If only I’d known………….

As I head into my third trimester of pregnancy at break neck speed with baby number 6 (yes I did say 6), I came across the Aptaclub Preparing for Birth ap designed for mums just like me!

This brilliant new app is designed to support mums through the last trimester of pregnancy with editable checklists as well as answers to the myriad of questions we all have.

Now, with Baby number 6 you would think I have the whole pregnancy, birth and new baby thing mastered.  To a certain extent I have, but every pregnancy and every child is different, plus if you have a massive age gap like we do (*whispers* “20 years”) – things change……..alot!

My “if only I’d known” list goes like this………

• Once you are pregnant you are public property – forget trying to get round work / the supermarket / the school without various people prodding your bump and asking improper questions you would never normally ask a stranger, as soon as you have a noticeable bump you cannot hide!
• Everyone is an expert – I know they mean well, but you are given so much conflicting advice it’s a miracle you stay sane!
• Baby brain is a real issue – it’s not a myth, so far this week I have left shopping on the conveyor belt at the supermarket, lost my keys countless times, completely forgotten where I am going to once I have loaded the car and……..oh b****r  – I’ve forgotten
• Pregnancy symptoms are mostly unpleasant – I love being pregnant – that feeling of a new life growing inside you cannot be beaten, however, if it could be done without the sickness, backache, itching, piles, cramp and hormonal craziness it would be so much better!
• Labour – all dignity goes out the window and by the end you don’t give two hoots how many people are in that room with you!
• What you need for baby – All those cute, must have outfits are mostly impractical and a nightmare to get baby into.  Nappies, several vests and babygro’s, a couple of cardigans and a blanket to swaddle are all the items a newborn baby needs for the first few weeks – plus a few muslin squares to mop up the regurgitated milk.  YOU DON’T NEED A BABY WIPE WARMER MACHINE!
• What you need for you – those really thickly padded Maternity sanitary towels that you turned your nose up at – they are a godsend as you are extremely a little sore after giving birth.  That first shower is wonderful, so take some toiletries that make you feel extra special and take a couple of pairs of lightweight nightwear – post natal wards are hot, hot, hot!!
• Sleep when baby sleeps – especially in the early days as he/she has no concept of day and night!
• Housework – it’s not in your vocabulary – end of!
• Finally – the world and its wife will want to visit you as soon as you walk through the front door.  Get your husband / partner to answer the phone and field the calls.  Don’t book too many visitors in at once – one or two a day is plenty, and devise a codeword to use with your partner which basically means “tell them to sling their hook”.