I also picked up nursing bras from Target because I had quite a bit of change in size after milk came in and continued nursing so until I was at a consistent size I stayed with Target and then eventually bought a few others that were a bit more spendy. The ones from Target were always under $20 but I'd often find them on a deal too if I watched ads or online.
Found this on amazon. It's on my registry, but if it's not gifted, I WILL buy this. The perineal bottle I got from the hospital last time was a pain to use. This looks so much better. Fridababy Fridet, The MomWasher https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VO65XB0/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_a1lQxb1J98R8K
@Schell2013 I wish I could remember as well as you! I'm probably in for a surprise! I remember being able to wear thin pads when I got home. But I also didn't have a toddler to take care of too!
The squirt bottle! That thing is amazing!!!! I'm not a pad girl and it's so nice to be able to clean yourself every time you go to the bathroom!
I second the squirt bottle. I pretty sure I kept using it even after I really didn't need to because the warm water was so soothing!
A secret someone told me when I was pregnant with DD: get some liquid cholorphyll and drink it every day, starting ASAP. It helps with iron and vitamin k, but it also helps with post partum bleeding. I don't remember bleeding terribly bad, maybe for the first 3-4 days and then it was pretty light for the next 3 weeks. It can help with anemia after birth too.
I need to get on all these things! I am confident on what I need but I'm lazy about shopping or it .. I will probably shop around October so I can get candy for my hospital bag
@NoraAurora I will have to try the coconut oil on my nips after breastfeeding... the nipple soreness is always why I've given up ! Thanks for the tip.
@mrszoess definitely need overnight with wings extra long .. just big ones to soak up for the first 1 or 2 weeks and your bleeding might let up. With every pregnancy I've bled differently., and as a FTM don't forget you might tear or have an episiotomy so the recovery of your lady bits will be a little different.
A secret someone told me when I was pregnant with DD: get some liquid cholorphyll and drink it every day, starting ASAP. It helps with iron and vitamin k, but it also helps with post partum bleeding. I don't remember bleeding terribly bad, maybe for the first 3-4 days and then it was pretty light for the next 3 weeks. It can help with anemia after birth too.
What do you think about this. It seems like it would be soothing, but would it make things more messy? Like would it make it more likely to get blood anywhere but on the pad. I'm also thinking about just getting depends.
TTC #1 since August 2015 BFP #1 January 28, 2016
EDD October 3, 2016 Felicity Joy, born September 2, 2016 My Chart
TTC #2 Since August 2020 BFP #2 September 11, 2020 EDD May 23, 2021
I have been checking back into this thread because even a stm should be aware in case things are different. But I think they are going to be much different for me!! I keep thinking I have no idea what you are talking about because I wore a light pad for maybe a week? And only as insurance. It really made me wonder why, but after commenting on the FB group about my retained placenta, I think I didn't bleed at all because I had to have a D&C an hour after delivering.....
I still had a second degree tear so the witch hazel and all that is completely familiar, but now I'm kind of worried about the other stuff!
Good point about above! I didn't continue taking my iron and prenatals long after birth. Nursing can continue to drain your iron stores. I was low in iron for a while after birth. A good idea to keep an eye on it if it's a problem for you, like it is me and I plan to continue my prenatal regime during nursing!
I'm trying to remember what things I used most often after coming home. I know the first couple of days I used the large maxi pads the hospital sent home (like overnights with wings but thick), witch hazel pads, and I remember a cream they sent home but for the life of me can't recall what the name of it was - my guess is it was for the stitches/healing. After the first days I used regular maxi pads until it lighted up even more.
I ditto what previous posts said about the squirt bottle, major life saver.
The main things I remember buying for post partum was Colace since that was one thing the hospital didn't send me home with. But I also remember going from the hospital to the grocery store to pick up a Prescription pain med.
A few people have mentioned this, but I just want to highlight it- stool softener. If you are taking pain meds after birth, you MUST take stool softener. Trust. Me.
I'm loving all these links. I used the squirt bottle the hospital gave me last time, but it was crap, so I'd like to buy myself one. Also, I used nursing tanks more than anything because then my tummy was covered when I nursed.
A few people have mentioned this, but I just want to highlight it- stool softener. If you are taking pain meds after birth, you MUST take stool softener. Trust. Me.
My friend told me to start taking it a couple days before you actually give birth. Good advice? Anyone done that vs. not taking any? Obviously this would not work if you're surprised by an early delivery...
