What will I need after the birth?

In preparing your nursery, don't forget to take the time to think about your own needs. You are going to be very tired, and in a great deal of pain after the birth. To put it lightly, you'll feel like you've been hit by a truck. Devote some time into putting some nice things for yourself around the house, whether it be yummy foods in the fridge, or a book by your favourite author by the bed.

What else will you need?

• Towels Towels Towels. At least a dozen. Ones that can be warm washed and won't run dye. Good quality ones too, that don't scratch the skin. You'll need them under you and baby on the bed, to catch milk, blood, wee and poo. Expect to change them multiple times a day.
• Maternity Pads. The best thing you thought about pregnancy was that you didn't have your period for nine months. Well, think again. After birth, you can bleed very, very heavily for up to six weeks. Hmmmm, so chunky you could carve it. For at least four of those weeks, you be wanting to change your pad every time you visit the loo, to make sure you don't get eczema on those tender bits. So, buy at least six packets of maternity pad. Ultra slim is best, because they irritate the perineum least.
• Organic honey on the comb. Slather it on the pads to make them more soothing.
  
• Litres and litres of water. Take the volume you usually drink, and at least double or triple it. Giving your baby liquid food really makes you dehydrated, and before you know it it's been half a day since you peed. Have lots of insoluble fibre too, but avoid Metamusil because the citric acid it contains irritated baby's tum.
• Pure Vitamin E oil for any stretch marks, raw nipples or scars.
  
• A sympathetic partner, who will attend to you every need, and close family who will bring takeaway.

What things did you find helpful post-partum?

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