Whether you’re a first time mum, a seasoned pro or somewhere in between the two, your third trimester is when your pregnancy journey is due to come to an end and your motherhood journey is about to begin. It’s both an exciting and a challenging time as you start to think about welcoming a little one into your world whilst battling the dramas of pregnancy. Even if you’re not feeling an endless need to pee, have an achy back, struggling with your balance or unable to paint your toenails, transitioning from pregnant mama to baby mama is about to rock your world!
Before you get to meet your newest family member, you need to get the task of childbirth out the way. The inevitable experience of childbirth is individual and unique to every woman who goes through it and preparing for the biggest challenge of your life can be both exhilarating and terrifying at the same time.
Around the 30 weeks mark, you’ll usually be asked to start thinking about your birth plan. This includes where you’d like to give birth ideally, whether that’s home, a midwife-led childbirth centre, women’s hospital or your nearest hospital with a maternity unit. Other decisions to make include questions about how you want to give birth, water birth for example or elective caesarean. Talking to women who have been through this before will help with the decision making process or if you’re more of a Googler, then read about it online. There are so many resources available to help expectant mothers.
After you’re cracked your birth plan, it’s time to start thinking about packing for your hospital stay. You may have elected for a home birth, in which case, no maternity hospital bag is needed. You may have to think about whether you want to hire or buy a birthing pool, who you might like to be with you for your labour, contingency childcare for existing children and what supplies you’ll need at home to prepare for the birth of your little one
Creating the Perfect Baby Nursery
If you haven’t had the pleasure of welcoming a little baby into a new home before then creating a baby nursery may seem overwhelming. Whether this is your first baby, first baby in a while, second, third or fourth baby, choosing nursery décor should be fun, exciting and something to look forward to when you first find out you’re expecting a new family member. Let us answer all those niggly questions about how to design a baby nursery, what to put in it, what is necessary and what is not, and when to start preparing for your new arrival and together we can make sure you’re prepared for all that is to come.
Where should a newborn baby sleep?
In the UK the NHS recommend that all newborn babies sleep in a cot, bassinet, next to me cot or bedside crib in your room with you so that you are there to feed and cuddle your little one on demand. Research has shown that this can reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) as you are more in tune with your baby when they are in a safe space, close to you. A newborn baby will ideally sleep in the same room as you, day or night, for at least the first 6 months of their life.
Whilst this is the official advice for newborn baby sleep, some parents choose to have their baby sleep in their own room earlier than 6 months or choose to co-sleep with baby where your baby sleeps in bed with you and or your partner.
You can find lots of useful baby sleep information on the NHS website or on the Lullaby Trust charity website.
In terms of when your baby might need their brand new nursery, in actual fact they might not sleep in there for the first 6-12 months of their life. However, having a dedicated baby bedroom, where you can store their clothes, changing materials, toys and toiletries will help baby get used to this space in preparation for when they start to sleep here.
Creating the Perfect Baby Nursery
If you haven’t had the pleasure of welcoming a little baby into a new home before then creating a baby nursery may seem overwhelming. Whether this is your first baby, first baby in a while, second, third or fourth baby, choosing nursery décor should be fun, exciting and something to look forward to when you first find out you’re expecting a new family member. Let us answer all those niggly questions about how to design a baby nursery, what to put in it, what is necessary and what is not, and when to start preparing for your new arrival and together we can make sure you’re prepared for all that is to come.
Where should a newborn baby sleep?
In the UK the NHS recommend that all newborn babies sleep in a cot, bassinet, next to me cot or bedside crib in your room with you so that you are there to feed and cuddle your little one on demand. Research has shown that this can reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) as you are more in tune with your baby when they are in a safe space, close to you. A newborn baby will ideally sleep in the same room as you, day or night, for at least the first 6 months of their life.
Whilst this is the official advice for newborn baby sleep, some parents choose to have their baby sleep in their own room earlier than 6 months or choose to co-sleep with baby where your baby sleeps in bed with you and or your partner.
You can find lots of useful baby sleep information on the NHS website or on the Lullaby Trust charity website.
In terms of when your baby might need their brand new nursery, in actual fact they might not sleep in there for the first 6-12 months of their life. However, having a dedicated baby bedroom, where you can store their clothes, changing materials, toys and toiletries will help baby get used to this space in preparation for when they start to sleep here.
