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 Pregnancy and Birth

• In your first month after your baby's born, follow this simple rule: if it can be done lying down, lie down to do it; if it can't, get someone else to do it! (whomovedmychocolate)
• Heavily pregnant? Put a carrier bag on your seat in the car. It makes it a bit slidy, so you can swing yourself out more easily. Not very glam but, if you're anything like me, you'll be too grateful to care! (Girlypie)
• Lie about your due date. Add two weeks on when giving the glad news, then, if you go overdue, you won't be driven mad by endless Have You Had It Yet? phone calls. (frazzledgirl)
• Pregnant and suffering at night with the heat? Fill a bath/bowl with cold water just before bed. Then, when you need a wee (or several) during the night, stand in the cold water for a few minutes. Cools you down beautifully. (zanz1bar)
• Don't be so secure in your knowledge that you're going to have a home birth that when you go into labour in M&S and get rushed to hospital your 'hospital bag' only contains a relaxing CD, a white nightie and a lavender room spray... (emskaboo)
• Pregnant and planning on breastfeeding? Buy some Alice bands. Sexy they are not, but being able to see your child while feeding them as well as not having your hair yanked out by the roots does aid the bonding process somewhat. (whomovedmychocolate)
• Pack some glucose energy tablets/sweets in your hospital bag. They really helped me keep going and give me that bit more strength I needed in my long labour. (parto)
• Read up about Caesareans even if you aren't planning one - you never know what will happen. (hughese)
• Put maternity pads in the freezer before wearing them after birth, especially if you'd had stitches. They will be super soothing! (RTKangaMummy)
• If you're getting ready to give birth, get your birthing partner to re-pack your hospital bag because they'll be the one finding things for you when you're in labour. It means you won't have to keep calling out "It's in the pocket. No! The other one!" (Bunnyboots)
• Baby nearly due? Fill in all the relevant forms ie child benefit etc, just leaving the name and D.O.B blank. When your baby arrives, you won't have a mad rush to fill forms in or dig out wage slips etc, the last thing on your mind with a new baby! (CrookshanksinJimmyChoos)
• Before putting on the first nappy smother your baby's bottom with vaseline. Then when he or she has that first sticky poo you won't need to scrub, it just wipes easily away. (seamonster)
• Keep your chosen baby name a secret - there is nothing more irritating than someone having a baby just before you do and deciding to call it one of the names you chose. (busyalexsmummy)
• While I was pregnant, I found peppermint lotion was great for my ankles when they puffed up. It's even more effective after a night in the fridge. (jayjay22)
• Set up all your "baby" equipment and learn how to use it before your baby arrives. Even the simplest instructions are a nighmare when you've had zero sleep for days. (Crayon)
• Keep morning sickness at bay by carrying a lemon with you. As soon as you start feeling queasy, dig your nail in the lemon and have a good sniff - it really works. (buffythenappyslayer)
• When your baby is born, don't wear any perfume for a while..it overpowers their lttle senses and it's best that they can smell their mummy's natural smell. (bambi06)
• Morning sickness? Drink cola and eat salt and vinegar crisps. Trust me - I've had nine pregnancies - it really does work! (sugar34plum)
• Pack some plastic bendy straws in your labour bag - then you can sip a drink whatever position you are in! (JulesJules)
• Stock up on hand-cream when pregnant. Once your baby arrives you'll be constantly washing your hands and will go through tons of the stuff. (RMc)
• Lanolin-based nipple cream saved my lips from being chapped & nasty after super dry hospital wards. I still use it instead of ordinary lip balm. (notsolilkel)
• Whilst pregnant, let people look after you. Enjoy every minute of the attention because as soon as bundle arrives, the limelight's off! (podglet)
• Decide on visitor rules before the birth and don't combine the day 3 blues with your mother in law coming to stay. (dophus)
• Plan an easy to cancel activity for each day after your due date. i.e. cinema trip, girly lunch, shopping. It'll helps you deal with being overdue, if you are and helps 'tempt fate'! (starlightmckenzie)
• Once home with your new baby, stay in your PJs for a week. Normal clothes make people forget. It never hurts to remind people that it's not called labour for nothing! (dollypopsout)
• Home from hospital with your new baby? Keep visiting time to between 2 and 7pm. Stops you rushing in the morning and lets you get to bed early! (BOOquets)
• Keep morning sickness at bay by stashing ginger biscuits by your bedside for a nibble when you wake up the morning. (CarolineG)
• I swear by arnica cream prior to delivery and arnica tablets after, to reduce the risk of tears and assist with healing. (emnharry)
• One for the dads: when your partner tells you she's pregnant, do her a favour and give the loo a good clean. She'll silently praise you during the weeks of morning sickness to come. (mumbleboo)
• For morning sickness, try half a Granny Smith apple in bed before you go to sleep and the other half in the morning before you move from the bed! (ianswife)
