Mamas Unite! We need a long, fun thread!

hmm- bolding my answers

Name 3 things you can't do without while you are pregnant and/or after you've had the baby. (could be your favorite bra, a food, a vitamin or a special nightie) while pregnant- i cannot live without MY BODY PILLOW! ginger ale & the belly band type things that allow you to wear the same pants the whole pregnancy

(oh and i suppose later on the fetoscope- in my last trimester, i seriously listen to my babys heartbeat like every hour!)

after pregnancy- i cannot live without- the breast pump (for a few hours of extra sleep!) nice bath stuff/lotions/etc. & nice teas- mothersmilk tea etc.

Name 3 pieces of advice (from experience) you wish you could tell every mother that makes YOUR pregnancy or delivery rock!

hmm this one is tough- for me just trusting your body. i had a 16 hour induced labor where basically every doctor that came into my room was pushing me to use drugs, but i was able to do it naturally ON PITOCIN! it was tough, but doable. umm, another one.. i was so convinced that i was going to love sitting on the birth ball, but after my water broke it was more awkward than comfortable. and a third- and this was my most important one. i used a mirror while pushing. it was so empowering being able to see the progress my body was making and knowing just how much to push, etc. i think that is why i had NO TEARS at all, even though my kid had a big noggin. that and the feeling the whole thing and not being numb helped too

Name 3 things that are on your wish list. (whether it's for you OR the baby)

toddler bed for dd- we coslept since birth, and never bought a crib for her- but now that she is older she prefers to sleep alone (much to mamas dissapointment!) dh and i are both light sleepers and she inherited that- she wakes up at the slightest noise or movement, so she has been sleeping in a portacrib. it will be nice to move her to a bed and be able to use what she has for the new baby if he/she is a light sleeper too.

nice glider or rocking chair for nursing

i'd like to get a co-sleeper or sidecar a crib for this new baby

Feel free to add things as we continue...

hope this doesn't sound corny [/QUOTE]

that was fun

cant wait to read everyone elses answers!

I'll play. I lost my post at some point trying to reply.

For me, the top 3 for pregnancy and after baby are:
-Slings. Loved all of mine for different purposes. I couldn't narrow it down to just one LOL. Moby, Ergo, Mei Tei, and Maya Ring sling (my fav for nursing is the Maya).
-a supportive partner, willing to pitch in w/ the kids, to make sure I have food and water while trapped in long nursing sessions, who doesn't care that the house is messy or jumps in to help when it gets that way.
-Peri bottles. Oh, how I loved them LOL. With DS, I had a small tear so I really loved mine. While pg with DD I actually ordered extras to have on hand so I could have one for every bathroom. I didn't tear with her, but still loved having extras LOL.

For labor and delivery:
I loved Hypnobabies and Hypnobirthing
I loved moving. I had electronic fetal monitoring periodically while laboring w/ DS and in retrospect should have declined. The only time I was uncomfy was while hooked to a monitor because I felt so much better while moving. Fortunately my doula played the bad guy and made sure my nurse hooked me up so I could be on the ball, on all 4s, etc while the monitors were on. With DD I just had intermittent doppler checks (delivered in a different setting).
I found it helpful to do the birth affirmations and fear release parts of hypnobabies/hypnobirthing. I think even if you don't go with a hypnosis program these are helpful. I had a lot of fears about childbirth before getting pg with my first (mostly from those ridiculous crazy labor and delivery shows ). Looking at those fears and working through them was really helpful...learning to trust birth, to trust my body (which I found very empowering after dealing w/ infertility issues to conceive my DS).

3 things on my wish list.
-obviously a happy, healthy labor and delivery and baby.
-Maybe another sling. Baby K'tan? ERgo insert? I bought my ergo when DD was a few months old so never used an infant insert. I don't know.
-I'm not a baby container person but I've considered a side to side swing this time around. Both of my kids were not swing lovers (DS hated, DD tolerated for 10-15 mins). My old swing was just a FP 6 speed that went forward/back. The side to side ones get great reviews. With 2 older kids, it might be helpful sometimes.
-oh, and #4 because #1 was non material LOL would be more nursing tanks. Mine are beat up after years of nursing.

Quote:

ohh yeah, this for me too!

Sorry to start this post and then run but it was time to lay down with the littluns and get them to sleep. (tanx AmandaAmanda for getting us started!) Okay! My turn:

Name 3 things you can't do without while you are pregnant and/or after you've had the baby:
1. Bravado Bra! They rock! They are by far THE most comfy bras for pregnancy and nursing!
2. My 2 fave vit/min. : Cal/Mag - stops my insomnia and achiness so I can sleep! (It also helps keep me regular... no joke! No bloating while I take it!) SlowFE (doesn't upset my stomach at all!!)
3. My dh's Calvin Klein Tshirts - they are THE softest! I wear them to sleep in while I'm pg and even delivered in one! I don't know why it's mainly when I'm pg. Otherwise, I like my pj's!!

