Free Advice

The strange space that is pregnancy advice.

Now that I've had Milla I feel full of good advice about pregnancy and childbirth that needs to be shared.

I also love Milla so much that I think everyone should have a baby and experience this joy.

Unfortunately that's all a bit ridiculous and inappropriate.

But along my pregnancy journey I felt like there was a lot of secret women's business. And a great deal of confusing garbage and guilt.

Without further ado, some general tips for pregnancy, and birth.

• Eat dates
• Elevate your legs
• Do yoga
• Go to all the classes
• Get the hospital tour
• Write a birth plan, with your partner. Start it as soon as you realise you have an opinion about some aspect of birthing
• Stock up on iron as your big day approaches
• Walk walk walk (and elevate legs after)
• Have a list handy of the cheeses to avoid
• Buy a bolster or pregnancy pillow
• Don't keep wearing your good clothes unless you're happy for them to be stretched
• Moisturise your tummy morning and evening, use different creams/oils
• Have a nighty to dress the baby in at the hospital
• Learn how to switch your pelvic floor on and off
• Sleep on your left
• Go to the pool
• Take snacks with you everywhere
• Evening primrose in your last weeks
• Plan to have toilet breaks, particularly important working in your last trimester
• Get really good at resting
• Most importantly, guard against stress. Do everything you can to eliminate stress. Don't feel you need to make all the decisions about pregnancy and birth and parenting RIGHT NOW.