Love Thy Labour

The last thing we're going to do here is to give you medical advice, or to help you with your birthing plan. If you're pregnant now, we're sure you're already getting huge waves of that kind of advice from doctors, friends, NCT groups, books, random old ladies in the street, your mother-in-law, etc. etc. We'd simply like to make a couple of simple suggestions about how you can plan to try and make the time around labour a little more luxurious and comfortable. These tips are also useful for anyone wanting to put together presents and packs for their pregnant friends. These are based on the personal viewpoint of the Babes with Babies' Team and we'd love to hear any thoughts or tips from you! What little treats did you find helped? Chat to us live and let us know!

Making the hospital stay a little more comfortable

Unless you're opting for a home birth, you will end up spending some time in hospital. Great for getting advice from the nurses but not always the most beautiful place to be. Consider taking your own pillow for guaranteed comfort. Try our Slippers of Joy to keep your tootsies toasty as you pace around the hospital. Or wrap up in our lovely Cardis and Wraps, ideal overmaternity or nursing nightwear. And pack yourself some edible treats for afterwards. We guarantee you'll be ravenous at some point (breastfeeding often leads to increased desire for cake!). After much research in the office, we've found the most beautiful and luxurious chocolate for a treat comes from Rococo on Marylebone/King's Road or online, although we also love the taste and ethics of Hotel Chocolat.

For your bag

This is a good time to make sure you have a good travel bag - I used this as an excuse to get 2 posh new travel bags which I have been using ever since (one for my stuff and one for baby's). Don't forget to pack a huge supply of disposable knickers. They are least lovely things ever but you get through a huge number of these and many mums run out before the end of their stay. We recommend taking darker trousers/PJ bottoms in with you as well. It's also good to pack some nice toiletries: The first shower may be a bit of a shock as your body will have gone through a lot. Make yourself feel good with some lovely shampoo and shower-gel - this would make a great present for a friend going into hospital (Molton Brown do nice travel packs). We do a lovely selection of cute washbags - bigger than a make-up bag, they make a good nappies and wipe bag or can be used for your toiletry or make-up essentials. Or treat yourself to the Bloom and Blossom new mum pampering kit.

When it all kicks off

It obviously doesn't matter what you wear - that's the last thing on your mind at this exciting, terrifying and amazing time.

 

However we'd like to recommend some essentials for your bag:
a) Hairband. There's lots going on during labour and having your hair off your face is a lot more comfortable. Sounds silly but trust us on this one...

b) Lipbalm. For once, we're not recommending something for glamour purposes. It's just your lips get so dry during labour. NB A nice lipbalm makes a good little present for someone about to give birth.

c) Water spray & a natural sponge. The water spray is refreshing and the sponge means your birth partner can feed you water whatever position you're in. Many women find this invaluable.

Leaving the hospital

Remember, you're likely to still look pregnant (approx 5 ½ months). Really. That's a shock to many women. A huge amount of that will disappear in the first couple of weeks but it's good to feel prepared for it.

 

We recommend you taking something new to come home from hospital in. If you're anything like us you may be a little tired of your maternity clothes and there is something lovely about putting on a new top. Have a look at our Babes with Babies new mum clothing for options. We have a wide range of comfortable, flattering bottoms as well as beautiful breast-feeding tops. If you're breastfeeding, you will need nipple cream (suggestion), nursing pads and, of course, nursing underwear. 

 

Good luck with it all. And don't forget to let us know any great suggestions for marvellous maternity treats; we'd love to hear from you.

Sophie.

 

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