You will never forget the day that you got to bring your baby home from the maternity hospital. It is such a monumental experience. You enter the hospital with a baby bump and leave with a baby. That car seat that you have been looking at for months is now cradling your precious newborn and it is surreal on so many levels. 

• In the weeks leading up to the birth both parents should familiarise themselves with the car seat and how it works. It may require altering it, adding certain attachments and trial running taking it in and out of the car. The last thing you need to be worrying about is the car seat functioning correctly. At the same time it is going to be transporting your baby so it is essential that it is installed and working correctly to ensure that your baby is safe.
• When choosing your “going home” outfits make sure that they are weather appropriate. It is easy to be seduced by the beautiful patterns and styles available but the most important thing is that your baby is comfortable and at a safe temperature. Consider the time of year and plan an outfit that will work well with it. In terms of your own outfit comfort really is key. The general advice is to pack an outfit that would have fit you when you were about six month’s pregnant. Stretchy dark coloured leggings are a popular choice for many mums. If you are planning to breastfeed consider packing a comfortable nursing bra that will accommodate your post partum breasts which may be significantly larger than your pregnant breasts.
• Be assertive when it comes to visitors. People will want to visit you immediately when they know the baby has arrived home from the hospital. Do not be afraid to politely decline offers of visits until you have settled in and feel comfortable with people stopping by. This is such a precious time for your new family and the most important thing is that you do not feel completely overwhelmed by these “extra” worries.
• Do not feel guilty if the idea of going home does not fill you with joy. There are a number of reasons why this may be the case and you are not alone in feeling this way. Having access to twenty four hour care and support from the midwives and hospital staff is very difficult to leave. It is also nice to be handed all of your meals and live in a bubble that is focused simply on caring for you and your new baby. You may feel overwhelmed about getting home to household chores and the responsibility of more than one child. You are completely normal and so many mothers feel this way.
• Making your home “newborn” friendly is quite easy to do but it does involve a bit of thought before you give birth. Stock up on non bio detergent, snacks and changing supplies. Talk to your other children about how important hand washing is as well as not lifting or touching the baby unless it is supervised by you. Assemble the travel system and have it ready for use. Home hygiene is going to be more important now than ever so get the ball rolling and develop new routines and rituals during your third trimester. By the time the baby comes home everyone will have adapted.