sip throughout labour, might be easier than taking one every hour or so. The staff at Healthmatters will give you the ones you need and tell you how to use them during and after.

Rescue remedy might also be a good idea. I also picked up a Green Baby perineal gel from Healthmatters, to help with healing - haven't given birth yet so can't tell you if it's any good or not.

You might also want to get your hubby to pack a bag with some clothes and comfortable shoes for himself, change for car parking etc.

[littleEDfamily]

Was way too squeamish to do the whole perineal massage thing last time. I am now shameless - what do others think about perineal massage - worth the effort?