Tips for recovery after delivery

AggieMom0809 · September 2014

I stumbled upon this page and while I hadn't heard of the cold pack or witch hazel being used, I would not have survived without the epifoam or Dermoplast they "gave" me. As awkward and ugly as the mesh panties were, I made full use of them to not ruin my own.

https://realnewmom.blogspot.com/2010/11/undie-sundae.html

I know it's months away still, but any other 2nd plus time moms that have tips for after birth recovery?

cassied7 · September 2014

I also had an episiotomy and I couldn't have lived without the cold packs and spray bottle. I was never offered any kind of foam spray or anything else, so I don't know what I was missing. I just know that my lady bits were VERY swollen and the cold packs were like heaven.

Mrs_Bennett · September 2014

Lol, and YES to that entire post! The dermaplast and witch hazel pads were the only things that made my episiotomy even semi-bearable after DS1!

Edit to add: I stocked up on all of those things before DS2 was born with much dread and anticipation of the "fun", but had no tearing/cutting and didn't use any of them (except the pads). So, they're good to have on hand, but definitely not needed for everyone. No fear, FTMs!

BackseatDriver · September 2014

I also had tucks pads on hand just in case, but I didn't up needing them. This got me wondering if they expire though because I think I still have them.

I only had a little internal tear so I didn't need anything else either.

robsbabygirl08 · September 2014

I actually wet a baby diaper and stuck it in the freezer then squirted it with Witch hazel before applying it. It's a lot less Bulky.

storm08 · September 2014

I tore with DS, so the ice packs, dermaplast and squirt bottle were my friend. Oh and seriously, when they offer you stool softeners just say yes.

AggieMom0809 · September 2014

ExcitedMama2 said:

And this, my sweet friends, is why I'm completely fine with a RCS. Sitz baths and frozen pads and spray bottles? No thank you!

Not sure what RCS is. The sitz bath and other stuff sound bad, but with them there was little pain and more of a relief feeling. The sitz bath was also an excuse to take a much needed break.

It may not be as nice as a hot bath to "get away," but it was my time to not have to worry about the baby or other kid and it was still a stress/pain reliever.

llambrose · September 2014

The hospital sent me home with ice pads, squirt bottle, Epifoam, Dermaplast, witch hazel pads and pain meds. I used them all to some degree. My daughter came fast so I had some tearing.

hiphopdancer2007 · September 2014

Depends! I would do pretty much the exact same as she listed in the blog and the pull the depends over the top. No leaks to worry about because the depends caught it if I did happen to leak.

AggieMom0809 · September 2014

hiphopdancer2007 said:

Depends! I would do pretty much the exact same as she listed in the blog and the pull the depends over the top. No leaks to worry about because the depends caught it if I did happen to leak.

That's a great idea! They probably fit better than the mesh ones. I was always worried about leakage with the mesh ones.

sanbry · September 2014

I had a c section and will likely be having an RCS, so my tip for c section recovery mamas is walk as soon as you can. Walking helped me heal faster and got the gas moving out of my system so less pains from that. I also used the stomach support band the hospital provided but will probably purchase my own this time. Helped with pain as well. Oh and I used the mesh panties and jumbo pads until I left the hospital, then it was high waisted granny panties for me

Trek3 · September 2014

I didn't get any of these things except for the mesh underwear and peri bottle. I had 2nd and 3rd degree tears from my deliveries, advil at regular intervals helped.

I am hoping to get them all this time, sounds sooo soothing. I also bought a sitz bath.

iheartichi · September 2014

AHHHHHHHHHH!

sparksfly22 · September 2014

I'm scared of labor. Even more now

Maebb · September 2014

llambrose said:
The hospital sent me home with ice pads, squirt bottle, Epifoam, Dermaplast, witch hazel pads and pain meds. I used them all to some degree. My daughter came fast so I had some tearing.

All this for me too. The ice pads and epi foam were nice. I was nice to the nurses, and they gave me lots of extra to take home, so I don't think FTMs need to worry about stocking up.

Other tips for recovery - this is common sense, but I just took it easy, slept as much as I could, and tried to drink lots of water. When DS was sleeping, I mostly relaxed or slept. I didn't worry too much about house chores and things like that. That stuff can wait!

llambrose · September 2014

Don't be too scared, it isn't comfortable but it is really more of that nagging annoying thing that you have with any minor injury. I would compare it when I recently broke my pinkie toe. It hurt, I needed to be tender with it and it required a little extra attention but it wasn't like I couldn't still go about my normal life. I totally understand because I was really scared for labor my first time but when it was happening, I was fine. Don't get too freaked out!

Stargirlb · September 2014

Bidet is way better than dry wiping any day, not just after delivery.

AggieMom0809 · September 2014

HappyMonkey817 said:

sparksfly22 said:

I'm scared of labor. Even more now

Same here. Reading this thread was not comforting at all.

I was terrified about the possible pain of labor, delivery, and recovery the first time, but it wasn't nearly as scary as I thought it would be. I had way too many pain killers with my first time and was way too tense. I was able to relax better the second time around, used the exercise ball and walked around until they said it was my last chance to get an epidural. I tore again the second time, but with both had to be told it was torn.