What you’ll need for the early stages of labour
Your hospital bag for labour will be a little different to what you need for afterwards, so packing everything into two bags and making sure any birth partners know where everything is will make navigating your bits and pieces much easier when you need them.
Paperwork
This includes a copy of your birth plan and your medical record. These days much of this is digital and unless you have your baby somewhere unexpectedly far from your planned place of birth, your hospital or birth centre will be able to see these records on this database.
Appropriate clothing for Labour
This is super subjective but think of clothes that are comfortable. If you are in the early stages of labour, you might want to move around a lot so wearing clothes that are cosy and easy to move in will ensure that you’re able to get into whatever position you want to be in. Remember that, for a vaginal birth you will need to remove lower layers at some point so clothing that is easily removed will also be beneficial. If you’re planning on using a birthing pool think about what you could wear in the pool, a close fitting top such as a vest will keep your top half covered whilst in the water.
Things to do
This might seem crazy but there could be a long wait between your contractions starting and your active labour so taking things to do that you can dip in and out of such as magazines, books, audiobooks, or even knitting will help to pass the time and provide a welcome distraction.
Your phone
Again this will provide distraction and help you communicate with anyone you want to keep updated. Don’t forget your charger and headphones, especially if you want to list to music while you wait.
Healthy snacks and water bottle
There is no reason that you can’t stay hydrated whilst you’re in labour. Taking your water bottle and sipping cold water will help quench your thirst during the early stages. Snacks that are small and easy to nibble such as nuts, fruit, cheese, crackers or plant based energy bars will take the edge of any hunger whilst you’re having contractions and will rescue you from hospital food afterwards! Although nothing beats the toast and tea, they make for you after you’ve done all the hard work.
TENS machine
This stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and is a device that produces a mild electrical current that can help as pain relief during contractions when applied to the baby bump by encouraging endorphin production. This is not an essential item but many women swear by them and their usefulness should not be overlooked.
Hair clips or bobbles
This might seem small but at some point you may want to tie long hair up or clip it out of your face. Don’t forget to pack something to do this with for the last parts of labour.
What you’ll need after giving birth
Washbag with shampoo, hairbrush, bodywash, lip balm, deodorant – after you have given birth at some point you’ll be offered a shower which will be both the best shower you have in your life and maybe one of the most terrifying. Having your favourite shampoo, soap and toiletry products will help you feel more like yourself again. Hospital climate control can swing from hot to cold so lip balm will help avoid chapped lips too.
Pyjamas, dressing gown, slippers and warm socks
After your shower you may spend a little time on the maternity ward or in your birth suite before being discharged. This could be anything from a few hours to a few days so having comfortable nightwear will keep you covered and comfy until it’s time to go. If you’re planning on breastfeeding, remember to consider front-opening pyjamas so that you can easily feed your baby on demand.
Changes of clothes and extra underwear
In addition to your pyjamas you might want to pack some comfortable clothes for potentially longer hospital stays and for going home in. Remember to pack lots of extra underwear, the bigger the better!
Maternity pads
You will need several packs of maternity sanitary towels after giving birth which is entirely normal. The hospital might have some of these but to avoid having to ask constantly, remember to take some yourself.
Nursing bras
As your milk comes in, your breasts will start to swell so packing comfortable nursing bras if you are planning to breast feed will give support whilst keeping you easily accessible.
Breast pads
It’s entirely normal and quite likely that you’ll leak a little breast milk at some point so taking breast pads to help with this is a good idea. You can get lovely soft washable reusable pads or disposable ones as you prefer
Soft towels
If you’re in hospital for a few days then having your own smelling, soft, clean towels from home will be a comfort that is not to be underestimated.
Eye mask and ear plugs
Maternity wards can be noisy places what with all the new babies, nurses, new mums and visiting families. Taking an eye mask to help block the light from harsh strip lights and ear plugs to help you nap are a good idea.
The team here at Nature’s Divine know all about becoming a mum, between us we’ve done it a few times! This is why we make the natural, healing products that we do to help give mamas the TLC their bodies need both before, during and after growing a baby. Our Organic Mum Balm is packed with restorative hemp and calendula, made entirely from natural ingredients and designed to help soothe and soften tired, overstimulated skin.
Check out our products for mums.
