so what little tip do you have for us first time moms that no book or nurse or class told you to prepare for.
eg: items needed or unecessary
- things to take to hospital
- upon return home etc etc.

thanks in advance. :)

Okay, when they say bring clothes that fit you about 3 or 4 months preggo....bring things that fit you 7 months preggo! You are very swollen and the weight is still there! So go loose and comfy! Otherwise...it's quite disheartening when you can't get your 3 month preggo clothes back over your backside yet! :cry:

One of the biggest shocks for me was seeing my stomach for the first time afterwards! I almost cried! But don't worry, it tightens up and looks much better after a couple weeks. You've still got to deal with the stretch marks, unfortunately, but a lot of the flab does tighten back up.

The clothes thing - breezykc2 was right on!

Bring lots of stuff to keep you busy! You might not need it, but better safe than sorry. I didn't really bring anything because I went in for a NST, stayed in to have the baby. (I didn't realize I was in labor!) So I had my husband bring my stuff and I hadn't packed any books or anything to do. I could hardly sleep, and when I was up, I was bored out of my mind.

Okay, when they say bring clothes that fit you about 3 or 4 months preggo....bring things that fit you 7 months preggo! You are very swollen and the weight is still there! So go loose and comfy! Otherwise...it's quite disheartening when you can't get your 3 month preggo clothes back over your backside yet! :cry:

YES!!! This was totally my mistake. The only thing i took to the hospital that fit were my snowflake pj pants. :lol:

We brought a lot of snacks. I expecially ate lots of dried fruit and nuts and things. My hubby would go looking for a snack too - brought him Capri Sun to drink too. I also brought make up and a hair dryer - when I used them the second day I felt just wonderful! They were not necessary, just made me feel great! We brought chapstick and breathmints and didn't use them. I guess if you push for a long time you might want chapstick and your coach/dh to have breathmints!

Bring a camera!

The thing I remember is that while pregnant I was always trying to find pants that were comfortable enough... once I had the baby I need bigger shirts :oops: Once your milk starts to come in things kinda... expand :D which I thought was nice because the bigger shirts hide the tummy for a while till it starts to go back to it's proper place.

Bring a pillow to the hospital. Also people's numbers you want to call and a list made up ahead of time as to who you want to email. Also before we got home from the hospital my dh loaded up the kitchen with microwave meals, canned things, convenience items. It sure makes meal prep easier when you are so tired.

The one thing that I wasn't prepared for was the wide range of emotions I experienced as my hormonal levels were shifting around. I became extremely emotional. I could cry at the drop of the hat. Perhaps that only happened to me- :shock: But if it should be the case with you, give yourself a break and know that you'll feel more like yourself again soon enough. I finally was smart enough to warn people after my babies that I would be not responsible for my emotions for the first few weeks after birth. Wish I still had that excuse :D

My advice would be: everyone's experience is SO different. What hurt me may not hurt you, what annoys you amy not even bother me...listen to YOUR needs. And my second piece of knowledge is (some may not like this): it is COMPLETELY normal if you do not "instantly" bond with your baby. Not every Mom does. If however those feelings continue for a while afterwards please find someone to talk to.

FINALLY: As weird as this may sound. Enjoy the moment. It is INCREDIBLE to know out of one tiny cell came this perfect little person who God has entrusted to YOU and YOUR family and no one else. HOW AWESOME?!!

Best of luck and easy labor to all Mommies-to-Be ~Kerri

momma bear you brought tears to my eyes... thanks.
d:)

Well, I wasn't prepared for not being able to do what I wanted to do when I wanted to do it. It's very hard to plan anything at first, but it gets easier.

The first time I had to keep burp cloths on hand at all times because of major leaking! And, breastfeeding at first can be a little sore, but it shouldn't be painful. Your body was made to breastfeed, so don't worry too much over it, either.

Congratulations!

If you plan to start breastfeeding right away I would highly recommend lanolin nipple cream and that you use it after EVERY SINGLE TIME you nurse starting with the very first time if you can. i am speaking from three babies worth of nursing experience. with my first baby i never heard of the stuff and had a couple months of sore, chapped, cracked nipples. with my second baby i didn't end up getting the lanolin until i had already been nursing for three days and by then my nipples were chapped and sore and the damage was done. just this past January was when i had my third baby i made sure i asked the nurse right away for a sample of the lanolin and hardly got sore at all. i used it after every nursing for the first month or so and it really helped keep me from getting chapped and cracking.

what an exciting time, i'm praying for you for a smooth delivery and a very healthy baby. God Bless

The idea of bringing your own tube of lansinoh cream with you is a good one as the hospital just gives you small tubes of it. I was really glad I had done this.

danou you are welcome. Oh and I second the nipple cream. I wish I would have known that breastfeeding does NOT come natural to many (some, yes but...). Sticking it out, using that cream (along with cold cabbage leaves) and setting up support beforehand is a GREAT idea. Don't get discouraged if you and baby decide it isn't for you both. Formula fed babies are just as happy especially when they are fed AND loved! :wink: [heartbeat] ~Kerri

I just wanted to add that there are mothers who swear by cold cabbage leaves to dry up their breasts. I'd check into that before I did it just to relieve sore nipples :D

Really Kerina? WOW! Good thing that didn't happen to me. I would have really been mad at my OB :lol: But that is good to know. Thanks! ~Kerri

I totally agree with Beck about your belly still being pretty big. I came home crying. I had only lost one pound. I mean you have a 7 lb baby, deliver placenta, lose blood, come on you have to lose some weight right? :lol:
So yeah take a couple outfits so you can decide later.

The other thing that shocked me the first time was when they checked my uterus after baby was born. I mistakenly thought all the pain was done, and all I had to do was bf and kiss my baby. Nope, it does hurt when they do that but if you know it's coming it's not as bad.

If you plan on nursing, nursing bras, nipple cream, great ideas.

I also took a little bit of makeup and a hair clip. Everyone wants to take pics when they visit you might as well be ready with a little lip gloss :D