Pack your bags 35 to 37 weeks into your pregnancy to ensure that you are ready without forgetting the necessities.
Consider packing two small bags for the hospital, one for your labour and the other for after your delivery.
Important documents to pack
With the hype and excitement don’t forget to pack important personal documents for your admission and hospital paperwork.
Your Identity Card (ID)
Pre-registration forms given by your gynaecologist or hospital
Birth plan outlining your requirements and preferences for giving birth in accordance with the hospital’s policies.
Medical Aid card
Pre-authorisation number from your medical aid
Items to pack for labour
Dressing gown: You will have to change into a theatre gown for the delivery procedure but a bathrobe comes in handy before and after your delivery. Due to the open design of the hospital gowns, a dressing gown or bathrobe will help to keep your dignity and make you feel more comfortable if you need to walk around before and after going into delivery.
Socks or slippers: Your feet could get cold while waiting to go into the delivery unit so having a pair of socks handy can help. A pair of slippers is vital, the slip-on ones are convenient and can be left besides your bed so you don’t have to walk barefoot on the bare hospital floors.
Hairband: During the delivery you will feel hot, a hairband will help to keep your hair off your face.
Cell Phone:  Your cell phone will be handy to contact family or friends to keep them updated on the arrival of your baby. You may also want to use it to take pictures and videos before and after your bundle of joy enters the world.
Diversions: A few books, crossword puzzles or magazines may help ease stress levels and divert you from overthinking your procedure.
Essential oil: Toss your favourite essential oil into your bag for a massage from your partner to relieve tensions and back pains.
Toiletries: Such as a hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, face wash, shampoo, conditioner, lotion to refresh yourself before delivery and post-delivery.
Items to pack after delivery
Underwear: You may prefer and feel comfortable using your own cotton underwear after delivery than the disposal underwear offered by the hospital.
Nursing bras: A suitable nursing or underwire bra will provide support and coverage, unless you prefer to be braless.
Sanitary pads: Pack enough heavy duty maternity pads because you’ll bleed after your delivery. Maternity pads are more suitable than ordinary sanitary pads as they are softer, longer and more absorbent.
Night dress: Pack in a few night dresses to wear during recovery rather than using the ones provided by the maternity unit.
Snacks: After birth, the feeling of thirst and hunger is normal; pack your favourite refreshments, snacks and bites.
A note pad or journal and a pen: Jot down key points from the midwives or maternity staff on correct approaches to consider when nursing your baby. Track feeding schedules and pediatrician advice to aid your baby’s nutrition or any questions that come to mind that you would like to ask maternity staff or doctors at a later stage.
Going Home outfit: Choose your outfit dependent on the weather, make sure it’s something you will feel comfortable in.

Some craving alternatives

Sugary

If you have a sweet tooth, remember sugar cravings can lead to more sugar cravings and this includes the sugar found in carbs. Be aware of overdoing your sugar cravings to prevent pregnancy diabetes. Switch to dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate as it contains less sugar and flavonoids. For ice cream craves try an alternative like frozen yoghurt which has less sugar than regular ice cream. You can also try making your own healthy milkshakes, while there are many biscuit and cake recipes available that replace sugar with a healthier option like honey rather

Salty

From pickles to vinegary popcorn spice and all things salty in between, the moderation and intake of salt during your pregnancy is vital. Some expectant mothers to be may only crave salty and spicy food and others not at all. Too much salt in your meal can lead to High Blood Pressure (HBP). Pickles are a healthier option and can help control salt cravings, but everything in moderation. Most canned foods and packet sauces or powders also have a high salt (and sugar) content, it’s always wise to check the labels.

Spicy

Whether its Mexican, Indian or Chinese spicy food and even if it’s a chilli, pregnant women often do crave spicy food; treating yourself with some spice is not necessarily harmful, however they must be eaten in moderation as they can aggrevate heartburn and digestive issues afterwards.

