Each week we'll spotlight a new category of product. Feel free to comment on threads like these throughout your time at the board, not just when they're in their week in the spotlight, if you discover something new OR are new to the board. This week it's.... Intangibles!
Some products can't be bought--and some experiences sh/could be that would be greatly helpful to a PG person/new mom. Here are some helpful prompts to get us started!
ALL
- Products aren't everything! What sort of services or help or non-buyable actions are on your wishlist for this pregnancy/post-partum time?
- Are there any intangible things that people have offered you thus far or what you have indulged in/purchased already that you'd recommend?
STM/+s
- What sort of services or help or non-buyable actions were most helpful to you for previous pregnancies/PP?
- Were there any that you wished you had been able to receive but didn't?
FTMs
- What sort of services or help or non-buyable actions have been offered or purchased for you for your pregnancy/PP, if any?
- What are any that you are thinking of indulging in or registering for or purchasing?
To view the upcoming PSS schedule, see here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1j7iBv8rbDsTBMXAK7R3NWhG-619XNbpdNza2uci0iYs/edit#gid=0!
Next up: Baby Containers
Re: Product Spotlight - Intangibles
Also take up family members or friends up on their offer to clean for you! Most second time moms who visit will at least offer to straighten up - and it’s not a judgement on you! But ask for help and let people help with anything and everything around the house. Again, you can always pay for a cleaning service but if that’s not in the budget, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Meal kits and Cleaning services are in no way a part of my budget, but if you can find free ways to get the help you need, take advantage!
DH is gifting us a spa day next month because baby comes shortly before our first wedding anniversary and we likely will just spend it with baby. I'm getting a prenatal massage as part of it and I cannot wait!
We also would love to use a frozen healthy meal service for maybe a week or two when baby first arrives, though DH's mama I know plans on helping with meals in those first few days at least.
Not a purchased service, but I have three close friends who have all said they intend to come hold/walk/distract baby for me so I can have a shower, nap or get a coffee on my own when DH goes back to work. This is one of the best things that I plan to take them up on because family history suggests I may be at higher risk for postpartum depression. Any help with little things to maintain my sense of self and reduce isolation is a big gift in my mind.
Let friends/family come and hold baby while you shower/eat/nap.
Enjoy your time in the hospital. It is nice to have nurses there to help and ask questions. It can be a little intimidating bringing baby home and realizing you're on your own now.
As a STM, I'm hoping for friends/family to come and keep DS entertained, so I can focus on baby on my own a little.
My best friends moms both brought food last time so if they offer I will not be stubborn and take them up on it. My best friends mom came last time and deep cleaned my kitchen bc I kept telling her I didn't need help and she should just relax with the baby- but she knew better. So anyone who offers anything, I will take.
Last time, we brought DD home on a Sat and DH started a new job on Monday so it was straight into the solo fire after a c-section and it was the hardest thing ever, so DH will be 100% home a full week after we come home. That alone is a freaking gift compared to last time! Plus we have a yard so I don't have to try and walk the dog with a newborn, 5 days after a c-section.
But I am expecting we will be fairly solo, so freezer meals, all laundry done, fridge and freezer organized and prepped, fresh bedding for everyone, and I will splurge and get my nails done and a pre-natal massage.
1 infant loss
8/17: Our daughter was born
8/18: Our daughter kicked open heart surgery ass
2/19: We lost our son to Prader-Willi/Paradoxical Vocal Cord/ Noonans at 6wks old
4/26/2020: EDD for baby #3!!!
Natural BFP Feb 2017. DD born Oct. 2017
Natural BFP Aug. 2019, EDD April 2020