Me:33 DH: 34 Married: May 2011 TTC #1: May 2015 DS: 10/20/2016 TTC #2: June 2019 #2 EDD: 2/20/2020
I'm a FTM and have nothing to contribute, so I've just been lurking this thread. But holy cow, I'm so intimated by all this stuff guys. Can I just fast forward through all this???
@ibabyloveb87 I have no idea if it would be more or less helpful to take it before giving birth, but I can speak to what it's like when you don't take enough after giving birth.
I'm a FTM and have nothing to contribute, so I've just been lurking this thread. But holy cow, I'm so intimated by all this stuff guys. Can I just fast forward through all this???
+1. I'm guessing my plan of ignoring it til it goes away is not going to work in this case?
I'm a FTM and have nothing to contribute, so I've just been lurking this thread. But holy cow, I'm so intimated by all this stuff guys. Can I just fast forward through all this???
+1. I'm guessing my plan of ignoring it til it goes away is not going to work in this case?
Lol. No, it's not working for me. I'm making a trip to the store tomorrow instead.
I know all the hospitals around us give you stool softeners immediately following the birth and more after that. And they don't let you leave the hospital until you poop. Maybe ask your OB about that? It's kind of a weird policy lol.
Same with around me- they automatically gave me stool softeners every few hours. This is totes tmi but I had finally felt the urge to go to the bathroom the day we were checking out and, of course, as soon as I start going a pedetrician comes in to discuss what was happening because my dd had jaundice (so she was explaining the wallaby and testing bilirubin etc), but rather then coming back when I was out, she stayed in the room and talked to my dh about it. 1. Don't you think that it's important for ME (the mom going to be home with her) to hear the info and 2. It was super awkward having this chick basically right outside the bathroom as I tried to go for the first time in days...
ibabyloveb87 I'd be hesitant to start taking them before just because I think it might make it more likely to poop during labor.
this... #2 thing that worries me about labor. #1 is tearing. No flaming please... I realize there are much more serious things to worry about. These feel realistic to me and I choose to live in la la land about the more serious stuff lol
@Allison.smith.6212 and @bnsmith85 Pooping during labor is the least of my concerns. I actually am not worried about it at all. My L&D friend has reassured every one of our pregnant friends that it's not a big deal and it just gets cleaned up like everything else coming out.
Maybe this should be my UO?!
Me:33 DH: 34 Married: May 2011 TTC #1: May 2015 DS: 10/20/2016 TTC #2: June 2019 #2 EDD: 2/20/2020
serenaxo84 I had a c-section with DD and I swear doc did an amazing job cleaning everything out. I don't remember bleeding at all (although I'm sure there was some? It was 7 years ago lol). If I go VBAC this time (which is my intention) I'm all for getting Depends if bleeding is heavy. It just seems like it would be so much easier and give me more peace of mind about leaks.
I feel so much like FTM about this, even though I'm a STM, because of the c-section the first time, so my recovery feels vastly different. I had no pain or recovery for my lady bits, no extensive bleeding, none of that... So I'm loving this list ladies! Keep the great ideas coming
Countdown to Baby H! Mommy to Elizabeth (6/18/09), preemie at 34 weeks
I've already started taking stool softener. Not concerned about pooping during labor this time around and would much rather have it in my system and be a little more "comfortable" pooping postpartum than adding being super constipated to the slew of other bodily issues on the list.
About pooping during labor...honestly I was relieved when it happened, since I had been feeling that need to push and somewhat constipated. Sorry if that's tmi, just tellin it like it is!
I pooped during labor with my first also so I more so expect it to happen this time around. I was just thinking it might be more likely to happen if you've taken a stool softener before hand.
I would not wear depends... that just sounds like an awful mess to clean up, a blood filled adult diaper? Eek
@Sprinkels28 I'm buying a waist trainer immediately PP. My stomach muscles are sooo weak from being pregnant back to back I will probably need the extra help.
I ended up in a section last time so I never used any of the stuff I had around. I need to bookmark this so I can remember what to have on hand.
IDK if this was mentioned but I got a belly binder from the hospital last time (not one that is sued to get your back in shape or anything), it was like a giant ace-bandage that squished everything in and it was nice. I used it for the first few days in the car and when moving around because everything felt empty and like it was falling out. I need to dig that out again.
Take all of the stool softeners they offer you, request prune juice often, and don't stop. Just go in and sit on the toilet and relax (bring a book, your phone, etc) because you may be there a while, especially if you are on pain medications. I think I finally pooped on day 4 and it was such a relief.
