Ftm 31 weeks pregnant advice please 🫶🏻

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1. i never used the silicone patches or peri bottle. bought the bottle but it just wasn't useful for me. i found maneuvering the bottle harder than just wiping. equally, just kept the dressing on as long as i was told then kept the area dry which is the main thing that could cause infection. pat dry and air out after a shower or any time you sweat (only did this every few days as needed). my scar healed great.

2. your breasts will be close enough by now to get the maternity bras. i got mine earlier and they still worked. best ones for me have been boux avenue and momcozy. just make sure you remeasure yourself and compare sister sizes as your 'true' size might be hard to find but will be basically interchangeable with sister sizes.

3. a month before in both cases but i should've packed the hospital bag sooner because baby came at 37+1. we were done washing clothes but not packing the bag. it's never too early for the bag and you'll feel better knowing it's done, but you don't want clothes getting musty

I was recommended mepiform silicone patches, and used them but they were really expensive (I wore the same one for a good week or so before changing). That said I was quite happy with how the scar healed and appears etc so if I have another c section I probably would do it again though I'll never know what it would have been like without. I had bought a peri bottle (c section wasn't planned) but I don't think you need it for a c section, I think it's more to prevent stinging if you tear/have an episiotomy when you pee.

We moved out of our house at 34 weeks (building work, wouldn't recommend) so I sorted out all the baby clothes which were from my sister hand-me-downs and hospital bag after we moved but no harm in getting the basics done before if you have time. I quite enjoy the organising bit so given you're 31w I think any time from now is fine!

Make sure you bring loose, baggy clothing for post c-section. I really struggled with leggings or anything with a tight waistband for weeks and found pj's or cotton trousers best. Never used silicone patches or steri-bottles. The m&s maternity bra's are great but I would size up slightly or hold off. You may end up very engorged and needing a larger size. Pack your hospital bag as early as possible- you never know!

I washed all the clothes in my second trimester and I'm glad it was done so I could rest once I was on maternity, I don't think I'd have had the energy to be doing loads of washing and putting it all away!
I only packed my bags properly like maybe a month before but I had a list and had been putting bits in as I got them so everything was in one place just in case and it meant it wasn't too much effort finishing off cause I knew where everything was and what I had left to pack.
Didn't get my bras until like after 36 weeks I don't think, they were one of the last things I had to put in my bag and I wish I'd got slightly bigger/more stretchy ones, they were super uncomfortable at the start when my milk came in