Natural Birth
post delivery recovery
Hello ladies! I often lurked here, but never posted much. I just had my second DD last week. I went natural with both and felt pretty great afterwards. This time around my stomach has been a little more sore than with my first. I pushed way too quickly. I tried to slow it down, but I just wanted to push as hard as I could and I walked away with a second degree tear. I ended up getting stiches, and it seems it's taking me a little longer to recover this time around. I totally forgot to ask how long to continue sitz baths and no soap/wiping down below. How long until you started washing and using the bathroom normally post delivery (i.e. w/o the use of the peri-bottle, tucks, etc)? I just cannot remember from DD1.
TIA
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Re: post delivery recovery
I used the spray bottle for, what felt like, forever! Really...about 5-6 weeks. Eventually I just "felt" ready to pat dry with toilet paper and then graduated to a wipe. (I had a first degree tear and a laceration) I think I was ready before the 5-6 weeks, but wanted to be sure. I think because I waited so long there was almost no discomfort when I made the switch. Plus, when I was bleeding less (which took about 5-6 weeks) I didn't feel as dirty when I didn't use the spray bottle.
The Sitz bath I used 3 times a day for about 2 weeks, then 2 days a day for about 3 weeks, then just used it whever I felt sore...like I needed to soak my bottom in something warm!
I used the hospital pads for about a week, then heavy overnight pads for 2 weeks, then regular pads for another 3 weeks. Eventually I was only using a liner..then nothing.
The hemoir-oh jeez, I can never spell that, I am not going to try- I had a lot of discomfort with those. I used organic cabbage (tucked between my cheeks!) for about 2 weeks- it really helped. Eventually I had to get an RX cream that I used with an OTC cream. Those subsided completely by week 8.
My linea nigra, however, is holding on for dear life.
I ended up having an episiotomy b/c my midwife thought I would tear all the way if she let me go. I used the spray bottle, hospital pads, and Tucks pads for about 4 days, switched to regular pads for about a week, and then to pantiliners for about another 2 weeks. I just started wiping when it felt "okay" - probably after about 2 weeks.
As far as sitz baths - I was told to just sit in the tub for 20 minutes, 2-3 times per day. Except that I had a newborn, so obviously that didn't quite work, but I did try to sit in the tub for 5 or 10 minutes 1-2 times per day. It was a nice break from real life!