#1 - Changing stations
I bought two of these toy caddys: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001R53P9K/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00 and filled them with wipes, nappies, breast pads (you'll need these whether you're breastfeeding or not), nappy bags, a couple of muslins and a spare babygro. One of these and a changing mat (buy two!) live in our room and the living room and means that we have everything in one place for changing/feeding. They need refilling every few days max but that's better than running round the house every time. Also, whilst not practical for taking out to the shops or similar it's ideal to grab if you're popping round to your mum's or something so you can avoid lugging your changing bag everywhere with you.
#2 - Maternity pads
I wasn't sure if I'd need loads of maternity pads or if night time sanitary towels would do. The midwives recommend you use specific maternity pads due to certain chemicals in normal sanitary towels, and the surface of maternity pads seems slightly different too. TMI but the blood doesn't soak into maternity pads in the same way so it's easier to monitor bleeding. Also - and this is the main point for me and something I didn't know - maternity pads aren't so thick for absorbency purposes (you're changing them too often to fill them anyway) - it's because they cushion your bits!! This is essential. I don't think I'd have been able to sit down in the first few days without the added padding. My bleeding has about stopped now and I got through 6 packs of 10 maternity pads since I've been home. The hospital supplied them whilst I was there.
#3 - Steriliser
If you're planning on breastfeeding and aren't sure whether to get a steriliser 'just in case', buy a couple of packs of Milton sterlising tablets or similar. You can then just fill up a clean tupperware pot or ice cream tub, anything with a lid, and use that as a steriliser if you find yourself in a pinch. They're only about £3 for a massive packet and it could really save a lot of stress should you find yourself desperately needing to cup, bottle or syringe feed, or sterilise a container for breast milk, or nipple shields, etc etc. They take 15mins to sterilise and everything stays sterile for 24 hours after which you have to change the water and put a new tablet in. These were a lifesaver in what was already an insanely stressful situation and we've still just got all our bits and bobs sterilising in a lunch box. You don't necessarily need fancy stuff.
#4 - Muslins
I really wasn't sure about this one, I read lots of people saying how essential they were but they seemed quite expensive for what are essentially just rags. But honestly, they are a vital purchase and I've since bought more. You can use them as a thin blanket/sheet, to mop up spills and sick, to quickly dump on top of a baby boy when he starts peeing everywhere mid-nappy change... we also put them on the changing mat before changing him as the plastic can be cold but those of you having summer babies or in warmer climes may not have this problem. I bought these ones: https://www.amazon.co.uk/CREAM-COTT...TF8&colid=3S0DDYAFSFNFR&coliid=I1AFIHO3NBSPZ8
#5 - Make lots of noise when they're asleep
This may seem to massively go against the grain but DON'T be tempted to tiptoe around the house when they're asleep. They'll get used to it and then will wake up unless it's totally silent. Felix will sleep through anything and I've seen my mum be literally afraid to cough when he's asleep in the same room. I wonder if this is why I was such a terrible sleeper when I was a baby? The same goes for getting the room pitch black etc. There's nothing wrong with blackout curtains but try and make sure they sleep in a light room too otherwise you're setting yourselves up for a difficult sleeper. I know some babies are likely to be sounder sleepers than others naturally but I really think this helps.
#6 - Take flavourful snacks to the hospital
Slightly less important but hospital food is so bland so take something with lots of flavour to keep you going. OH brought me a coronation chicken sandwich on day 4 and it was the best thing I've ever eaten. Four days of bland food, only water to drink and no fresh air or natural light had left me feeling very weird and daft as it sounds this really helped.
#7 - Drink loads, pee fast
The temptation when peeing is so sore is to try and avoid it but don't be tempted to do this. It's also hard not to tense up whilst peeing but this just prolongs it. Drink plenty to dilute your wee and when you go, grit your teeth and just go for it. It hurts for much less time than letting it dribble out for ages because you keep tensing
Also wiggle around, change positions, you will find one that misses some/most/all of your stitches if you're lucky. (Drinking lots of water will also help any swelling/water retention you have go down quicker. I still can't fit my wedding ring on but it's gone down loads. Oh and on a related note expect any swelling in your hands/feet to get worse before it gets better - totally normal)
#8 - Do your research
Look into things that you don't think you'll need just in case. For example I didn't look into bottles or breast pumps at all and then had to buy one on my phone from my hospital bed. I wish I'd at least looked into it and had an idea which one I would buy should I need one. Looking into it would only have taken half an hour whilst I was sat twiddling my thumbs in the last few weeks of pregnancy and would have saved a lot of stress.
#9 - Sleep!
In the first few days, forget everything else, just feed and sleep. If you're bottle feeding, get OH to do the night feeds. If you're breast feeding, literally just do that then go back to sleep. OH can take care of changing etc. In those early days sleep makes so much difference to your healing. I tried to do it all for the first few days and eventually gave in and let OH give EBM in a bottle overnight on night 4 (night 4 at home that is) and I swear I basically healed overnight having made little progress up until then. The midwife even commented on it when I saw her the following day.
#10 - Epsom salts and lavender oil
Put these in your bath, they really help with the healing process, prevent scars forming and soothe swollen bits and bobs. You don't need anything fancy (in fact you should avoid it whilst you're still healing), you can just buy them plain on ebay or Amazon and they'll only set you back a few quid.
#11 - You can never take enough photos
Before, during and after birth, no matter how crap you feel, no matter how unflattering they are. You can always look and delete or never look at them again but if you don't take them you never have them. I have a photo of Felix crowning and it's gross and no one will ever see it but I'm so glad I have it. I pushed him out and I don't see why OH should have seen everything and I got to see nothing
And finally, Jo's absolute top tip for childbirth
#12 - Moist toilet tissue
I cannot emphasise this enough! If I'd rocked up at hospital with nothing but my Andrex moist towelettes I would have managed just fine. They are amazing and (TMI) really help you feel clean when you're bleeding like mad and have piles the size of a small town. They also help you freshen up a bit before midwives come round wanting to check your bits and bobs. This is my absolute number one tip, PLEASE put some of these in your hospital bag!
Good luck with your testing! What does that involve if you don't mind me asking?
How exciting that you're half way! Well more likely more than half way with a twin pregnancy - eeek!
for me, Trying, Snuffles, CC, Cake/Rachel, and anyone else who is still TTC, who I've forgotten. 
