Possible Pre- Labour and My Pregnancy Essentials

Helloo :)

I'm now 39 weeks and 5 days pregnant, and due to meet my baby boy in 2 days time (eek!) and i am feeling VERY pregnant.
Nothing out of 'the norm' except that I have been having some pains right at the bottom of my bump, about where the bikini line is, and sometimes in my 'lady bits'.
its not constant or anything, but it is getting more frequent, IE, on a daily basis.
I'm not entirely sure if these are normal 'just my body getting ready to give birth' type of twinges, or if they are minor contractions at the start of labour, as they start off with a tightening feeling, like normal Braxton Hicks (which i have been getting since about week 25) then get painful.
Hmmm, i suppose i will find out soon enough!
My OH Simon is at a gig in Manchester tonight, so i was half expecting to go into labour, just because he is over an hour away and this night has been long planned, but so far, this baby is a no-show!
Anywho, i thought i would tell you which items i have found to be indispensable and worth every penny during my pregnancy, and will keep hold of for any future pregnancies, or would definitely buy again.

So, in no particular order:

*Bump Support Belt/Band - i got my basic bump support band from Mothercare a day after boxing day, when i was 25-26 weeks gone, as i felt like my bump was getting heavy and i remember my bump and surrounding area hurting and feeling like my belly was 'dragging' downwards. I think i paid between £8-£12, not much at all really, and it has been worth every penny. I don't wear it all the time, just when i feel the need,and it really does help relieve the dragging feeling.
It has a supportive band to the bottom which sits under your bump, then the normal fabric wraps around the bump, and you Velcro it at the back, however tight you need to, so it will fit whichever stage of pregnancy you are at.
I also found that it doubles as an 'under top'  that i can wear underneath a normal non-maternity top that is a little too short for my bump. Bonus!

*DreamGenii Pregnancy Support and Feeding Pillow - This pillow is AMAZING! I got mine second hand, and i have been using it from quite early on in my pregnancy, and i have found it to be fantastic support at all stages of my pregnancy. It helps me stay comfortable, and have felt my bump and back were supported whenever i use it. I have not tried it (yet!) as a feeding support pillow, but even if that doesn't work out, I will continue to use it as a sleeping buddy, because i would miss it so much if i were to be without it!

*Maternity Long line Nursing Vests - Although the normal style longer vests would do just the same job in terms of wearing them under normal non-maternity tops, i feel that you get more value for money (if you are planning on breastfeeding) paying slightly more for the feeding vests as you can obviously use them to your advantage after you have your baby, without showing off the inevitable jelly-belly.
I have got several Mothercare ones in basic white and black (they go with everything!) and the are just basic vests with the clip bits, but i have seen the ones with built-in support if preferred.

*Bravado Seamless Feeding/Maternity Bra -  I have a few of these fab bra's and had i known how good they were, i wouldn't have bought any other type. (except for my night time crop-top style feed bra, as its so comfy!)
Now, they are not the sexiest bra i have come across (not by a looooong shot!) but they are amazingly comfortable as they are seamless, and actually grow with your boobs as you get bigger.
I actually think i will cry when i no longer need to wear these, and go back to the under wired variety (much as i have missed the support!) because this is the only bra i have come across during my pregnancy that has made me feel properly supported in the chesticle area. Sob!

Those are the holy grail for me maternity wise, but i also really recommend (and really wish i had stuck to doing/using myself) the following:

*Bio-Oiling - twice daily EVERY day. Once-when-i-could-be-bothered didn't work. using it as recommended may have prevented my stretchmarks :(

*Moisturising - ditto, as my bump and legs get so dry due to hormone changes

*Birthing Ball - i got mine around 35 weeks, and wish i had gotten one earlier, as its sooo comfortable and supporting!

*Resting Feet -  as recommended above heart height may have help prevent the water retention causing elephant feet i have now.

That's all i can think off right now, but i may end up adding things as i remember them x