With only six days to go, I feel like a ticking time bomb - only without an accurate countdown timer. I can tell everyone else is thinking the same, as every day I receive messages like "how are you?" I guess it's a polite of saying "have you popped yet?". Although Di at Parentlink tells me I can communicate with my unborn child to agree the timing, I'm not convinced I'll have much say in the matter. However, if you're listening Pob, please wait until Daddy's exams have finished on Monday. So shall we say Tuesday morning? Preferably not until the rush hour is over. Kick off at 10:30, say? Give us a chance to have our breakfast and all that. Great - let's mark our calendars!
Seriously though, given the uncertainty ahead, I have started to have strange thoughts that I can't shake. Like what happens if my waters break and I'm in the middle of Orchard Road surrounded by fifty thousand shoppers and no taxis? Hence I am currently avoiding any trips to Orchard Road - or other densely populated areas - like the plague! Instead, I have taken to hanging around the swimming pool, only to find myself wondering if my waters break in the swimming pool, how will I know that they have broken?
Come to think of it, I have developed a slight obsession with my waters breaking. I rushed out to Ikea to buy a mattress protector the other day and I won't sit on the sofa without having the old green travel rug (a freebie from the petrol station several years ago) underneath me. To some extent these fears are slightly ridiculous because the first sign of labour is rarely broken waters. On the other hand, I have been warned about the amazing rotting powers of amniotic fluid, which can apparently inflict damage to your mattress on a par with sulphuric acid.
One thing which makes me feel slightly more in control of the situation is having the hospital bag packed. So, what's in the bag? Well, first I must confess it's actually 2 bags, not because I'm going on a 2-week break or anything, but to try and split the stuff into what I need during labour and what can wait until later. I have also attached a list to the bag for all those items which can't be packed until the last minute. So here goes:
Come to think of it, I have developed a slight obsession with my waters breaking. I rushed out to Ikea to buy a mattress protector the other day and I won't sit on the sofa without having the old green travel rug (a freebie from the petrol station several years ago) underneath me. To some extent these fears are slightly ridiculous because the first sign of labour is rarely broken waters. On the other hand, I have been warned about the amazing rotting powers of amniotic fluid, which can apparently inflict damage to your mattress on a par with sulphuric acid.
One thing which makes me feel slightly more in control of the situation is having the hospital bag packed. So, what's in the bag? Well, first I must confess it's actually 2 bags, not because I'm going on a 2-week break or anything, but to try and split the stuff into what I need during labour and what can wait until later. I have also attached a list to the bag for all those items which can't be packed until the last minute. So here goes:
Labour essentials
Dreamgenii pillow - can't live without it!- Hospital documents (I'm pre-registered already so this part should be quite smooth)
- Several copies of my birth plan
- MP3 player (loaded with labour playlist) and small speakers
- Hypnobirthing book (with birth companion's 'to do' list earmarked!)
- Lavender eye mask (for blanking out the world if it all gets too much)
- Lavender and peppermint essential oils (lavender to instill calm, peppermint to ward off nausea)
- Rice sock (great for any aches and pains - just heat for 2 minutes in the microwave)
- Tennis ball (apparently good for giving a firm massage to an aching back)
- An old t-shirt dress (for giving birth in - don't bother taking anything too precious apparently!)
- Couple of flannels (so hubby can mop my fevered brow)
- Facial spray and fan (ditto)
- Socks and slippers (apparently it's quite common to alternate between feeling overheated and chilly during labour!)
- Dressing gown (in case I want to walk around without shocking the other patients!)
- Dreamgenii pillow http://www.dreamgenii.com (My very own comfort blanket - I've been using this to help me get comfortable in bed these last few months. After giving birth you can use it as a breast feeding pillow).
- Digital camera (issued with strict instructions for no 'below-the-waist' shots!)
The ultimate in neutral baby fashion:
Mothercare unisex starter set
Mothercare unisex starter set
- Starter pack of baby clothes (Mothercare) - 3 long sleeved and 3 short sleeved body suits, bootees, hat and scratch mits.
- Receiving blanket (to wrap up baby)
- Muslin cloths (essential for wiping up baby sick etc).
- Baby manicure kit (apparently baby's nails sometimes reach right round the fingertips by birth. Given our 'Frank Spencer' tendencies, I'd rather do baby's first manicure in a setting where we have emergency medical help on standby!)
After (Mummy's Stuff)
No, they are not eye patches!
No, they are not eye patches!- Nursing bras
- Comfy pyjamas
- Breast pads, super-sized sanitary towels and a pack of disposable knickers (the bit nobody wants to talk about - leaking body fluids galore. Enough said...)
- Wash bag with nice toiletries, toothbrush & paste. (Stuff the confinement tradition of not bathing for a month - I'll be taking a nice long shower thank you very much!)
- Make-up bag and hair brush
- Going home outfit
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