Fast food

Even when you not pregnant it’s so easy to turn to fast food outlets for pizza, burgers and chips. Try stop yourself from jumping into your car and heading off to the closest drive-thru when your cravings feel as though they driving you to do this. To deter bad food cravings, think about all the post pregnancy weight gain you will have to contend with and how unhealthy this type of food is for you and your baby. Try change your thought pattern to making your own nutritious pizza or sandwich with healthier ingredients instead.

Fruits and veggies

You one of the lucky ones if your cravings lean towards fruit and veggies and all things green instead of meat. These foods are not only important in everyday life but even more so during pregnancy as they contain majority of the nutrients and minerals required to keep your body healthy and strong. Doctors usually advise mums to include fresh vegetables and fruit each day in their diet. It’s important to vary your intake of fruit and vegetable groups so that you get all the essential vitamins and minerals. Always choose fresh over processed and frozen, to avoid large amounts of preservatives.

Meat

Iron deficiency during pregnancy is common and often results in cravings for red meat. Raw, rare or undercooked meat, or poultry, should be avoided because of the risk of contamination with bacteria like salmonella, or from toxoplasmosis – an infection caused by a parasite sometimes found in raw and cured meats. Cooking meat properly will kill germs and make it  safe to eat. Cooked meat, chicken or fish is an excellent source of protein, iron and other vitamins and minerals. But too much of anything is not good, other healthy iron options include lentils, beetroot, green leafy veg, fortified cereals, grains, and pasta, dried fruit, including apricots, prunes, raisins, and figs are but a few examples.

Drawer: Cupboard space is never quite enough when you have a little one. Clothing, blankets, shoes and accessories will fill up cupboards so it’s always a good idea to have a drawer that you can use to support everything you have.
How to make it unique: Buy a chest of drawers that is plain. Thrift stores are great places to purchase wooden drawers. Paint the drawers in your colour of choice or spray paint it to give it an authentic and stylish look.

Crib: The crib is where your baby will spend most of his time in the first year. Make it super comfortable by investing in a quality mattress, cover and bedding.
How to make it unique: Make it cool by adding special quotes around it. If you have a family totem, you can even get a crib especially crafted in the shape of the family totem or with it carved in front.

Wall art: Nothing makes a baby’s room look sweeter or more complete than accessories and wall art.
How to make it unique: Use foam letters to spell out your baby’s name on the wall or pick wall art according to a fairytale theme or a cartoon character.

Play pen: A traditional play pen would have some toys for your child to indulge in. These days it doesn’t have to be so simple, you can dedicate a whole room to a play pen or use one section of the room for this.
How to make it unique: Instead of having a simple play pen opt for a home based castle that can be assembled from scratch in your home. Your baby will have her very own palace that she can explore.

Baby swing: Newer swings not only move in a front-to-back motion, but also a side-to-side motion to mimic the motion of Mama’s tummy. There are several portable models for on-the-go parents, too.
How to make it unique: Sew in patches with messages for your little one from family members. This will make the swing not only a soothing place to fall asleep in for baby but a meaningful place of rest as well.

Checklist: Must have items for your nursery

Room thermometer:  Babies have a tough time regulating their own body temperatures. This comes in handy to check why your baby may be struggling to sleep or is fussy.

Bookshelf: Create a mini-library for your baby that can even be used for the rest of your children.The shelf can also be used to stack other items such as diapers or to keep the intercom.

Mattress and waterproof mattress cover: Take your pick, there are foam, waterproof, organic and hypoallergenic mattresses that are available according to your personal preferences.

Crib Sheet

Nursing Chair and Pillow: A nursing chair can be any chair that allows you to sit down and feed your baby comfortably. Ideally, this chair allows you to lean, rock, swivel, and put your feet up. 7. Diapers, Wipes, and Clothes

Diapers, wipes, toiletries, onesies, socks, and mittens: You can never have enough of these so stock up as soon as you can.

