Need your advice please ladies

 Hi there... it's me again!

Has anyone reading this:

- experienced the bliss of getting a professional massage or pedicure while pregnant?

- got any good tips on really useful things to pack in your labour bag for hospital

- able to give me any great reasons why their antenatal classes have proved invaluable?  

I'm writing another feature for the magazine, and would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to include real quotes so that other readers can get inspiration and great advice for their nine months.

 Look forward to hearing from you!

Thanks

Sarah x

Plenty of food/drink for yourself and partner. Worked for me as i had my hubby,mum,dad all with me throught my labour and birth.

Also a camera,for thoes 1st pics.

Yep dont forget the camera!!!

Also take a small selection of sizes of babygros and vests. I was told i was having an "average sized baby" only Lydia arrived weighing 5lb 9ozs so all the clothes i had were too big, so hubby and family had to go out and buy some that fitted her!. With George it was a similar problem.... i was told he was going to be a small baby, he weighed 8lb 7.5ozs and didnt fit the "small baby clothes we had brought!!!!!!.

A c.d of my favourite music was a great distraction for all of us, i hummed along to tunes when i had a contraction and that seemed to help the pain.

I have had both a pregnancy massage and a pedicure during this pregnancy and a massage during my previous pregnancy!

I am extremely lucky that my local sure start has a massage therapist who does pregnancy massage! I had my latest massage last week and have another booked in 2 weeks! I get 3 free treatments when pregnant too! The massage was unbelievably relaxing and soothing, especially on my aching back! I wish i could afford to book one every week!!!

The pedicure was very relaxing too, very strange for someone who has extremely ticklish feet! I felt very pampered when i left the salon having had a back massage and the pedicure!

Things to pack....

Magicool or a similar water type spray!

Lots of snacks as the machines are very expensive! Change for the food machines, phones and to buy a TV card if you are in for a while! Plenty of reading material for when things slow down and to take your mind off things!!!  Cardigan for the baby after the birth. Slippers or flip flops as the staff don't like you wandering barefoot. Sports cap water bottle, plastic cups are easy to knock over!!

Things to pack:

Drinking straws so you can still drink lying down without spilling it.  A flannel for mopping of brows, yours or hubbies!  Disposable knickers or cheap ones that you dont' mind throwing away after one wear.  The thickest, softest maternity towels you can find.  Portable DVD player with headphones, it can get very boring if you have to stay in.  Cheap nighdress so it doesn't matter when you leak on it.  Bit of simple makeup so you don't look too dreadful in the photos!  Pot with a lid for warm water to use with the cotton wool you also packed for cleaning baby's bottom if the midwives don't approve of wipes, some don't like them and won't let you use them.  Food for during and after the birth, if you miss a meal time you could go a long time without food (I had prawn sandwiches after nine months of abstaining!)