Hiya girls!
I was feeling so sorry for this little neglected blog of mine (because she does have feelings, you know) and thought I should really stop by to visit with her but couldn’t think of a single thing to say. I currently have absolutely no thoughts on Marriage, Moxie or Modesty unless you consider thoughts such as:
I sure am glad I’m married because I’d be pretty useless on my own right about now...
My moxie ran off and left me…
and
I couldn’t care less about modesty at the moment because I am so ridiculously hot (and not in a good way)…
to be thoughts worth sharing. Honestly, pretty much the only other thing I think about right now is:
How am I ever going to survive until this little one is born?
Now that is something I think about a lot. That, and just how awesome life will be after she does finally make her appearance. So, that’s what you’re gonna get (forgive me–I know this will be pretty dull for most of you out there):
The Betty Beguiles Official Guide to Surviving the Last Few Weeks of Pregnancy and Early Postpartum Period.
During my previous pregnancies I’ve stumbled upon a few items that have made my life a bit more bearable during such times so I thought I’d share them with you. I hope you find this list helpful!
Emergen-C
Dr. Christopher’s Prenatal Formula
Evening Primrose Oil
Alfalfa
AfterEase
Motherlove Nipple Cream
Lavender
Motherwear Cross Wrap Nightgown – I found the nightgown of my dreams. It’s super comfortable, breastfeeding-friendly and even kinda fetching (or so says Mr. Beguiles–though he may simply being trying to keep me from bursting into tears yet again). The only word of warning I will offer is this: if you are even remotely buxom buy a size larger than you think you will need. The cross-wrap top is pretty revealing.
Bravado Seamless Nursing Bra
Body Pillow
What are your must-have items for late pregnancy and the early postpartum days? Please do share! Take care!
25 Comments
I just did a post about this last week, but it was pretty much all food-related
http://blairandsteven.blogspot.com/2010/08/how-im-surviving-pregnant-august-in.html
Here's to hoping you're holding that baby very soon! I've still got about a month to go…
That was an absolutely delicious post, Blair!
OK, I have never been pregnant, nor will ever be pregnant, though I am "paper pregnant" at the moment for our 4th "born in my heart" child so I technically don't qualify for any of this stuff. However, do you think I can get myself one of those cute nursing nighties? Absolutely darling! I am going to pass that link along to some of my friends who are pregnant with babies in their tummies.
Will pray for you that this little one will make an on-time entrance so you don't have to endure longer than planned.
I will heartily second the Bravado Seamless Nursing Bra. I used it with my second, have still been wearing it even though I haven't been nursing for two years now, and will be buying another one to use with this little one due in a month or so. Mine's a bit stretched out by now.
I never get sick of people writing pregnancy posts! I guess having 4 kids within about 4 years will do that to a person! I'm pregnant with Number 4 right now with about 8 more weeks to go and I'm already feeling like I might not survive! Even though this is our fourth, it will be my first time nursing and I really appreciate the recommendations. All the options out there can be a little overwhelming.
Good luck in your last few weeks!
Thanks for sharing all your tips! I will definitely be coming back to this in a few months!
Red Raspberry! Great for uterus health!
I too love Dr Christopher's Prenatal. It does make a difference! I don't ever want a pregnancy without it. Ever. Again.
I "officially" love your guide. I usually just suffer through without using anything and I think I may have to start #6 seeing as now I have all these handy suggestions! I will bookmark this post.
p.s. I love nursing nightgowns. Sore nipples just feel better loved when wrapped in sweet soft cotton
Ummmm… Tetris? I do love a nice, distracting, cheap handheld game. That, and begging my MIL to take the kiddies so I can zombie out before and after new baby comes. The rest I just suffer through. But hey- I might try some of your suggestions with no. 7 on its way!
This list is wonderful! Thank you for sharing your tips. They will come in handy come November/December =)
Oooh! I only have time to scan this but I'm going to be soaking in every word when I have a longer moment…lol!
Oooh! I only have time to scan this but I'm going to be soaking in every word when I have a longer moment…lol!
Oh, I almost forgot. A treat for myself is to rent a whole bunch of old movies and musicals (things I want to watch but just don't have time for), and I watch them when I'm up at night with the baby. It gives me extra incentive to leave the comfy bed. In a way, I'm always a little disappointed when he/she finally sleeps through the night!
Awesome!! This comes in quite handy for me =) I have been wondering about the body pillow…any specific brand you recommend? I keep hearing how great they are and I think about it every night I can't get comfortable!
Bah! This was a bit late for me! I was due 9/18 but baby decided to cone this past Monday. I would have lives to haw used alfalfa because yeah, baby #4 cramping is worse than the others!! Thanks for the link for the nightgown and bra, I'll be checking them out.
My must haves are Epsom salt for plugged milk ducts and Gerber Breast Therapy packs. Immediate relief for when your milk comes in with a vengeance.
