I liked "The Baby Book" by Dr. Sears.  And I even read my mom's old Dr. Spock books for fun.  I didn't like WTEWYE.  I liked "How to Listen..." but found it uninteresting to me until my kids were older. Or irrelevant I guess.    La Leche League's "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" was by my side a lot, despite the dumb title, and Mothering magazine, I couldn't get enough of that magazine (they have a website too).

I'm one of those opinionated naturalistic sort of friends. ;)

WAY before I even got or thought I could get pregnant I was really into TLC's Baby Story show. I also picked up Jenny McCarthy's Belly Laughs I loved that book. 

I got all the "What to Expect", "The Baby Book" (Sears), etc.. I liked reading as much as I could about my pregnancy and then following along (especially the first year) about development.  BUT.. I quickly realized there's so much variation in kids (who knew? lol) that sometimes it just drove me crazy trying to think about whether or not my kid was developmentally on track or not.  I liked the weekly updates via email from babycenter and parenting.com.. but really just for fun. I found the most realistic commiseration and guidance using message boards for my 'birth club' (month/year).

The things that helped me the most before my first baby, were getting things that I would never have thought off from my friends and family.

Such as:  Tylenol and or Advil, cause its a newborn,..its not gonna be sick right? True, but that first time is NOT the time you want to be going out to get some.

A nose suctions thing- Things a life saver when your kid is all gunked up.

A few homemade frozen meals... so nice for those nights you just find time has slipped away.

 

But if you are looking for books to read.. The Baby Whisperer by Tracy Hogg. OMG best book ever.  That one helped me the most.

@CanadianMama I really couldn't agree more!

I used google, and that was it lol

1.  Don't forget to wash the baby's clothes well before your due date and make sure to get one or two in premie and a couple for 3 months.  The Doctor is never right about the size.  I was told mine would be well over 8 lbs by two separate doctors, he was just at 6 and had to wear premies for a couple of weeks.

2.  Have someone nearby to restrain you from killing the child's father.  This is for you, not for him, you really do not want to go to jail immediately after birth.  I was tied down as I had an emergency C-Section, only think that saved that sucka's life.

3.  Have a boy and a girl name picked out and a few backups.  Again, the Doctor is sometimes wrong, or you might not think they are an Abigail or Samuel.

Nothing can prepare you for the overwhelming love you will have for your nugget.  You may think you are in love now, just wait.

Other than that, just relax and enjoy this time.

I didn't get "the womanly art of breast feeding" until dd was a few months old. wish I had it sooner! get super sexy granny panties and some pads. I used the always infinity. not a lot of bulk and absorbed well. I hated the 5 week blood and gore feast after dd was born. get some tucks/witch hazel for your lady garden too and some stool softener. you don't want your bits to be even more angered and mangled then what they already are. and if you can swing it I'd suggest a really great SO who will cater to you for the next 6 weeks. (mine was severely lacking in the empathy)

Haha pads, granny panties.  BOTH times, six years apart, someone had to go out and buy me underwear and bring it to the hospital cuz I am not an undies sort of person (TMI, sorry) and had nothing to attach a pad to!

@bombkitty   I heard all about that article but didn't actually read it myself.  I did hear an NPR interview with Dr.  the other day but they felt the need to have another pedi on the air to  "debate" him  on co-sleeping and it was just stupid, they were trying so hard to find controversy and it was sad!

I never lectured or judged anyone for how they chose to parent but MAN did I ever get shit for not circumcising, for co-sleeping, extended breastfeeding, using the sling, delaying solids, etc.  Constant shit stream from everyone and anyone.  Pffft.

Music for labor:  true story, my son was finally born to the Doors' "Break on Through" and Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire"!  After way way too long pushing. lol.  Hilarious, in retrospect.

@CharlotteSometimes I will to remember the underwear thing as well. >.>     <.<   lol though I have found that I have less you know discharge and no yeast infections, which I attribute to not wearing them :D 

I am lucky and unlucky that my family lives so far away. I don't think I will have to defend too much for the first year or so. I just have to get DBF on the same thought train about rearing kids, which would help if mr. perfect would read the books I am reading.  8-| But our parents both come from a generation taught to fear parenting. I have less worries about his parents than I do mine. His mom is at least on the upgrade train to learning about homeopathy and natural care which is awesome, sadly she's furthest away. 

@Zidasha awe, but it sounds so funny! lol! I'm not really worried about child birth. Well yet anyway. I feel like I know what to expect, crying, yelling at staff, trying not to kill DBF for his part, some pain, pooping, I heard something about a catheter? And of course my little miracle!! Will make it all worth it! :D

"The Girlfriend's Guide To Pregnancy" was a great book.  Lots of great, funny advice.

Talk to your friends that are moms - they're better than any book.

Seriously think about asking for a mirror if you want to see your baby born.  I wish I'd done it for DD but didn't think of it.  I did it for DS & it was so awesome.  You don't even notice yourself you just see them.  At least I did when the damn doctor wasn't in my way.

many_moons_ago said:

Sprinkle some dots of water on the said^^ granny pads and put them in the freezer or just stick them in the freezer without water either way the cold feels so good on your swollen and bruised lady bits

Holy Shit !  Seriously, you're a genius!   ^:)^

I read What to expect.....

I am a worrier and I was scared SHITLESS about the actual birth process.

About 6 months in, someone Finally just said to me "It's 24 hours out of your life, in the grand scheme of things you can do almost anything for 24 hours AND you get a gift at the end."

And that was all it took.  I didn't think about it anymore and when it started I just keep telling my self 24 hours, 24 hours...It took about 13 WITHOUT pain meds not because I was trying to be all natural but because I asked for them too late. BUT I DID IT!!  Twice!

The best advice I can give is surround yourself with the help of people you trust and enjoy!!! When the baby comes, you will need all the help you can get (groceries or laundry anyone?). But don't waste your precious energy and time on leaches (those people that take and don't give, or suck your energy), you don't have time for them. And really, they don't matter. :D

My DOULA! My doula was amazing... she was my only friend in a very emotional pregnancy.  She gave me all kinds of reading materials, and was supportive, and never made me feel like a weirdo if I had questions about ANYTHING! I signed up for her at the health department.  If you can get one, I would say do it!  

I wanted to breastfeed, so having a few numbers for LaLeche league/nursing consultants handy would have been helpful. Looking those up when I had a problem, not fun. Also, I started without nipple shields, used nipple shields for a few weeks, and then didn't need them any more. 

I thought WTEWYE (or as my OB called it, the Hypochondriac's Guide to Pregnancy") to be useless and fear-mongering.

Someone to make meals and clean-up for majority of the meals for the first 1-2 weeks. Especiallly if you are post-c-section. My mom is a fabulous cook and my MIL did the dishes.

 I loved wtewye, it was helpful. I also love(d) babycenter.com. Your baby is the size of a radish and has fingernails now, and the beginnings of earlobes ( totally pAraphrasing).
But I was, and am,addicted.
Back to your oq, though.
I am so glad I had my boo's space all set up, had her crib, had her clothes and toys, and we had our family and friends ready. So we had food and quiet time.
Also make sure you have tons of spraynwash. That shit is worth it's weight In gold, unless you have actual gold.