Name 3 pieces of advice (from experience) you wish you could tell every mother that makes YOUR pregnancy or delivery rock!
1. I have delivered 5 different ways: one with an epidural, 2 induced on pitocin without any painkillers, 1 natural in the hospital w/ob, 1 in a birthing center with a m/w and 1 UC at home w/dh! Take my advice and go for the homebirth first, whether it's with a m/w or your dh... you won't regret it!
2. Having a supportive dh that is 100% there with me thru the pregnancy and delivery means everything!! I think it's very important to be in agreement about certain aspects of pregnancy and delivery. It empowered me and also made me feel safe.
3. It's your pregnancy! Don't let anyone in that isn't going to be happy being at your party for 9 months! Not even family!! Pregnancy is too short to have to ward off negative junk!

Name 3 things that are on your wish list. (whether it's for you OR the baby)
1. MATERNITY CLOTHES! (or just clothes that fit! haha)
2. A New House!!
3. A collection of slings!

Name 3 things you can't do without while you are pregnant and/or after you've had the baby. (could be your favorite bra, a food, a vitamin or a special nightie)

#1 a kick butt husband who spoils me
#2 a supportive HCP, I just need someone to say "hey you're normal you're doing awesome keep being the gestastional/lactating rockstar you are"
#3 a wrap, I can live without a wrap but the first few months post partum with the wrap are heaven!

Name 3 pieces of advice (from experience) you wish you could tell every mother that makes YOUR pregnancy or delivery rock!

#1 for delivery, keeping my mouth/jaw/throat loose and relaxed, relaxed mouth=relaxed bottom
#2 you can always change HCP! It's NEVER too late.
#3 enjoy it

Name 3 things that are on your wish list. (whether it's for you OR the baby)

#1 a new wrap
#2 new maternity clothes, I've never been pregnant very long in the winter
#3 a house, I wish we could move

Name 3 things you can't do without while you are pregnant and/or after you've had the baby.

sunflower seeds, pellegrino and fruit.

Name 3 pieces of advice (from experience) you wish you could tell every mother that makes YOUR pregnancy or delivery rock!

My first, so everything is new to me right now.

Name 3 things that are on your wish list. (whether it's for you OR the baby

A new house with a yard, a new house with a yard and a new house with a yard.

Name 3 things you can't do without while you are pregnant and/or after you've had the baby. (could be your favorite bra, a food, a vitamin or a special nightie) while pregnant-
CEREAL.. Yup, boxed run of the mill cereal. Not too hard on the stomach in the morning..
DH'S SHIRTS.. Big and comfy. My gym stuff looks funny on me even already and they're nice to sleep in too since he isn't home.
ORIGINS STRESS-RELIEVER.. It's a little de-stresser that has peppermint essential oil.. It makes me not feel like barfing or screaming at coworkers..

after pregnancy-
Nice frosty beer!
New running shoes
and..... IDK cos I don't have munchkin yet

Name 3 pieces of advice (from experience) you wish you could tell every mother that makes YOUR pregnancy or delivery rock!

I'll get back to you

Name 3 things that are on your wish list. (whether it's for you OR the baby)

breastpump (I know the place I work is going to act like a bunch of idiots about me trying to breastfeed)
a sling for munchkin carrying
a moses basket!

Name 3 things you can't do without while you are pregnant and/or after you've had the baby.

Orangina, raw apple cider vinegar, and my DH (not in order!)

Remember, there is nothing more important than Baby and getting nursing off to a good start, so remind yourself that you are investing in Baby when you rest and take good care of yourself and allow others to help you.

Name 3 pieces of advice (from experience) you wish you could tell every mother that makes YOUR pregnancy or delivery rock!

When in transition, focus on keeping your jaw as relaxed as possible -- it helps to keep everything else relaxed!

Take it easy on yourself. This is a relatively short period of your life, so try not to stress about the dishes or too much TV for the other kids.

It's your birth. Don't compromise. You will treasure the memory more when it is more in line with what you wanted.

Name 3 things that are on your wish list. (whether it's for you OR the baby

My house to be all put away, organized, and fixed very pretty (we moved three months ago)

ALL NEW DIAPERS: DS number two totally trashed all of our diapers. He was truly hard on them.

