Preparing yourself for the birth:
- Pack your bag for hospital at least four weeks before your due date.
- If you have older children, decide who’ll look after them when you’re in labour and arrange back-up support
- Make sure you can contact your partner at all times as you can go into labour at any time of day or night.
- Stock up the freezer, so you don’t need to cook when you come home
- If possible, arrange for someone to help around the house during the early days, so you can concentrate on feeding and caring for your baby
Your hospital bag:
- Ø Nighties or Pyjamas
- Ø Nursing bras
- Ø Breast pads
- Ø Nipple cream
- Ø Maternity pads
- Ø Dressing gowns
- Ø Slippers
- Ø Books or magazines
- Ø Toiletries
- Ø Make-up
- Ø Tissues
- Ø Phone book
- Ø Going home clothes
- Ø Favourite snacks
What to pack in your hospital Bag:
Delivery ward bag: Mother
- 2 nightdresses
- Lightweight dressing gown
- Slippers
- Toiletries
- Bath Towel
- Panties
- Maternity sanitary towels
- Lip balm
- Snacks
- Camera
- Personal stereo/something to read
- Birth plan
Delivery ward bag: Baby
- Babygro
- Vest
- 2 nappies
- Towel
Postnatal Ward Bag: Mother
- 4 nightdresses/pyjamas (front opening if you plan to breast feed)
- Bath Towel
- Maternity Bra
- Breast pads
- Maternity Sanitary towels (2 packs)
- Lots of cotton underwear or disposable pants
- Phone cards/Coins/Mobile phone/Phone charger
- Plastic bags to send washing home in
- Have your going home outfit ready at home for your partner to bring in. Don’t forget to choose something loose fitting
Postnatal Ward Bag: Baby
- 2 Soft towels
- 6 – 8 Babygros
- 6 cotton vests
- baby scratch mits/baby hat
- 2 cardigans
- cotton wool
- Vaseline
- Babybath lotion
- Soft blanket
- Bag of disposable nappies
Low blood pressure is not a disease, but a symptom of something else. Most sufferers will notice a reason for their dizziness like:
- not eating for a few hours or
- not drinking enough fluids or
- standing up very quickly or
- having a hot bath.
How might you prevent these dizzy spells?
Keep yourself well hydrated especially in hot weather. Remember caffeine reduces the amount of fluids you have so excess consumption should be avoided. If you have ever been lucky enough to holiday somewhere warm, espresso is served with a glass of water, to avoid dehydration.
Do not leave really long periods of time without eating. It may be as simple as having some fruit always to hand. A quarter of an orange is a great way to make sure your sugar levels do not drop between meals or on a hectic day.
When standing up, do it gradually to allow your body time to pump blood to your brain. If you feel dizzy sit again, and then get your blood pumping by wiggling your toes or swinging your legs. Then slowly try again.
If you still feel these dizzy spells please approach the pharmacist or your GP. If you are on medication ask the pharmacist if it might be causing your dizzy spells. If you have lost a lot of weight recently again check with your pharmacist or doctor if any of your medication doses may need adjusting. Never ever change the way you take your medication without asking your health professional FIRST!
High blood pressure
If your blood pressure reading is consistently above 140/90 (on more than three occasions while you are at REST), then please approach your pharmacist or GP for advice.
You can take some steps to reduce your blood pressure but if the reading exceeds 150/90 you absolutely MUST contact your GP. High blood pressure accelerates damage to the arteries and the formation of plaques on the artery walls, leading to higher risk of heart disease and stroke.
High blood pressure often has no symptoms until organ damage occurs. For this reason it is a good idea to have your blood pressure monitored by a health professional regularly (every 6 months).
Signs of sudden, severe high blood pressure may include headaches, sweating, rapid pulse, shortness of breath, dizziness, sleeplessness and visual disturbances.
What can I do to get my blood pressure slightly lower?
- Achieve and maintain a healthy weight. (BMI between 19.5 and 24.9)
For every quarter stone you are overweight the systolic (or higher) reading goes up by 1-3mmHg. Really it means your heart has to work harder because there is more body for it to pump the blood to. If you have not exercised in a while you should discuss a plan with a health professional before starting.
- Reduce the amount of caffeine you are consuming. This is especially important for those on more than two cups of coffee, tea or cola per day. Use decaffeinated coffee and decaffeinated tea or a caffeine free cola. An easy way to do this is switching to herbal teas or water.
