[Lozypopz]

Hi there,
So I'm so happy to be at the 39 week mark today. Can't believe bub is to arrive anytime in the next few week...or hours.....

Anyway I was wanting any advice you wish someone had told you for the last week or so of pregnancy, labour, birth and beyond.

This is probably the first time in my life I have had been bored so hoping to make the most of it.

[cordyline]

Sleep in, enjoy long lazy breakfasts and relaxing long baths and showers.

All of this will be rushed once bub is here.

[Kenzi_Bubble]

Enjoy being able to just jump out of the car without having to worry about a pram, baby bag, baby, blankets etc... Aside from being able to sleep in, that's what I missed the most

[Rolex]

Enjoy your hot meals! Babies always seem to need mum when you've just sat down to a hot meal

All the best, how exciting to be meeting your baby soon

[Corella]

Catch up with friends at a time that suits you.
Go to a movie.
Get your hair done into a low maintenance cut.
Do a shop for single handed food.
Bond with a local mothers group - ABA, baby wearers, council, play group.

[duck-o-lah]

I wish that when I was 39 weeks with DS I knew that it would be another 3 weeks before he reluctantly emerged! I was too scared to leave the house, just in case, and I was so bored.

I hope you don't have to wait that long OP

The weeks after DS's birth were nothing like I expected, some bits awesome, some bits horrid, it's ok to feel completely overwhelmed by it all

[Natttmumm]

Go to the movies and out to dinner. Speak to your friends on the phone.
All things I missed once DD1 arrived. She's 5 now and I still miss those things

[Lozypopz]

Thanks ladies. They all sound like great suggestions
X

[dreamingofcats]

Sleep the crap out of now and until the baby is born. LOL. Man, dont even get out of bed.

In all seriousness though, do stuff you enjoy that you may not have as much time for in the first few months. Movies, pedicure, waxing (I forgot to get mine did and went three months oppps). Its not that the first few weeks will be awful, they are wonderful and exciting, but its this stuff you just cant do alot of and you will miss it in a way.

[mummabear5]

Wow - not long to go now!

Things I wish I had known before giving birth - as the others said, rest and sleep - and maybe make a few casseroles/sandwiches etc and freeze them so you have quick meals once babe arrives.

Labour - keep your 'birth plan' expectations at a reasonable level. Although my labour was reasonably textbook, it was long & arduous. I had a gorgeous baby at the end of it, but I guess what I thought labour would be like, and what it actually was, was very different. Although labour is different for everyone, and some have a wonderful experience, and others not so much, just keep an open mind and take the advice of the pro's....and also pack HEAPS of maternity pads in your hospital bag

Beyond - for me, this is what I wish they focused more on in the ante-natal classes I attended. The birth is really only a day out of your life! It's the next 20 years that are full of interesting and exciting times! I found the first month a rollercoaster of emotions and feelings, and was genuinely not prepared for how exhausted and sore I was after the birth. Like a lot of other women, I had problems feeding, had a few bouts of mastitis, an unsettled baby and issues with my stitches and grazes from the birth - although I loved every minute with my newborn, it wasn't all 'beers and skittles' as my hubby would say!

It is an amazing experience regardless and soon you'll be looking into your newborns eyes and fall in love with them - even if they do tire the life out of you in those early days

Oh - and one more thing, I had issues controlling my pelvic floor for the first few days - so I did wet myself a few times. I was horrified but told it was very normal - I wish someone told me that it could happen though! It strengthened very quickly but I still found it a little embarrassing

Good luck xx