Overnight pads are a must, but I've had people suggest that going to an asian market or amazon and buying Japanese pads are even better. I have no experience in this, just what I've heard.
Re: Postpartum supply list
I also picked up nursing bras from Target because I had quite a bit of change in size after milk came in and continued nursing so until I was at a consistent size I stayed with Target and then eventually bought a few others that were a bit more spendy. The ones from Target were always under $20 but I'd often find them on a deal too if I watched ads or online.
get some liquid cholorphyll and drink it every day, starting ASAP. It helps with iron and vitamin k, but it also helps with post partum bleeding. I don't remember bleeding terribly bad, maybe for the first 3-4 days and then it was pretty light for the next 3 weeks. It can help with anemia after birth too.
Fell in love: Dec 2005 // Married: Feb 9, 2013
Little Miss Rosalie Harper--Born Jan 9th, 2014
@NoraAurora I will have to try the coconut oil on my nips after breastfeeding... the nipple soreness is always why I've given up ! Thanks for the tip.
@mrszoess definitely need overnight with wings extra long .. just big ones to soak up for the first 1 or 2 weeks and your bleeding might let up. With every pregnancy I've bled differently., and as a FTM don't forget you might tear or have an episiotomy so the recovery of your lady bits will be a little different.
What do you think about this. It seems like it would be soothing, but would it make things more messy? Like would it make it more likely to get blood anywhere but on the pad. I'm also thinking about just getting depends.
BFP #1 January 28, 2016
Felicity Joy, born September 2, 2016
My Chart
BFP #2 September 11, 2020
EDD May 23, 2021
I still had a second degree tear so the witch hazel and all that is completely familiar, but now I'm kind of worried about the other stuff!
Fell in love: Dec 2005 // Married: Feb 9, 2013
Little Miss Rosalie Harper--Born Jan 9th, 2014
I ditto what previous posts said about the squirt bottle, major life saver.
The main things I remember buying for post partum was Colace since that was one thing the hospital didn't send me home with. But I also remember going from the hospital to the grocery store to pick up a Prescription pain med.
Has anyone used this or heard any good on it? I thought about getting it for my repeat csection.
DH: 34
Married: May 2011
TTC #1: May 2015
DS: 10/20/2016
TTC #2: June 2019
#2 EDD: 2/20/2020
Fell in love: Dec 2005 // Married: Feb 9, 2013
Little Miss Rosalie Harper--Born Jan 9th, 2014
No flaming please... I realize there are much more serious things to worry about. These feel realistic to me and I choose to live in la la land about the more serious stuff lol
Maybe this should be my UO?!
DH: 34
Married: May 2011
TTC #1: May 2015
DS: 10/20/2016
TTC #2: June 2019
#2 EDD: 2/20/2020
I feel so much like FTM about this, even though I'm a STM, because of the c-section the first time, so my recovery feels vastly different. I had no pain or recovery for my lady bits, no extensive bleeding, none of that... So I'm loving this list ladies! Keep the great ideas coming
Mommy to Elizabeth (6/18/09), preemie at 34 weeks
Team Blue!
BFP #1: 7/15/15, SB: 11/14/15
Rainbow baby DS born 9/29/16!!
BFP #3 3/26/18 | Due 12/3/18
@Sprinkels28 I'm buying a waist trainer immediately PP. My stomach muscles are sooo weak from being pregnant back to back I will probably need the extra help.
And yes they will give you stool softener in the hospital. They over did mine and I totally messed up the floor of the bathroom afterwards.
Fell in love: Dec 2005 // Married: Feb 9, 2013
Little Miss Rosalie Harper--Born Jan 9th, 2014
IDK if this was mentioned but I got a belly binder from the hospital last time (not one that is sued to get your back in shape or anything), it was like a giant ace-bandage that squished everything in and it was nice. I used it for the first few days in the car and when moving around because everything felt empty and like it was falling out. I need to dig that out again.
Take all of the stool softeners they offer you, request prune juice often, and don't stop. Just go in and sit on the toilet and relax (bring a book, your phone, etc) because you may be there a while, especially if you are on pain medications. I think I finally pooped on day 4 and it was such a relief.
Overnight pads are a must, but I've had people suggest that going to an asian market or amazon and buying Japanese pads are even better. I have no experience in this, just what I've heard.
BFP: February 2016 EDD: October 17, 2016