I have a friend right now who is SO miserably pregnant- I will be sending this to her! Thanks! The last few weeks are soooo hard!
Emergenc-C is my go-to rink when I feel a cold coming on. I'd never have thought to use it like you do. Will have to give it a try.
For the postpartum period, my needs might be a little different since I've had three c-sections.
First, I stock up on juice because when you're trying to get your milk supply established, you need lots of fluids and after a while water gets kind of boring. A nurse at the hospital where I delivered my first introduced me to a delicious cocktail of orange, cranberry, and apple juice. Somehow in the first few days, that drink just hits the spot like nothing else.
Also, I don't know how I'd survive without my recliner rocker (as soon as I get home). I can put my feet up to reduce the inevitable swelling. I still feel a little guilty about appropriating what was originally Dom's tv watching chair, delivered when I was expecting Bella. I'm afraid after she was born I sort of took it over. Now it's openly acknowledged to be my chair.
Finally! Someone else who isn't a Lansinoh fan!
Two thumbs up from me for the Motherlove cream. And a huge round of applause for alfalfa! will keep your birth in my prayers! 
This beats my method of staring out the window and crying for days on end. You are in my prayers!
I had a mild addiction to Cracklin' Oat Bran cereal in my last weeks, and post-baby. I even brought some to the hospital to combat the hospital food. Let's just say that anything with fiber is your friend when you contemplate your first post-baby poopie . . .
) TMI?
I found a good old TV tray to be indispensable after baby — it let me have all my essentials right there for nursing: books, baby nail clippers, burp cloths, etc. And I loved my Bravado bra too! I slept in it because I was monstrously large and leaky (!), and needed comfy support at night.
Our first two were tummy babies, and our second two were born of our hearts and adopted, so I haven't thought about this stuff for a few years!
Oh my, body pillows are the best! I could have never survived past pregnancy month 4 without my body pillows.
DH brought me home a Snoogle while preg with #2. Google the Snoogle. It is straight from heaven, honest. I took it to the hospital with me (those beds are the *worst*). It also works *so unbelievably well* after baby comes–use it while nursing in place of a Boppy, and at the same time you can wrap it around behind you for extra support. Really nice for getting comfy post partum when your milk is coming in and every position in bed is still uncomfortable.
Congratulations!
I could not have lived without "My Brest Friend" nursing pillow. My doula/lacation consultant gave me an old one of hers and it was wonderful. I hate the Boppy, but this wraps all the way around and is strongly attached, and gives you support for your back when you sit.
I could also stand up with the baby on the pillow, him against me, holding baby and front of pillow with one hand, to answer the phone or the door, etc. I'm sure there is some safety officer around to nix this seemingly dangerous thing, but it really wasn't at all. The pillow made such a difference in my comfort level.
I can't believe I found someone else who loves the Rice Sock!!! I call it a "Hot Sock" and created one after my m-i-l's dog ate the one she got from the store. She started to clean the mess and realized it was RICE in there. I've been making them ever since, but never thought to put it in the freezer! I make small ones with little kid athletic socks and heat them about 30 seconds. I use them on my face to ease sinuses and feel comfort during a cold. And of course, they are great for muscles. Thanks so much for the link. I also never thought to put lavender in them etc.
God Bless and I hope time flies for you.
Oh my gosh I LOVE this post! (I really do love all of your posts…) Anyway, I have baby fever in a major way, but I am in a weird state of not nursing/not pregnant. It's the first time for the whole 7 years we've been married, minus the first 10 days. haha
ANYWAY, I am going to keep this link for the future. Labor and delivery is SO my favorite part (not a fan of being pregnant…sigh). You have so many ideas that I have never heard of or seen on any other list that I just can't wait to check them all out. Especially the nursing bra, because my favorite has been discontinued and as we are on day 3 of not nursing after 13 months (yippee!) – it's seen better days. And is about to see the trash can.
Also, I just had to giggle when you mentioned the nursing night gown. OF COURSE Mr. Beguiles finds it fetching if "The cross-wrap top is pretty revealing."
Next time I'm pregnant (God willing), I will contact you about evening primrose oil. Very curious.
(Sorry for the super long comment…haha)
I'm 21 weeks into my 6th pregnancy and this is the first one that I've used any natural supplements. So, I'm learning as I go. My question…with the alfalfa, how much do you take, how often, how soon before you deliver? Sorry for all the questions, but if there's a help for that "oh so unpleasant" after birth time, I'd LOVE to try it!
If you're buying a Bravado nursing bra (as I just did after reading Beguiles' glowing report), buy it from the Bravado website with promotional code CSR-155 for 20% off your entire purchase. Woohoo! Of course, I also let them know that I heard about the bra from this blog, so I hope they send you something nice! Good luck with your newest beautiful baby! You can get through these first 6 weeks…it's all down hill from there!