I see how all this may make it sound worse, but it's stuff I wish I knew going into the first time. I was just given the items. No one said how to use them other than "down there."

Beauxbaton · September 2014

ExcitedMama2 said:
And this, my sweet friends, is why I'm completely fine with a RCS. Sitz baths and frozen pads and spray bottles? No thank you!

Meh. The only thing I used was the spray bottle. And that was only until the majority of the bleeding stopped. No way was I going to wipe enough to feel clean.

Beauxbaton · September 2014

Oh wait, I did use an ice pack the following weeks but that's because I'd wake up in so much pain radiating from my pubic bone. I'm pretty sure it was my pelvis returning to normal though. I had really bad SPD and so idk if that had anything to do with that.

Beauxbaton · September 2014

ExcitedMama2 said:
I've been reading up on increasing milk supply, and came across an article talking about raspberry leaf tea. I don't think it is actually for milk supply, but the article said drinking it daily in third trimester is supposed to help with labor pains and recovery afterwards. Has anyone used this? Im having a csection, so I'm not sure if it'll help that recovery, but figured it can't hurt.

I started drinking it in last trimester, and sometimes I'd just take the red raspberry leaf tea. Idk if it helped. I heal pretty slow. But I didn't have any issues with healing. Its supposed to be good for uterine health. So in theory since your uterus still has to heal, shrink, and shed(proper term? Not sure?) even after a csection it would still help.

Beauxbaton · September 2014

@ExcitedMama2‌ I also meant that I sometimes just took the red reasperry leaf tea pills. the tea wasn't my cup of....tea. (See what I did there?) It tastes weird. Like plastic almost to me. So when I drank the tea I'd make a small cup, let it steep a little long then drink it like a shot.

mmmbop306 · September 2014

I never got any epi foam or dermoplast for first baby but I'll be picking some up for this one! Hopefully things go a lot smoother this time around though.

Cbeanz · September 2014

Lol "Undie Sundae!"

Seriously though, recovery wasn't bad at all. That blog writer is a fear monger. Or at least she's trying hard to be entertaining.

GracefulStar · September 2014

I didn't use the dermoplast but I might this time. Tucks and the peri bottle were a must! Ask the nurse and she will pack you some. And I second stool softeners,you can take them while breast feeding/pumping so no worry there. I might do the depends this time around... The pad and mesh were ok but didn't fully work for me.

Stargirlb · September 2014

If anyone is scared about vag recovery I personally have not found it bad at all! I was up walking around from the minute I gave birth. I even went to the mall the first time to buy some baby clothes. And I had torn both times and got stitches. All the post birth adrenaline and hormones made it so that I didn't even notice any pain. I felt great. Certainly no need for pain killers. I did have both births all natural though which I have heard makes a difference in the afterbirth "high".

The tiredness did hit me (full night up laboring instead of sleeping,) but that was about it. Wearing the comfy pads and squirting down there with water after every bathroom break was about the only special care I had to do. And like I said, bidets are better than dry wiping anyways! I squirted with water for much longer than I actually had to just because it felt good and cleaner.

honeybeee3 · September 2014

I tore when I had DS because he came out fast but all I needed after was Witch hazel pads(tucks), stool softeners, ibuprofen(no narcotics) and a squirt bottle. The hospital provided all of this plus they give you some pretty sexy undies and GIGANTIC diaper-like pads(i really hated those). I strongly reccomend bringing your own maxi pads!

Also, I really like raspberry leaf tea but I don't know if it really helped with anything?? Mothers Milk Tea by Tradional Medicinals is great for helping with milk supply. I drank it daily up until I got my BFP.

Beauxbaton · September 2014

Cbeanz said:
Lol "Undie Sundae!"

Seriously though, recovery wasn't bad at all. That blog writer is a fear monger. Or at least she's trying hard to be entertaining.

I finally actually read the article. I've seen it before. But I read through it again. I don't like how she called a vaginal delivery a vaginal assualt. Also thought I'd mention a few more things I remembered.

They gave me an ice pack and a pad immediately after delivering. But after I could feel again (epidural user righybher!) I didn't use another ice pack. They are too big and bulky and not comfy. Feels like wearing one big giant wet diaper.

I tried using ticks pads, even though k wasn't in much pain. I had just heard how suuuuuper great they are for healing. They just made me sting. Never used em again.

And I agree with previous posters about getting up and moving around as soon as possible after birth, regardless of delivery method. I think my epidural had.mostly worn off by two hours after delivery. But one of those was spent doing skin to skin. Then another one getting all my shit unhooked and getting to the recovery room. So by the time it had worn off I was in recovery and needed to pee. So the nurse and DH helped to the bathroom. My first bathroom experience was fine. It was terrifying. Neither was the first time I pooped.

I only used the hospital pads for a day or two. They were SO BIG.

motherboy · September 2014

I didn't read the article, just lazy. I will probably buy a thing of tucks pads before I deliver. I know the hospital will give me some, but those are the kind of things you don't want to have to ration. I ran out last time and that was annoying.

