The size of your baby makes digestion difficult for you. Eat several small meals consisting mainly of stewed fruit, cereals and dairy products instead of big lunches or dinners.
Regular visits to the doctor are recommended during the last month until the baby is born. Your doctor should review with you labour and delivery, answer any questions, and reassure you about any concerns
During the final weeks, the increasing size of your abdomen may intensify any discomforts you may experience, such as breathlessness, insomnia, involuntary urinary incontinence, varicose veins and hemorrhoids.
If the date of your scheduled delivery passes, be patient because this date falls within a range of 38 to 42 weeks. But, beginning with the 41st week, it is in your best interest to be monitored every other day, preferably in the hospital.
It is becoming increasingly popular for mothers to give birth in their homes. With excellent midwife facilities and hospitals close by in case of an emergency, mothers prefer the comfort of their own home. It is really a personal choice whether you decide to give birth at home or in hospital. You should discuss all options with your doctor, for he/she may decide that a hospital birth would be better in case of any complications, for example, a breech birth.
Provides good environment if your home is not suitable
Full medical back-up is available should a complication develop
You have contact with other mothers and babies
If you need help, 24-hour support is available
There may be a lack of privacy and intimacy
Medical intervention is more likely
Old nightdress or loose T-shirt (hospitals provide their own gowns for delivery but if you want to wear your own clothes, make sure they are disposable ones)
Face Cloths for while in labour and a natural sponge
Water spray - for cooling
Bottled water
Hot water bottle
Socks
Camera - to click any memorable moments
2-3 nightdresses -front opening if you will be breast feeding
5-6 old or disposable knickers
24 stick-on maternity sanitary towels (superabsorbent)
Dressing gown
Old slippers
Towels
Washbag with face cloths and toiletries
Tissues
Breast pads
Nipple cream
Nursing bras (if breast feeding)
Pen
Plastic bag for dirty linen
Loose, comfortable clothes for going home (remember, you will still not be able to fit into your pre-pregnancy clothes)
Sleepsuits
Nappies
Vests
Cardigans
Cotton wool
Blanket/Shawl
'Best' outfit for a photo in the hospital
Nappy Cream
Scratch mitts
Hat
Freedom from hospital rules and strict routines
A more private and intimate birth is possible
There is no need to travel or be moved about while in labour and afterwards
Your family share more in birth
You may need to be transferred to a hospital, if complications arise
You may not get as much rest afterwards if you have to look after your family
Although you may want to give birth in a particular room, it is best to be flexible and prepare a couple of rooms so that there are no last minute confusions. It should be warm and have easy access to warm water. It should also be spacious and have enough room for the midwife to move around. Your house should be within easy access where an ambulance can reach you in case of an emergency. There should be a toilet close to the room and a telephone either in or quite close to the room
If you have other children, you may want to arrange for someone to come to your house and look after them so that you and your birth partner can concentrate on the delivery.
To prepare the bed for delivery, place a clean undersheet first over the mattress and cover it with a plastic sheet. Place another clean undersheet over the plastic one. When this sheet gets dirty during birth, it can be removed along with the plastic sheet and you will have a freshly made bed under it.
You may be very hungry after giving birth so it is a good idea to prepare some food beforehand and freeze it. This prepared food will also be handy in the first few days after the baby is born.
A bed with a firm mattress There should be two clean surfaces next to the bed - one for the midwife to keep her equipment and the other for the baby's examination after birth by the midwife.
You need to have sufficient plastic sheets to protect the bed and the surrounding floor from the amniotic fluid and the blood from the delivery. Alternatively you can use old sheets and shower curtains.
Have some bin liners so that cleaning up after delivery is easier.
Have plenty of cushions and pillows so that you are able to keep yourself comfortable during labour.
A low stool for squatting purposes.
A hard-backed chair to sit and lean over.
Clean towels, sheets and blankets.
Large plastic bowls and soap
A lamp or other source of bright light which will be needed by the midwife to examine you from time to time.
Camera for photographs
Stick-on maternity towels
Disposable knickers
Old T-shirt/nightdress for giving birth in
Socks
Breast pads
Nursing bras
Front-opening nightdress for wearing after birth
Slippers
Flannels
Clean towels
Hot water bottle
Soft, clean towels and sheets.
Baby growers
Vests
Nappies (either disposable or toweling)
Nappy cream
Cotton wool
Scratch mittens
Baby blanket or shawl
Basket, cot or crib
Changing mat