MIDWIFE NIKKI SAYS:It's common to worry about how you're going to cope with pain during labour. There are various forms of pain relief available, but an epidural is one that needs to be given by an anaesthetist in hospital. There are certain criteria that need to be met, the main...

Most important things: a copy of your birthplan (give this to the midwife as soon as you arrive), and an old large T-shirt, shirt or nightdress to give birth in. A front-buttoning one will enable you to breastfeed and have skin-to-skin contact more

of four cups daily. 13 STOCK UP ON MUSLINS: You cannot have too many of these. Start with at least 10. 14 WASH BABY CLOTHES: New babies have sensitive skin so make sure all newborn clothes, bed linen, towels and muslins are washed in non-bio detergent. 15