Since we have an influx of newbie or FTM questions does anyone think it would be helpful to have a thread to have them asked in without fear of flames or snark?
This is something that TTGP does and it was really helpful to weed out the silly, repetitive questions, and the questions that people were generally afraid to ask.
Just a thought since it seems we're all a little tired of the "go to your doctor" answers in multiple posts.
If you've got a question now would be the time to post it in here and ask with little to no snark.
Re: Newbie/FTM questions?
Come on mamas give me all your questions while I feel like playing nice.
Right after labor I took a shower. I pulled down my mesh panties and blood literally sprayed everywhere. Clots and all. Like sticking your finger on the end of a garden hose.
They tell you to pass small clots, don't be alarmed if you pass one that looks like a baseball.
I did have c-sections so my OB cleaned me out some so my experience may be different from someone who had a vaginal birth.
My OB told me that when the placenta detached from the uterine wall, it creates an open wound. All the blood and tissue that collected in the uterus during pregnancy needs to be able to get out of the uterus so that it can heal. A tampon causes all that stuff to back up into the uterus (not good). Sex before your 6 week mark is also risky because it introduces bacteria and can cause serious infection. Basically, your vagina needs to be an "exit only" for the first 6 weeks (or until your OB/midwife tells you differently).
@MissChristineMarie in my personal experience there ain't no way a tampon was going near my vagina. Not to mention, it wouldn't have done anything. I was stiched up beyond belief and I was afraid to touch that area, let alone try to put something into it. For me, the pp poop was horrible. I've heard from some it wasn't that bad but from the pain meds and iron I was on, I was stopped up for a long time so that first actual, rock hard poop, hurt like hell. The stitches didn't help either.
@katehgee I truly believed the recovery was worse. Did labor and delivery suck? Yes, but I knew there was a "prize" at the end of it. Going through the pain felt worth it because I knew what I was going to be holding. After he was here I was just ready to be healed. Another thing nobody really tells you is how much it hurts for your uterus to contract back to size and how long it takes. I've heard some people say their recovery was a breeze but in my experience, it was awful. I was also having trouble with BF and a jaundice baby so adding all of that to lack of sleep and majorly healing body...not fun.
D14 November Siggy Challenge: The feels of 3rd trimester...
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DH was good for doing dishes, keeping things relatively clean and bringing home take out lol. Plus the mandatory diaper changes and holding baby whenever I was willing to let go.
To prepare before hand, stock up on snacks and water, anything you'll use around the house frequently, pads & tucks, if you cook you can freeze dinner meals or buy things for easy crockpot recipies.
Again, this is my story, so it will be completely different for you, but I'm glad to share! I was dead set, stubborn, not budging on BF. My son refused to latch and was also jaundice so getting him milk was extremely important. I woke him up every two hours to try and get him to latch and when he wouldn't I would then pump. I was basically awake 24 hours a day for the first two weeks fighting with my kid to latch and pumping. Having DH there was nice because he could clean bottles and help around the house if needed, but as far as taking care of our son, it was basically me the whole time. It's absolutely possible to take care of the baby on your own as long as you don't mind some of the things around your house going unattended for a little while. The laundry and dishes will get done eventually though, no matter who ends up doing them.
D14 November Siggy Challenge: The feels of 3rd trimester...