I'm just trying to finish my list of things to do before baby comes, and I thought I'd see what you ladies thought in terms of what you wish you had done before baby came that you didn't do?
I've deep cleaned and re-organized 95% of my house (hubby's workbench is a mess, and I ain't going near that!). I have a freezer with about 4 months worth of food of it, a good portion of which is prepared foods. I have clothes and general supplies for baby (still need to get baby nailfiles! and a friend still has some of my cloth diapers). The other kids' appointments (including hair cuts) wil be done. My hair is recently cut.
What am I forgetting? What do you wish you had done that you didn't do?
Thanks Susan! I haven't done my "contact" list for after baby arrives, i.e. applying for SS card, etc. I need to put that together!
I'm home birthing, but I don't have a bag packed yet in case of an emergency. It's on my list of things I am planning on finishing up this week. My plan is to have everything done by this time next week, so I can spend the last two weeks relaxing and spending lots of time with my other kids.
Thanks for all the suggestions! I knew I was forgetting a few things!
Something fab to wear in the hospital, Dear-and a few bottles of champagne in the fridge! All the best!
Sleeping and relaxing. Take a relaxing bath and read a book for fun.
read a book if you have the energy and time.
stool softeners prune juice for afterward.
trin kets to give oder kids.. gifts from the baby//
You might want to call your friends and family and "pre-book" dates with them. Schedule to have them come by and visit with you/ visit the baby/ visit the older kids/ take the older kids/ take the baby/ take you out/ meet with you somewhere other than your home/ come to your home and bake cook their special meal.
People from all arenas of your life will have offered/ want to visit and or help. Schedule dates now, in intervals which are convenient for you, and you will make the most of their good will.
Good luck to you and yours,
F. B.
Do you have the information on how to add your child to your medical insurance once baby arrives? Have you charged the video camera and have new batteries or a media card for your camera? Do you have a list of people (with contact information) that you want to contact after the baby is born? Do you have a bag packed for you and for baby for when you go to hospital? Congratulations on your new baby.
Updated
Do you have the information on how to add your child to your medical insurance once baby arrives? Have you charged the video camera and have new batteries or a media card for your camera? Do you have a list of people (with contact information) that you want to contact after the baby is born? Do you have a bag packed for you and for baby for when you go to hospital? Congratulations on your new baby.
I always make sure to get a dental cleaning before I deliver, because I know that's going to fall WAY down my priority list.
Have you done your taxes yet?
Will you need any new clothes for any meet the baby type parties you might have?
Have you started getting your kids' spring and summer clothes ready?
Other things I always get--toilet paper and paper towels. They take up so much room in the shopping cart, and when you go shopping with lots of little ones, you need all the space in your cart you can get. I stockpile those in the months before delivery.
Have you been to the dentist? How about the kids? If it's close to your next 6 months visit, that might be nice to do before the baby comes.
Take chapstick with you. I needed that a lot during labor myself.
You mentioned haircuts. How about hubby?
Buy extra batteries for the camera. My husband forgot to do it for BOTH births. We had two cameras, but the easier one was the one that the batteries died on. Thanks, hubby...
The hospital folks are the ones who will apply for the social security number for you. It can't be done until after the baby is born, and they will need the baby's name as well. I assume you'll have the hospital people check the baby after she's born?
How about addressing the envelopes for your baby announcement? Have you written as many thank you notes for gifts as you can now?
Looking forward to hearing more about the coming weeks!!
Dawn
How about alternate routes to get to the hospital? We had routes based on the time of day to try and avoid any traffic jams. We also had two back up people to accompany me to the hospital in case my husband couldn't make it home in time. (He has an hour and a half commute to work, and the hospital was a 30-45 minute drive in the opposite direction depending on the time of day.) I had two alternates set up to take me to the hospital, and in the worst case the taxicab service number on the fridge and in my wallet.
I did natural childbirth and had my own music ready to play during delivery. I also had my favorite calming bible verse written out to have someone read to me if I felt too panicky.
Stock of menstral pads for after delivery - Just such a pain to have to go get those when you would rather spend time with your new baby. I really wish I had gotten more of these ahead of time.
When i went into the hospital to have the baby i packed snacks for my kids since they stay in the waiting room with their grandparents til their sibling was born. That way they could go outside the hospital sitting area and eat without keep buying out the vending machines. Also packed coloring books,crayons,stuff like that while they wait,to keep them from not getting bored.I don't know if your children will be up there or not.Mine left and went home with their daddy after they saw the baby. I made sure i had all my grocery shopping done before the baby was born.Bills paid,house cleaned,things that you mention already.
Get a pedicure. I really appreciated my pretty toenails when I was lying around recovering, and nothing felt better than a nice foot rub. And you need some pampering!
Do you have snacks on hand for the midwife and assistant? Mine had specific requests, but if they don't, ask.
Happy birthing! All three of mine were born at home and I wouldn't trade their births for anything in the world.
Applying for SS card? Here in VA, the hospital gives you all of that paperwork after delivery but before you are discharged.
Our hospital had '1st day (day after)' pictures. If you wanted, you could have your baby dressed in a special outfit. They then leave the order info that they collect before you leave.
What I wished for:
- to go see a movie in a theater
- to take a nap when I wanted
Sleep. Seriously. I was so busy getting things "done" before the babies came each time that I was exhausted when they were born. The day I went into labor with my youngest my husband and I were resodding a portion of our yard because for some nestingly crazy reason I thought it had to be done before the baby came. Not so much.
Do what you can, but remember that you will all be OK. Dinner is balanced if it's PB & J on whole wheat with a glass of milk and a piece of fruit. Showers can happen every-other-night. Laundry will eventually pile up no matter how much is done before the baby comes and shaggy hair isn't the end of the world.
Good luck and best wishes for a very happy and healthy labor and delivery!
What about doing a spa day. I think you can plan all you need but at this point you need some rest and relaxation. I would book a prenatal spa and pedicure and treat yourself. Good luck on your upcoming birth!
Take a day for yourself, get the other kids to a sitter, have beautiful pictures taken of your pregnant self and RELAX: nap, watch a movie, read a book... whatever! Just take ONE DAY (yes, an ENTIRE day to enjoy yourself being pregnant). I wish I had done that.
Good luck.
You sound five times more prepared than I was. LOL The one thing I did was take my oldest son on a special mom and son outing right before the new baby arrived. Obviously it was mostly for me since at two my son won't remember. We went to the zoo with a picnic lunch and then to the butterfly house. Both venues are favorites for both of us. The trip to the butterfly house in particular was perfect. There were so many butterflies they looked like floating leaves. Several butterflies landed on us which created the most amazed look on my son each time. Sigh - an amazing trip. I can assure you the waddling and discomfort on my part was well worth the fond memories I have of that special day. I wanted one last hooray before the new normal settled in. The other thing which I did for myself was get a pedicure. I only do that about twice a year so it was a special treat and a nice way to do something strictly for me. A selfish indulgence you can say. The one thing I wish I had done but didn’t get around to because number two came early was take professional quality photos of my family before the new arrival. Good luck and many well wishes.