Moms don't be scared. You will get through it! Don't be afraid to really lean on your partner/support person, even if he is working and not getting much sleep. You will need help in the beginning.

rachel+family · September 2014

@ExcitedMama2‌ I used the raspberry leaf tea before and after labour for recovery. It helped with milk supply and also toned the uterus and my midwife says helps it contract back to normal- so does nursing though. I just would add a raspberry leaf + mothers milk tea back and steep it forever and then drink it on ice with honey. I did feel minor after pains/contractions so I think it helped. Also I found that my bulgy tummy went back a lot quicker than I expected

Side note- I had a csection with number one so maybe that's why I felt the tea contracting my uterus more?

AggieMom0809 · September 2014

CuppyCakes721 said:

Lol "Undie Sundae!" Seriously though, recovery wasn't bad at all. That blog writer is a fear monger. Or at least she's trying hard to be entertaining.
I finally actually read the article. I've seen it before. But I read through it again. I don't like how she called a vaginal delivery a vaginal assualt. Also thought I'd mention a few more things I remembered. They gave me an ice pack and a pad immediately after delivering. But after I could feel again (epidural user righybher!) I didn't use another ice pack. They are too big and bulky and not comfy. Feels like wearing one big giant wet diaper. I tried using ticks pads, even though k wasn't in much pain. I had just heard how suuuuuper great they are for healing. They just made me sting. Never used em again. And I agree with previous posters about getting up and moving around as soon as possible after birth, regardless of delivery method. I think my epidural had.mostly worn off by two hours after delivery. But one of those was spent doing skin to skin. Then another one getting all my shit unhooked and getting to the recovery room. So by the time it had worn off I was in recovery and needed to pee. So the nurse and DH helped to the bathroom. My first bathroom experience was fine. It was terrifying. Neither was the first time I pooped. I only used the hospital pads for a day or two. They were SO BIG.

I hadn't heard of using the tucks, but wondered about the stinging. My mom was insistent on using witch hazel when I was younger to avoid pimples. That stuff stung bad on any slight break in the skin.

I didn't move for a while with my first because I had way to big of a dose in the epidural. I had to be helped to a wheel chair and rolled to the postpartum room that was 15 feet away. The second time I tried to move around, but the Drs and nurses "highly suggested" I stay in bed unless I needed to go to the bathroom.

Beauxbaton · September 2014

@AggieMom0809‌ tucks pads main ingredient is Witch hazel.

bigbobdole · September 2014

sanbry said:
I had a c section and will likely be having an RCS, so my tip for c section recovery mamas is walk as soon as you can. Walking helped me heal faster and got the gas moving out of my system so less pains from that. I also used the stomach support band the hospital provided but will probably purchase my own this time. Helped with pain as well. Oh and I used the mesh panties and jumbo pads until I left the hospital, then it was high waisted granny panties for me

Second everything you said..

And those panties were my favorite. . I was telling my husband about them today.. Why am I so excited for mesh panties?

AggieMom0809 · September 2014

CuppyCakes721 said:

@AggieMom0809‌ tucks pads main ingredient is Witch hazel.

I get that. I wasn't given them or suggested that I should use them, just surprised that something that can stink an open would would be suggested.

CoachTay · September 2014

I had labor/delivery/aftermath worked up in my head to be WAY WORSE than it actually was. My labor was painful, and long -- I did have an epidural about 33 hours into it, which helped me "rest" for the remaining 7 hours before B was born. I had an episiotomy (B was facing up, so she had a little trouble coming out), so I had stitches. I think the worst part for me was how messy trips to the bathroom were for the first few days. I tried the Tucks pads, but found that they stung more than anything, so I quit using those immediately and just stuck with the mesh undies and giant pads. Peri bottle was a life saver too. I was sore for the first couple of days (nothing a little tylenol couldn't help - which I usually just took at the end of the day when I was the most sore), but was out shopping/visiting friends/etc. 4-5 days post partum.

I know every woman's experience is different, but personally, I didn't find it all that bad (perhaps because I did work it up so much before hand =P).

Trek3 · September 2014

Recovery isn't as bad as it sounds.

With my first, I had a second degree tear - I walked from the delivery room to the hospital room, I went shopping on the second day home, and was a bit sore but fine.

With my second, I had a third degree tear - it was much more painful, I couldn't walk right away as it was too sore, and recovery was longer and much more uncomfortable. HOWEVER it wasn't a nightmare, I healed fine and got through it - it is not something to worry about beforehand. I am just hoping for 2nd degree or less as the recovery is so much easier!

[Deleted User] · September 2014

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CoachTay · September 2014

Britt1406 said:

Loved the tucks pads- never used the epifoam before (actually this was the first I've heard of it). I was terrified to have an episiotomy and of course, that is what I ended up with. I was actually surprised at how well my recovery went. Of course sex was painful for a while (once cleared) but actual stitches/healing went pretty fast.

Same - my doctor told me I would be asked if I was OK with an episiotomy or if I'd rather just tear naturally, but in the heat of the moment, it was just done (I had a diff doc delivering) which I was actually ok with because I think I would have had extreme anxiety had I been asked if it was OK.

Sex was painful for me too -- for probably 6 months post partum. Poor H.

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