We asked you, our wise goodtoknowers, for the best piece of advice you could give Kate before she has her royal baby. Here's what you said...
Your birth and motherhood advice and tips to mum-to-be Kate Middleton
It's not long now before Kate Middleton becomes a mum - the rumour mill puts her due date at July 13! She must be feeling a bit nervous now about many things - the birth and what it'll be like to be a mum. Perhaps she's thinking about breathing techniques, hypnobirthing, pain relief and worrying about breastfeeding and sleepless nights.
She's probably had lots of chats about motherhood with her mum, Carole, who, as a mum of three, will have lots of advice to give her.
Mums really do know best and that's why we asked our goodtoknow family for their best tips on birth and beyond to give to Kate. Some are practical, some are funny and, beware, some are not for the faint-hearted, but they're all great tips from mums to a mum-to-be.
If you can think of any more, add them into the comments box below.
Good luck, Kate!
Do what your gut tells you
Goodtoknow user Georgette Turner: Listen politely to everyone's advice, but ultimately do what your gut tells you!
Don't sneeze!
Goodtoknow user Sammy Louise McCarthy: Don't cough or sneeze after giving birth ever... And make sure to empty your bowels before baby is born as you won't wanna do it for a month after lol.
Take your scan picture with you
Goodtoknow user Becky Lyons: Work on breathing techniques (they do work) and take your scan pictures as inspiration to focus on what the labour process is for, your little baby.
Watch your knickers!
Goodtoknow user Patricia Hilton: Don't catch your knickers on your C-section stitches. Can't see you pushing, Kate, sorry. And can imagine there's a law that forbids it. Lol x
Think of England
Goodtoknow user Denyse Walker: Lie back and think of England!!
Buy some Arnica
Goodtoknow user Wendy Tanner: Buy some arnica cream for the bruising.
Remember everyone's advice is different
Goodtoknow user Joanne Evans: Don't listen to anyone's advice. Every pregnancy, labour and baby is completely different.
Ask for pain relief
Goodtoknow users Teresa Isaacs: Listen to your body, do as it tells you and don't be afraid to ask for pain relief if needed!
Do your exercises!
Goodtoknow user Emily C Matthews: Keep doing your pelvic floor exercises! Haha!
Don't feel a failure
Goodtoknow user Shirley Maldini: Listen to your body and don't feel a failure if you ask for pain relief, that's what it's there for.
Breathe
Goodtoknow user Jane Dale-beaumont: Breathe
Enjoy every second
Goodtoknow user Lesley 'Lelly' Garwood: Enjoy every second. Because they soon grow up. And always listen to your child. No matter what they are talking about. Prove to them that they can come and talk to you about ANYTHING. Xx
Feel where the baby is
Goodtoknow user Victoria Jones: If they offer drugs take them lol! My natural birth was the best, it was a very funny feeling. My 1st birth was not funny 42 hours b4 I have the drugs, she pushed down on my bum!!!! That hurt!!!! Tell Kate if the baby's not pushing down on your bum go drug free!!!!!!!
It's normal!
Goodtoknow user Hazel Lewis: It's normal to feel how you feel.
Teach him a lesson
Goodtoknow user Diane Jameson: Make sure hubby knows how to change nappies!!!! Good luck.
Build up a store of memories
Goodtoknow user Nola Lewis: Spend as much time with your baby as you can. Build up a store of good memories and don't be afraid to show how much love you have for her/him xx
Trust your instinct
Goodtoknow user Rachel Chocoholic Fedden: Go with your instinct. A baby isn't a book and mummy knows best xx
Enjoy
Goodtoknow user Marion Peach: Enjoy...
They're your baby
Goodtoknow user Lydia Munchkins Mummy Appleyard: They are your baby no one else's. Don't let anyone take over for you. Xx
Listen and remember
Goodtoknow user Su Gladstone: To LISTEN and remember, what may seem trivial to you is probably a major event to them. Just LISTEN to what they say right from the very moment they start jabbering unintelligible nonsense.
Try not to lose the plot!
Goodtoknow user Sophie Gunn: Try not to lose the plot in the middle of the night when you're up for the umpteenth time. Oh wait!! She won't do any of it herself anyway...
No to wet nurses!
Goodtoknow user Jackie Shanley: No to wet nurses. No, wait, that was back in the dark ages.
Get as much sleep as you can
Goodtoknow user Victoria Turner: Get as much sleep as you can before the birth. And have skin to skin straight away.
Go for a walk!
Just be yourself
Goodtoknow user Dee Hannay: Just be yourself. Good luck! x
Where to next?
- What type of mum will you be?
