Newly pregnant, what are your top tips??

Thank you Shelly for that link blubbed me way through it , sent it to my DIL had her in tears too.Remembered some of the sayings from my Grans days,such wise words. lovely replies ladies :)

Congrats!! So pleased for you! I'm FTM to be...at 33wks....top tips so far -the health and parenting preg app f iPhone is brill (wavin baby app picture). In my excitement I have 6apps but that one is my fav. Esp the timeline, lists, daily nd wkly info nd now I'm putting together Hosp bag it's great, nd also has easily helped me write nd email my birth plan-genius! -bio oil has really worked f me too-not one mark and I ballooned in trimester2...it also has removed some old marks too:) I'm usin it from boobs to thighs twice a day nd helps itching. Absorbs quickly so no stained clothes-yaay -Use the online forums/websites like babycentre as they're a great info source..but with an open mind. I've had every symptom under the sun and it's been a relief to know I'm normal! There's always horror stories but go with majority and overall gut instinct-your body, your life, your child!:) -opinionated family/friends?!! Just laugh your way through and then walk away nd do what you want! I went back to see family and friends in the uk nd every single one said 'well you can't eat this, no coffee/coke/ alcohol/nuts/meat/pets/standing up (I know!)/spicy/fried etc for you' and whipped it all away! Lol! -sense of humour and ur mates will get you through everything:) oh nd hubby rest of the time;)

I'm having my 3rd on Saturday. Never had planned before but he's transverse a form of breech position. I've learned to hold yourself to a delivery plan because things happen and you have to throw the plan out the window. I had two preemies born at 35 weeks. One the water broke, one the placenta ruptured, and then there is this little stubborn one. I agree with the series of what to expect. It definitely helped with different things. Everyone will give you their opinion or lecture you on what you should do. Honestly do what feels right for you and your baby. People will give their strong viewpoints on breastfeeding but guess what... not everyone can so try not to stress if you can't. If you have a craving for something... go for it. Get some compression socks. A bit bigger than what would normally fit you as some ladies swell up bad. Elevate your legs above your heart as well.

This link was passed onto me when I was pregnant with DD, even when I watch it now it still gets me all emotional, in a good way. In my 3rd trimester I used to watch this almost every other day I loved it that much. Enjoy it, its beautiful... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taDqKWWPDAY

Try to relax, sometimes harder than you think, stress for you is not good for the baby. Invest in good maternity clothes that are cotton, avoid polyester as you will become a few degrees hotter when you have the baby and holding a warm baby. Maternity clothes are for a long time after the birth if you are normal and dont loose the weight miraculously over night so think about the long term, that dress with your perfect bump may look good now but not with the after baby flab. Get tops that are good for BF if that's the route you will take, I struggled esp in public, so button up tops or easy access is good. I have a 4 month old now and just fell pregnant (am I crazy) (must be) I would say that the What to Expect When you are expecting book is great and I liked Gina Ford - The Contented Baby Book - this is not for everyone but suited me. Do an antenatel class, try and do with your partner, we did Health Bay Poly Clinic

Congratulations! I'm waiting for my baby to wake up so shall bullet point for time efficiency :) *Avoid Google. When it comes to other things I'm an advocate of researching everything to the hilt but when it comes to pregnancy if you Google every little twinge you'll only end up terrifying yourself. *Avoid waistbands. I find dresses much more comfortable than pregnancy trousers. The exception to this is over the bump preggy leggings. Buy two pairs and you can can wear them under lots of non pregnancy long top and tunics. *Avoid high heels. Flats are the way to go, your back will thank you for it. *Pregnacare pregnancy supplement has always works for me. *Rub oil in to your tummy/hips/tops of thighs before you shower then shower as normal. The excess sticky oil will come off but your skin will be soft. I used virgin coconut oil. *Babycenter.com is great. You can join and be emailed a weekly update of your baby's development stage. I found it invaluable during my first pregnancy. *Smile and thank people for their advice, it's normally well meaning. Take on board what works for you and vent to your husband about the idiotic suggestions later. *Tell your husband to expect lots of venting. He should smile, nod and agree with you at all times. *Be kind to yourself and look after yourself. You are growing a whole new person. Yes, women have being doing it forever, that doesn't make it any less amazing. Good luck!

Nice thread! Well, first of all congrats for becoming pregnant. . I read only two books: "The happiest baby on the block" and "what to expect when you're expecting". These books where helpful, but they do not apply to all pregnancies and babies. So do not expect to find the right answer for everything. Trust your gut feeling. Here are a few things I will or won't do again with my next baby. 1. I will not buy as much stuff as I did with the first one. I bought way too many clothes and way too many essentials. Remember that you can always get more. A newborn baby does not need much. So do not waste a lot of money. The most important things that I had where: changing table, many burping towels, breast feeding cover in case you go out in public, breastfeeding bras (really makes things easier), bottle warmer, formula in case you can't breastfeed, creme for your nipples as they can really become sore, a rocking chair, a breastfeeding pillow (really good to avoid back problems), sucking device for the babies nose (my son always had stuff in his nose), breast pump! In laws and other people: People will give you their advice even if you didn't ask for it. Thats the way it is. I learned quickly to simply smile and appreciate it. An advice is nothing bad. A demand is something else. I have noticed that my mother and my mother in-law give an advice over and over again. Soon, I realized it was more of a demand. I politely said that I would like to do things the way I feel most comfortable with. Remember, just because people had children, it does not make them experts. I actually found that other ladies and friends had a lot of a better advice than my family. If you find women that recently had babies, this is your best source of information in my experience. If you are in doubt, as your Doctor. If you think your child has anything that you can not explain, please ask a nurse or your Doctor. What might seem like a rash (because of a detergent) to one, could be indeed an allergic reaction. A good supplement is Folic acid. Actually, important unless you get it from food sources. I wore closed shoes most of the time. Had to buy them a size bigger as my feet got big! ;-)) Most importantly, trust your own feelings. You will be amazed what a great job you can do. The time after a pregnancy can be tough for some women. It would be nice if you could make some friends that will be in the same situation soon. It helped me a lot. Good luck! <em>edited by Akia on 27/02/2013</em>

Sleep sleep sleep!!!! as much as you can lol! :) Reading - i read what to expect/save our sleep tizzy hall/ gina ford contented baby. Supplements- make sure you are taking folic acid and prenatal DHA - as its very important for baby and your brain :) I used all the mamamio products (from blossom and from destination maternity) - and i still do. I also loved the elemis pregnancy oil and the clarins. i HATED the biooil which many love... so you need to try and test yourself... Undewear - i continued with same bras (wireless) just larger sizes til the end. CLothes was tough. I ordered alot from topshop and asos. Couldnt find any good aps for whilst pregnant - however i LOVED babyconnect for after baby was born! Good luck! try to relax and enjoy. Swim and be active! It will be over before you know it! :)