what are your after labor plans?

giaM28

all of us are  here because we are planing a natural birth. what about a natural recovery? will you take anything to help you relax? sleep? deal with the after birthing pain and soreness? anything to help with the pain if you tear and need to get stitches?

AshasaurusRex

I tore with DS, and didn't take so much as a Tylenol. I think I was so sleep deprived that it didn't even occur to me. I rested as much as I could, used my perennial squirt bottle, and aired myself out a couple times a day. This time I'm really hoping I don't tear since it's my second, but as far as resting goes, I'll have an 18 month old so we'll see about that.

katcarls

I took a Tylenol twice when they offered it but looking back I could have gone without it.  I wasn't in pain at the time but I wanted to stay ahead of it in case it got worse.  Other than that all I used were those ice pack pads they give you.  I had a first degree tear without stitches.

tastyburger

this is a great question!

personally, I will take any pain relievers/meds that I can get my hands on post-delivery as long as it can't be transferred through breastmilk.  I don't mind plenty of drugs for myself, just not my baby.  once baby is out, as long as it's safe, I'll take it! 

jteneback

I will have ice pads on hand, ask my midwife about herbs, and have my MIL over for a few days so I can get some rest.

yeshuahamasshiah

This is my first, so all the plans may go to sh!t once all is said and done but I will work towards making everything work.

In case of tearing, I plan to use Witch hazel in my mama pads. I also made a neat little gel cold pack with 1 part rubbing alcohol, 3 parts water and 3 drops of blue food coloring, I put them all in a condom and made a fleece cover for it. I have heard that putting a cold pack in the perineum helps with the inflamed tissue. I have it sitting in my freezer and will use it as needed.

For pain relief after the birth, there are several herbs and tinctures which my MW will bring along with her in case I need any.

I also got several peri bottles, one for each bathroom and an extra one in the shower ... I will fill them with some WH and water to wash my vagina as needed. I also made a 'doughnut' pillow to sit on in case I am in that much discomfort. 

I am having my placenta dehydrated and I plan to take 2 pills a day to avoid/prevent PPD. I also plan to keep taking my RRL tea to help with my milk supply.

I am lucky that DH can take up to 8 weeks of paternity leave so if anything I will have him to comfort me and help with DS while LO2 and I get some time to get to know each other/bond/rest/recuperate from the birth.

I think thats mainly it!

MegGary

I took Advil. My tailbone was brused as well as tearing. I was offered perkacet(SP?) & declined. Seriously Advil was all I needed to stay comfortable. Some say the 1st BM is painful & take stool softners. Mine was fine. I've always been regular & it didn't change with my pregnancy. I was able to have a BM the day after delivering w/ no pain. Sitting wasn't that bad either. Maybe the 1st day or so but after that it didn't really bother me.

MegGary

Oh & you'll be plenty tired. The 1st 24 hours I was high on life & adreniline. I couldn't sleep. I just wanted to hold & look at my new baby. You'll sleep just fine. They say to sleep before having the baby. I found the best sleep I've gotten is since I had my daughter. lol I sleep like a rock now.

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bandwife

I had a fantastic burger in the afternoon (had DS at 6am). For sure I will be building a great meal into my recovery plan next time.

As for meds, I didn't take any and none were offerred (home birth). I had some tearing, 2nd degree and a few nicks and grazes. My doula had made some pad-sicles for me before she left (soak pads in a bit of water and then freeze) and they were great for pain relief. I found rest, small bouts of light activity and good food were best for my recovery.

Aloe0l

I'll probably fill whatever prescriptions are recommended.  I generally tend to have a high pain tolerance, so I'll only take what I feel like I need though.  For instance, if they give me percoset, I'll take it - but only if I feel I can't function/move around without it.  I probably won't follow the "Take 1 pill every 4 hours" type instructions unless I absolutely need it every 4 hours.

anmllwyr

Carabiner252:

I got some Earth Mama Angel Baby stuff for my bottom, should it be sore, and for breastfeeding. Some of their breastfeeding stuff is 30% off this week. I plan to use the peri bottle as much as I need to.

I'm not against taking a motrin or tylenol after delivery if I need it. 

Where are Earth mama Angel Baby products on sale for 30% off?  I'd love to pick up some stuff while it's on sale.

mghnmouse

yeshuahamasshiah:

In case of tearing, I plan to use Witch hazel in my mama pads. I have them sitting in my freezer and will use it as needed.

For pain relief after the birth, there are several herbs and tinctures...

Peri bottles, with some WH and water to wash my vagina as needed. 

I am dehydrating my placenta and I plan to take 2 pills a day to avoid/prevent PPD. I also plan to keep taking my RRL tea to help with my milk supply.

This is basically my plan as well. (Thanks yeshuahamasshiah ) I also got some great Traditional Medicinals Mother's Milk Tea, just in case.

flyer23

With DD, I had a third degree tear. I took prescription strength ibuprofen for the first few days -- I definitely needed it, as when I tried to go without it about 24 hours after she was born, I was in a lot of pain. But by maybe day 3 or 4, I was fine. They sent me home with a prescription for something stronger (percocet?) and I never filled it. I did take stool softeners for a week or two. Oh, and they sent me home with one of those inflatable donuts to sit on -- that helped a TON!

With DS, I also tore, but not as badly, and never needed any kind of pain medication post-delivery. Nor did I need a stool softener; my midwife said it usually wasn't necessary for women who had unmedicated births. My homebirth supplies kit came with an awesome herbal bath that I used for the first few days... I loved it!

I definitely didn't take anything to help me sleep, either time! I had no problems with sleeping aside from having a hungry newborn waking up to eat every few hours

KateLouise

I didn't take any pain killers, but I was given a local anaesthetic for the two stitches.

I used hypercal lotion on my girl parts while the stitches healed. It's calendula and hyercium(sp?) 

I also used a natural ointment on my nipples, and bathed them in vinegar and boiled water.

We brought home the placenta and froze it. We plan to bury it in the garden under some trees we will be planting soon. 

 

gnomely

Great question!

I have an after-care box that I prepared. The birthing center that I go to sends you home after 4 to 6 hours, and I'm not sure that they prescribe anything. In fact, I'm pretty sure that they don't. 

I have ibuprofen for the pain, if I need it. I also have witch hazel and pads to make ice-pads and hemorrhoid wipes if I need them. For swelling and any tears I bought an herbal sitz bath. I'll probably go by a stool softener to keep around, just in case.

I'm a big believer in good food as recovery, so I have a grocery list that my mom is going to get with foods that are high in protein, iron and lots of fresh fruit and veggies.

Anonymi

I really just plan on letting my body fix itself as much as possible and if I'm in a ton of pain, I might take pain killers. I may end up with stitches but can those stitches really be worse than the other stitches I've acquired in my life? I'm just skeptical about pain medication since most make me feel funny and not all of them help while doing so (hence why wanting to go natural) so unless I'm in really bad pain, I will not be taking meds and I may use ice packs if those help too.

And for sleep, I think it would be better if I found my own rhythm for sleeping and will not take pain meds. I do have a friend staying at our apartment for a few weeks after the baby is born so I can recover and the house is taken care of so hopefully the no med recovery will work too.

InfinityDreamer

I had quite a few stitches with my first.  I was given something local while they were put in but didn't take anything otherwise.  My fingers are crossed that I don't need any this time.  

I don't normally take medication if I'm sick/mildly fevered/in pain unless I am so ill that its interfering with my ability to function, so I don't have any intention of picking up the habit any time soon.  I will likely be spending a lot of time using the boppy under my bum instead of for nursing and enjoying lots of sitz baths.