Why does everyone only ever tell the horror stories There are lots of beautiful inspirational women on BB with brilliant birth stories, I know every birth is different but try not to be freaked out by the horror stories hun! FWIW, I had a natural vaginal birth with my DS and LOVED it! Really, I would do it 100 times over but not have 100 babies if that makes sense hahaha - The most amazing, empowering thing I have ever done and omg I can not wait to give birth again! I had a very nasty graze inside and out to my labia from DS being born with his fist clenched on his face, it took 7 weeks to heal and for 3 of those weeks Ural was my Best Friend!! I used to have to pee leaning right forward holding toilet paper in my cupped hand putting pressure on my hoo haa and even then there was much wincing - THAT was worse than birth but bearable and I'd still do it all over again! Oh and Lucas Paw Paw Ointment helped too!!

My baby necessities in the early days were my Baby Hammock, DS slept soooo well from day dot in there! Lansinoh of course, soft cloth breast pads, a great breastfeeding pillow, lots of wraps & facewashers and I loved my big fat Libra Maternity Pads, even when my bleeding slowed, while I was still healing that graze, they made it oh so soft and comfy to sit!! Prob other things but nothing else is really jumping out at me, just the basics for the beginning really!

Oh and Lavender Oil for the Birthing Suite! It was like a relaxation spa in our room! We were ALL soooo chillaxed! Also I believe what helped me extensively in labour was my TENS machine, I had horrendous back labour and that thing killed it!

You're going to be amazing babe! Your body knows exactly what it is doing, it was made for this! As you know already being a Mama, all baby REALLY needs to begin with is YOU!

Google freezer meals as well hun, there are so many delicious meals than can be frozen and there are websites dedicated to it

Good luck!!