Throw a baby bash

Yes the baby is still baking and on the way but you can begin to celebrate them by hosting a party where their gender will be revealed. This is not similar to a baby shower because guests are not expected to bring gifts, instead everyone can participate in guessing the baby’s gender and having a great time while at it. Get on Pinterest, set the theme, have guests cast votes, play games, create a treasure hunt, set up teams and choose the perfect reveal moment.

Let the kids do the talking

The whole family can participate in the big revealing by dressing up in cartoon characters or colours which favour a particular sex. A photoshoot with the images posted on social media or on a private family group can then inform your loved ones on what to expect.

Paint it up

Express your inner artist by creating a mini masterpiece of your baby’s gender on paint. Go to your local hardware store with a sealed envelope and ask them to give you blue or pink paint in an unlabelled can. Open the can of paint to reveal your baby’s gender with your family and ask everyone to write a sweet message on canvas. You can keep this memento in the nursery or store it to show your child one day.

Let them know you’ve won the genetic jackpot

Share your thrilling news with adorable gender reveal scratch cards. Send out a batch to close friends and relatives or distribute them during an intimate dinner.

Other ways to reveal your baby’s gender:

1. We love how Tia Mowry revealed her baby’s gender on video. She baked a yummy cake, decorated it and filled it with edible accessories on the inside which spilt out when she cut the cake. You can watch this incredible reveal below.

https://youtu.be/BN7rNfOsBJo

2. A simple way of letting everyone in on what you are expecting is by gathering balloons and placing them in a box to be opened by your partner. You can add a twist to this by asking a close friend or family member to find out the gender first then bring the box to you and your partner to open.

Take a photo of baby shoes according to what you are having. Surprise everyone with the framed photo which can also stand in your baby’s nursery or in your home as a reminder of that beautiful moment.

1. To begin compiling the birth story, keep a diary specifically dedicated to the birth story and make notes of special moments. For example, start with the day your doctor told you when you would be due. Make a note of this and pencil in the date, together with an image of the sonogram.On the day you decide on the birth plan, make a note of that too and chronicle how that experience made you feel as you made a decision on how you would give birth to your child.If you have opted for a home birth, add that to the diary and detail why and how you plan to have the home birth. Additional details about how your partner is helping you to prepare and what you will have ready at the birth will also develop the birth story quite nicely.Write about what outfit you chose to wear during the birth experience and what music you listened to as well as what mood you aimed to create in the room as your baby was born will add a nice touch to the birth story.Welcoming your baby to the world is a precious moment and so details about what time you heard her first cry, who held her first, what she wore on her first day and when she started feeding will also give those privy reading your child’s birth story a strong sense of the day your child arrived in the world.Ways to chronicle your birth story
   • Compile the birth story in a journal containing all the hand written notes and images of the moments leading up to and including the birth
   • Keep a video diary
   • Record all the special moments in a voice journal which you can share with close family and friends or just keep in your family.

“Most women struggle with looking and still feeling sexy during the pregnancy because they worry about the public’s opinion and obviously their husband’s opinion. They still want to look sexy as a wife or a girlfriend. They want to feel comfortable in their own skin with functional maternity clothing because it is created to accommodate stretching skin and general discomfort that a pregnant woman experiences.

“Jessica Alba’s maternity style was one of the best I’ve seen. She was smart to wear trainers, she knows that high heels at that time are uncomfortable or maybe her feet are swollen and she always wants to keep herself balanced. Locally, Thembi Seete being a mature pregnant woman, which is what is happening these days thought more about feeling good in her own skin rather than what the public is going to say.

Thami says that moms-to-be should put their own health and that of their baby first.

“Women are living in a dual society where you have to please your man and yourself. No woman is going to be fine with looking frumpy and wearing oversized clothing, a woman still wants to try and look cute. Women who are getting it right are those that understand how to balance being comfortable with looking appealing and appropriate.”