• Packing plastic sandals for the shower in your labour bag is a great idea. If you're having a winter baby pick up a pair in the end of summer sales. I forgot and couldn't track down a pair last December. (piximon)
• If you have morning sickness, try to focus on your fluids. Melon, ice lollies and lettuce will refresh and help keep you hydrated and well. (Peachy)
• The best present you can give to the mother of a newborn is to turn up and take any siblings out for at least half a day to give her some time alone with baby. (Maman)
• Suffering with morning sickness? Drinking lemonade when you wake up seems to settle your stomach so you can actually face breakfast. (newtotheplanet)
• If you suffer from irritating stretchmarks, after-sun lotion with cooling agents can help take the edge off the itch. (LWandLottie)
• Packing plastic sandals for the shower in your labour bag is a great idea. If you're having winter babies pick up a pair in the end of summer sales. I forgot and couldn't track down a pair last December. (piximon)
• When packing your labour bag, don't forget some plastic flipflops. You can use them instead of slippers and wear them in the shower, you won't want to go barefoot in there. (JulesJules)
• Stock up on tea, coffee, long life cakes and biscuits and freeze some milk before baby is due. Saves mad dashes to shop for those unexpected 'seeing the baby' visits! (NikkiBFG)
• If you have morning sickness, try to focus on your fluids. Melon, ice lollies and lettuce will refresh and help keep you hydrated and well. (Peachy)
• To stave off morning sickness, keep a bag of crystalised ginger pieces by the bed. I had some covered in dark chocolate which worked wonders. (mcmudda)
• If morning sickness means you can't face cooking, buy everything ready made. It's not cheap, but (hopefully) it's not for long and it's preferable to starving yourself and the rest of the family! (Cl)
• Visiting your local high street before your baby is due and noting where all the baby changing/feeding rooms are should make your first few outings easier. (mares)
• Don't bother buying a baby bath, as you'll only use it for a short time. You're better off with a bowl or just an adult bath with a small amount of water in it. (angie677)
• Stock up on notecards before your baby is born. Sometimes it's easier to drop friends a note saying you'll speak to them soon than to play telephone tag. (bossykate)
• To reduce morning sickness, keep some fruit oatcakes by your bed so you can gently graze on them when you wake up. (marthahm)
• If you're suffering with stitches or a tear after giving birth, invest in some baby wipes, they're far more soothing than ordinary toilet paper. (Holly)
• When in the final weeks of pregnancy, sleep in a satin (style) nightdress or pjs. The slippiness of the material makes it easier to turn over! (ja9)
• If you're planning more children, keep a box for clothes. As each size gets too small, tape up and label the box and keep safely for next time. (flibertygibbet)
• As your pregnancy progresses, put away all the clothes that stop fitting you and won't fit you for months after the birth. Saves cupboard space and repeated depression. (JoWobble)
• Add a laundry basket to your list of things to buy for baby, they need many more changes of clothes than you can imagine, and it is much nicer not to have them in the family basket.........!! (SRM)
• Don't tell people your actual due date, but give a 42 week date instead. You can then avoid well-meaning but irritating calls asking Have you had it yet?. (Mo2)
• If you're suffering from 24 hour morning sickness, try a big bowl of cereal or porridge last thing at night. It should stop you waking up feeling sick. (Cl)
• If you suffer from a blocked nose or sinuses in pregnancy use Olbas oil - this is a safe decongestant - just a few drops on a tissue or your pillow at night works wonders! (grommit)
• When pregnant, if you are standing up and can sit then sit, if you are sitting and can lie down then lie down, if you are lying down and can go to sleep then sleep. (MrsSpoon)
• Don't try to get back to sleep when you keep waking up towards the end of your pregnancy. Give in to it; get up, do something and wait until you are sleepy again. Use the time to come on to Mumsnet! (Prettybird)
• I had seriously aching legs mid pregnancy onwards and found support tights relieved this. They were really comfortable and looked fine. Allow a few more minutes in the morning to get them on though! (colette)
• As your pregnancy progresses, put away all the clothes that stop fitting you and won't fit you for months after giving birth. This saves cupboard space and repeated depression. (JoWobble)
• If you are trying to cut back on tea while you are pregnant, try redbush tea - it's a nice herbal tea that still has the richness of ordinary tea, plus you can have milk in it - but it is naturally caffeine free. (Prettybird)
• When out drinking before you've announced your pregnancy, drink tonic water, if you can stomach it. Unless someone actually takes a sip you can pretend it is a G&T and noone will be any the wiser. (Pamina3)
• Those paper knickers you get after giving birth are horrid - save up some old big pants and use them then just bin them! (soapbox)
