Is your pregnancy journey coming to an end, Mama? You know what they say, the end of one chapter is the beginning of another! What's more, there's no denying that this next chapter is going to be an exciting one. You may have been mentally prepping as soon as your journey to Mamahood began. However, with baby about to enter the world, it's time to make sure everything is in place for the special day. There are plenty of things to do before your baby arrives, and there's no doubt that your plate is already full to the brim. So, we're here to make every little bit of planning and prep as easier for you as we can!
Here's our gentle reminder of things to do before your baby arrives, complete with our getting ready for baby checklist.
Make frozen meals
The first one of the many things to do before your baby arrives is to start doubling your meals, now. Every meal you make, make two portions and leave one in the freezer. As you can imagine, with the chaos of a new little human in your life, making substantial, home-made meals for yourself quickly falls to the bottom of your priority list. However, it's important you're getting the right nutrition to help you recover from childbirth and perform at your very best during baby's first few months at home.
Practise a Perineal massage
According to the RCOG, up to 9 in every 10 first time mothers who have a vaginal birth will experience some sort of tear, graze or episiotomy. Don't worry Mama, for most women, these tears are minor and heal quickly. However, regular perineal massages can reduce the risk of tears and the need for stitches! Needless to say, this simple, at-home massage is certainly worth giving a try. Our Mama Mio Push Partner Perineum Oil is designed to be used from week 34 in pregnancy to help encourage the skin around your perineum to stretch easier during labour. Pair it with our step-by-step guide on how to do a perineal massage to prepare your body for the push!
Finalise the birth plan
You may already have a rough idea of how you'd ideally like your pregnancy to go. However, it's time to finalise every last detail! For example, do you want pain relief? What position would you like to use? When do you want the chord to be cut? To make sure you remember everything to include, here's everything you need to know about a birthing plan.
Stockpile all of the essentials
There are some things to do before your baby arrives that future-you will be eternally grateful for. One of these is stock-piling. Toilet roll, wipes, nappies, medication- these bits and bobs are things you do not want to be stressing about when baby gets here, trust us. For example, ask your pharmacist if they can provide you with two months of a prescription to save you some hassle and an unnecessary trip out!
Get the hospital bag ready
If you’ve chosen the hospital where you'd like to give birth, it's time to get that hospital bag ready! Within this getting ready for baby checklist, here you have another mini checklist with just a few of the essentials:
- Comfy pyjamas with front opening tops if you're planning to breastfeed
- Changes of comfy clothes and underwear
- A hospital skincare bundle of a soothing balm to relieve any pain in your boobs and nipples as well as a hydrating wash
- Towels
- Sanitary and breast pads
- Pregnancy pillows
- Snacks, snacks, and more snacks!
- Books, magazines, any source of entertainment
Harvest colostrum before birth
Those pre-made meals we spoke about won't be the only food waiting in the freezer. Freezing your milk is another one of the things you can do before your baby arrives! Colostrum is the first type of milk you produce for your baby. It's loaded with immune-boosting properties, nutrients and supports your baby in the first few days of life before you start to produce breastmilk. Often referred to as ‘liquid gold,’ it helps fight off viruses or bacteria in your baby’s gastrointestinal tract. You can begin to harvest colostrum before birth from 37 weeks of pregnancy onwards. It can be collected by syringes and stored in a freezer until baby arrives. Doing this will provide you with a backup in case your little one struggles to latch on at first! For more advice on how to harvest colostrum before birth, take a look at our guide from Midwife Vic!
Getting ready for baby checklist:
With a 'getting ready for baby' checklist mapped out in front of you, hopefully the next few weeks (or days!) will be a little less daunting. The list of things to do before your baby arrives truly seems endless, but once your little one has been welcomed into the world and is in your arms, it will all be worth it, Mama!
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