Kholo Mamabolo, a Cape Town based supply chain logistics adviser who recently gave birth to her first child says most of the weight was carried in her belly. She wore jeggings, jumpsuits and maternity jeans with elastic bands around the waist, the most comfortable to wear.

“I bought a few maternity shirts which I wore to work and maternity jeans which are a must have for those shopping and chilling out days and also to accommodate the changing figure.

“Because pregnancy naturally brings about glowing skin, keep your style simple and comfortable to compliment your glow. I also found that the days I looked good I felt good, my confidence and productivity increased.”

We’ve rounded up a pick of the most stylish maternity items celebrities wore when they were pregnant so that you could also incorporate these into your closet

Actress Thembi Seete

For formal events, tutus and empire line dresses are great to tastefully emphasise your assets. We love how Thembi wore this flowing red dress to her unveiling as the face of a cosmetics brand.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bfx4yrCB3Pd/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=g4qr3v9xecjd

In the first and second trimester, you can get away with tailored suits which have detailing around the waist to cover your baby bump.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Be0WnRKheSi/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=xj3jjxylshhg

Actress Khabonina Qubeka

Maxi dresses are not only comfy but super stylish and fun to wear. Actress Khabonina paired hers with kitten heels.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmMVcnmFpro/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=lwjvdm5q1r78

For work, stretchy skirts like the one Khabonina is wearing coupled with a shirt oozes class and sass.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bk0LxuThtX0/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1rrh9xigfbkiv

TV presenter Luthando Sosha

Pyjama style paint suits in satin or cotton are a fun way to switch up your look, TV presenter Luthando Sosha wore hers with sneakers, making for a laid back look.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlC21tdlgJD/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=e9dktpc1frxk

For a more relaxed vibe, wear trainers with a tracksuit and a body suit. We love how comfy Luthando looks!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BolzcTClmAV/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1kef3qmeauyvk

Thando Msomi, a Johannesburg based talent management specialist, wife and mother to a two-year-old girl and a nine-year-old boy has her own blog and is known as The Modern Zulu Mom on Instagram.

She offers financial advice on how to prepare for motherhood, regularly posts tips on raising a toddler and a tween, food recipes and shares her favourite kiddies hangouts.

Special factor: Thando shares cool hangouts and venues, great for birthday party ideas or when you want to find a place to entertain the kids over the weekend.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bon4mROlmwS/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=xl6n2x9zl75m

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkuBtcAl3P4/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1gss4d1i4ms5m

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjHAa-xFoaE/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=14nqhopo0zuyt

Nkateko ‘Takkies’ Dinwiddy is mom to 9 month old Sana. Passionate about fitness and striking a work life balance, Takkies has made motherhood look like one big ball of fun times, a bit of drool and sexiness.

A fitness guru who runs her own weekly dance class in Sandton, Takkies is also a social media influencer who chronicles her motherhood journey.

Her page has loads of tips on how to keep your body in shape, you’ll find videos of her working out at home while her daughter watches and she’ll challenge you to get some abs and refine your squat regime while sharing how she balances motherhood and a burgeoning career.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BovkLIJhh7y/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1k39ppaw4dzvp

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlZxji-Fb3m/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=50w806rql232

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkPqP0SjtAz/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1eyb2r59qbze2

Special factor: Follow Takkies if you want to see how you can get your pre-baby body back, realistically and healthily.

For Olwethu Leshabane, juggling entrepreneurship, blogging and being an advocate for female sanitation while being a mom to three active boys is demanding of her time and energy but she manages to do it all with charm and chutzpah.

On Olwethu’s page, you’ll find a one stop shop on how to stay fabulous and how to exercise self-love while being a wife, mother and having an involved career.

Olwethu gives her followers advice on where to go to book the best mani and pedi, how to look your best and she shows you how to rock your post baby figure stylishly.