• Take a tennis ball in your hospital bag, your birth partner can massage you more easily and for longer by rolling it on your lower back to ease the pain. (Andi29)
• Save all the little samples you get of sudocream etc in your Bounty bag and use when you go on hols or in your change bag when you are out and about. Once they've finished, refill later from the big pots. (pumpkin2)
• Try and swim as much as possible when you're pregnant. It doesn't take much effort, it makes you feel much lighter and you'll return to fitness much more quickly after childbirth. (FifiDella)
• In those first exhausting weeks after giving birth, have a list of chores to dole out to visitors. They'll go away feeling pleased they've helped and your hubby will have less to do! (rodeo1)
• Pack energy tablets in your hospital bag. I found them the perfect thing to suck on during labour. It gives you something to do, they are thirst quenching and energy boosting to boot. (jona)
• In the last few months of pregnancy take a rest mid morning and mid afternoon to help to prepare the baby for day-time wakening. Your baby is most active when you are at rest because you are not pumping blood to limbs, allowing a better supply to baby. (mamosa)
• A top tip for trying to combat morning sickness is wearing travel sickness bands on your wrists. Although after weeks of sickness I was doubtful of it's success, it really worked for me. (woodpops)
• If you can't get labour started - try pineapple juice as it has certain enzymes which seem to get labour started. It worked a treat with me. (shazaroo)
• When you are pregnant, if you have actually chosen a name for your baby that you really love, don't tell anyone! While you are pregnant people will tell you exactly what they think of the name, whereas once the baby is born and you present the name as a 'done deal', everyone will just smile and say it's lovely! (Mothermay1)
• Go to antenatal classes before your first baby but if you can only go to one, go to the hospital visit. That way at least you will know what to expect when your time comes. (Teddyeddy)
• If you have problems with sore or bleeding gums while pregnant, a baby's toothbrush is great for gentle, thorough cleaning. And don't forget to floss! (Vivie)
• Pack some expensive shower gel in your favourite fragrance in your labour bag. It'll be a real treat after your hard work and whenever you use it in the future you'll look back on your achievement that day! (Vikkifin)
• Rather than spending a lot of money on maternity nightwear, pinch your husbands/partner's old shirts - the bigger and baggier the better. (LucieB)
• For morning sickness try homeopathic nux vomica. It´s not a complete cure but it makes you able to function normally. (wads)
• Contact your local NCT branch to see if they do Maternity Wear for a cheap way to expand the expanding wardrobe. (Ems)
• When friends or family ring to ask if they can visit a new baby don't be afraid to say NO. If you say yes,don't be scared to give them a departure deadline We'd love to see you but the Health visitor coming so can you be gone by 3 (mummysurfer)
• Haberdashers and stores like John Lewis sell 'button-hole' elastic. Use a strip (with a button sewn on one end) to extend skirts and trousers in the early part of pregnancy. (mo2)
• If you're struggling with the heat when heavily pregnant, let the cold tap run until it's really cold and put your wrists under the water, palms up. (EmmaTMG)
• Only 2% of babies born in this country are born at home. (Practical Parenting)
• I was amazed at how many gifts we received post birth - and had real problems remembering who to thank for what. I'd advise having a list ready to fill in. Even if you thank the person to their face, you can note down what they give you and make sure the gift is on hand when they visit again! (emwi)
• As a mum of six, Ive made a special delivery half a dozen times and every one has been totally different. No-one can guess what it will be like for anyone else so dont listen, prepare well and try and enjoy it! (jackieann)
• My one tip for a parent of a newborn would be to not worry about the housework. Also when you first bring your baby home and you have an endless stream of visitors, put a note on the door and the answering machine on. Enjoy quality time as a family unit.
• If you are expecting, rather than buy separate flannelette sheets for swaddling etc, buy a couple of flannel double sized bedsheets (cheap ones from a bargain linens store will do as you only need them for a few weeks) and cut them into eight equal pieces. Sew up the edges, sit back and admire your handiwork!
• When pregnant try and befriend someone who's expecting the same time as your, either through antenatal classes, pregnancy massage or even at the doctor's surgery. You'll find it much easier to cope as a new parent if you've got someone at the same stage to swap notes with. (Jraven)
• Sign up for antenatal classes early. I left it too late and only got a last minute place because someone moved out of the area. I don't know how I would have coped without the support of the other mums I met there. (Holly)
• Pack lip balm and hand cream in your hospital bag - it's amazing how your skin dries out in hospital! (absandme)
• When pregnant, I showed the baby-book to my four year old showing how big the baby was at each stage. By the time she was born he was so excited to meet her there was no jealousy. (kazmumto3)