I really wish to feel better. Pregnancy is so hard for me. Much harder than birth. I am so tired. I am less nauseous, but still had a barf session last night.

Name 3 things you can't do without while you are pregnant and/or after you've had the baby. (could be your favorite bra, a food, a vitamin or a special nightie)

My ergo for on the go!!
pretzels for nausea
bone broths for restoring and strengthing the body

Name 3 pieces of advice (from experience) you wish you could tell every mother that makes YOUR pregnancy or delivery rock!

Let hubby take care of you
I love warm (not hot) baths with tea and aromatherapy oil for my belly
I have older kids (9 and 6) who let me nap when needed

Name 3 things that are on your wish list. (whether it's for you OR the baby)

maya wrap
sushi as soon as I pop this sushi fun killer out
patience and stamina to keep up with new baby, homeschooling, and babysitting

Name 3 things you can't do without while you are pregnant and/or after you've had the baby. (could be your favorite bra, a food, a vitamin or a special nightie)

#1 Cute, comfy, stylish maternity clothes. I always feel so much more frumpy when I'm pregnant and good clothes go a long way toward not feeling frumpy.
#2 Four pillows to sleep with
#3 Bubble baths (not TOO hot)

Name 3 pieces of advice (from experience) you wish you could tell every mother that makes YOUR pregnancy or delivery rock!

#1 Buy yourself cute maternity clothes. Spend wisely because you aren't going to wear them for long, but get some clothes you really like to wear. It will help so much!
#2 Your pregnancy, your baby, your body, your birth. Fight for what you want and don't compromise. This is your baby's birthday...you have to live with what happens for the rest of your lives. It's just another day at work for everyone else, so don't let them tell you what you can and can't do!
#3 Don't do anything without thinking it through. Circ, breastfeeding, epidural, vax...there's a story behind everything. Don't make *ANY* decisions out of ignorance (because even the "right" choice, made in ignorance, can end up being wrong for your family).

Name 3 things that are on your wish list. (whether it's for you OR the baby)
#1 A 5th bedroom and 3rd bathroom. We can either change the configuration of our house and turn our 2nd living area into a bedroom or we can move. I'm not sure which I'd rather do.
#2 A reason to look at pink, pukey, gag-me girly stuff
#3 A single basin kitchen sink with a garbage disposal. I hate kneeling next to the bathtub to bathe babies. And the garbage disposal because all the little food bits in the sink make me pukey.

Name 3 things you can't do without while you are pregnant and/or after you've had the baby.

cardigan sweaters - I seem to wear them constantly pregnant, and use them for covering my belly while nursing afterward
massages from dh
handheld food - for now it's burritos, for nursing times (last time) it was muffins and croissants. And I keep lots frozen so I've always got them around.

Name 3 pieces of advice (from experience) you wish you could tell every mother that makes YOUR pregnancy or delivery rock!

Yes, you will forget about a lot of the discomfort (from pregnancy and labor). Thank goodness it doesn't last forever.
Start nursing ASAP. Nursing right after birth is incredibly sweet.
If you are birthing with nurses around, make sure they know your wishes. They'll do a lot for you (more than others) to get you what you're wanting out of your birth. I had some great RN's during my labor.

Name 3 things that are on your wish list. (whether it's for you OR the baby)

mei tei
DH to cook a LOT more
to be done having things worked on in our house (I'm really appreciating the changes, we've had our kitchen updated - but no energy to put anything back together, or put up with much more continual work, which there still is. Waaaah! It's such a mess, who can live in this place! And I just want to be alone in my own house, feeling horrible! More waaaah!)

Name 3 things you can't do without while you are pregnant and/or after you've had the baby.

I'll go with my Bravado nursing bras, prenatal massage, and dark chocolate.

Name 3 pieces of advice (from experience) you wish you could tell every mother that makes YOUR pregnancy or delivery rock!

1. Moan deeply into your contractions, loose lips and all that, plus breathing the baby down; 2. Don't panic if you efface before you dilate (especially if you're a first time mom). I effaced 100% to 4 cm, then went complete in 30 minutes after freaking out that I would have to labor for another six hours; 3. Doula, doula, doula!

Name 3 things that are on your wish list. (whether it's for you OR the baby)

This time around I really want a glider, a comfy vibrating infant swing/bed thing for when I absolutely HAVE to put the LO down, since I have a toddler and it will be harder for me to carry the new one 100%, and I also want to have someone in to deep clean the house before the baby is born.

ETA: The fourth thing I want is a post-partum doula. Priceless in the first two weeks to have someone cook, clean, and look after DS for a bit.