Special factor: We love how Olwethu’s style game is on another level. She showcases her interpretation of fashion in an effortlessly chic way.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmgUg3ug8iM/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1fzhu6vh61cdl

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmwD1wCADmJ/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1g4jnz8f4ungh

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bonvdz8H304/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1xvt557gslzeo

1. If you’re meant to have a baby, it will happen.
   Not only is this insensitive but it can come across as rude and inconsiderate of the couples’ efforts and plans regarding their family. Better to say nothing than be negative.
2. Are you sure you’re not pregnant already?
   When a couple falls pregnant is none of anyone’s business. Such comments are a complete no-go and show disregard for the feelings of others.
3. When was your last period?
   Unless you are the gynaecologist then this question is definitely off limits.
4. Maybe you’re tracking your ovulation
   Trying for a baby is a private matter and the finer details such as ovulation are also not up for discussion or public debate.
5. Don’t go to a doctor, try this tea instead!
   While your tea recommendations may be well meaning, the last thing a couple needs to hear is what they should be drinking to have a baby.
6. God doesn’t make mistakes. He’ll get you your baby when He is ready.
   Respect the religious positions or preferences of others and avoid making such statements as they may come across as self-righteous.
7. What sexual positionshave you tried?
   Like politics and religion, sex should be left off the table when discussing growing a family. It is a private issue and shouldn’t be regarded as a matter for public consumption.
8. Can you really afford a kid?
   Though this is a common question to ask, it isn’t a very comfortable or nice one. Every family knows their budget and of they are trying for a child, their financial situation surely allows them to do so.
9. You should just adopt instead.
   Adoption is a last resort for many couples and this decision is probably one they may have thought of themselves.
10. Just relax.
    Just don’t even consider saying this. Starting a family is serious business and for some couples, putting in the effort to do so may be their reality.

1. Neo Enzel Mcinga (29) from Pretoria East and Thabang Mabusela (33) of Irene are two moms who opted to wait until their pregnancies had progressed to the second trimester before sharing the news.Neo is a mom to three children all aged between 1 and 10 years. She shares her experience below.“My opinion is that it all depends on you as a person on how open you are to people. The first trimester is the most terrifying time as anything can happen that might cause a person to miscarry.“Stress, medical reasons, falling accidentally and the list goes on things that could cause a miscarriage. To get to the point, that would be one of the reasons why I did not share the news of a pregnancy in the first trimester.“Another reason is being ready for the attention because people change how they treat you once are carrying a baby – “they fuss” and 9 months is a long time to listen to people give lots of advice and opinions on how many kids you should have.“Lastly I had to be emotionally ready as sometimes God plants his precious seed before you thought you were ready so dealing with it is different from person to person and for me sharing the news was not a priority as I had to focus on being emotionally ready.”Thabang has two children, a toddler and a teenager. She shares her pregnancy experience with us.

   “When I found out I was pregnant, it was not expected or planned for so I had to process all the emotions that arose. My partner and I experienced a rollercoaster of emotions, from joy to panic all at once. On some days, during the first trimester we would stare in wonder at my growing belly and become emotional as we thought of the journey ahead of us.

   “The first person I told was my mother and sisters. They were all very excited but I swore them to secrecy and they agreed to wait until I was in my second trimester and ready to share. Part of the decision to wait until the three month mark had passed was because I feared losing my baby. I wouldn’t want to experience a loss with people asking questions and prying. Pregnancy for me is a very private experience and sometimes you just want to keep it to yourself and enjoy those sacred moments without having to report back to anyone.

   “My partner comes from a very traditional family. We were advised by his parents that according to their culture, we have to wait until the second trimester because sharing the pregnancy before then was not acceptable. It was also a matter of introducing the pregnancy to our ancestors first and asking for their blessing before we could start telling people.”

   “Personally I appreciated having three months to myself and dealing with my changing body, the morning sickness and weird cravings without explaining myself to anyone. I also just wanted to be treated normally and not have people check up on me all the time.”