The ultimate postpartum post

acpruchnik · December 2014

Zsmommmy said:

Any mommies not breat feeding? If so any suggestions on the fastest way to get your milk to dry up and boob pain relievers while it does

You can ask your doctor for medication that will dry you up. Mention it at your next appt and they can get you all the info you need for it

Otherwise, I've heard peppermint helps dry you out but I've never tested it and I don't know anyone personally that's used it.

acpruchnik · December 2014

ryanmichael1208 said:

Suggestions on gifts to give nurses?

https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=gifts%20for%20postpartum%20nurses&term_meta%5B%5D=gifts+for+postpartum+nurses%7Ctyped

krispy83 · December 2014

DBJackson25 said:

So I'm apparently the only woman on earth that doesn't wear yoga pants but everyone is recommending them. What are some good brands? I've only really seen them at VS and I'm not sure I'm into cheetah print

I have the Mossimo ones from Target and like them. They're comfortable, but weren't expensive. Honestly, I'd never worn them at all until recently when I got a pair on sale figuring I'd use them pp. After DS was born, I wore other lounge-type pants at home. I think either is fine, the idea is just to make sure you have something comfy, stretchy, etc.

ryanmichael1208 · December 2014

Thank you!!

yesiknowwhatcausesthat · December 2014

@ryanmichael1208‌ colace is just the brand name. I take the generic that has the same active ingredient.

mom2xover2002 · December 2014

Question- how soon before your due date did you start taking a stool softener or did you just wait until after labor? It's been 12 years on Tuesday and I don't remember this! Lol...

Also for the STM who's kids are older than 5 how was the transition from 2 kids to 3? We are making progress with the almost 12 year old but I feel we will have many meltdowns to come soon.

misshart00 · December 2014

I just want to throw this out there for those of you shopping for postpartum stuff even though this has nothing to do with postpartum. Before your due date, make sure to stock up on household stuff like toilet paper, toothpaste, trash bags, etc. The last thing you want with a new baby is to realize that you need some stupid essential.

twinklymama · December 2014

misshart00 said:
I just want to throw this out there for those of you shopping for postpartum stuff even though this has nothing to do with postpartum. Before your due date, make sure to stock up on household stuff like toilet paper, toothpaste, trash bags, etc. The last thing you want with a new baby is to realize that you need some stupid essential.

Especially in February. Well, February in the colder states/countries anyway.

Tirtza9 · December 2014

@mrsthadababy "When your milk comes in, use a very hot wet washrag or hot water poured into a newborn diaper to relieve pressure and prevent blockage by holding onto your breasts, and massaging the milk down and out."

Thank you so much for this advice! I'm definitely going to try this.

This thread is so helpful, I'm literally taking notes as I read it. Thank you!

Tirtza9 · December 2014

@chicagojackie I heard great things about the My Breast Friend nursing pillow, so I just purchased it yesterday. Do you think I should bring it to the hospital?

Thanks for the help!

digwriter · December 2014

Tirtza9 said:

@chicagojackie I heard great things about the My Breast Friend nursing pillow, so I just purchased it yesterday. Do you think I should bring it to the hospital?

Thanks for the help!

Totally bring it! I bought mine when I had DD and used it often when she was tiny. It's a great way to prevent your arms from getting tired.

Angeldcf · December 2014

ryanmichael1208 said:

Suggestions on gifts to give nurses?

We get a lot of sweets. We love bagels/schmears or Corner Bakery type stuff (small sandwiches, fruit, etc).

Angeldcf · December 2014

To clarify: Colace (generic is fine) is a stool softener. Miralax is a stool softener/laxative. I've been taking the Target brand of Colace on/off during pg and will continue PP. I also did some sennacote/sennosides (laxative) during PP.

A side effect of narcotic pain meds is constipation. You're also not moving around as much. Definitely take stool softeners to combat this.

loriann091 · December 2014

mom2xover2002 said:

Question- how soon before your due date did you start taking a stool softener or did you just wait until after labor? It's been 12 years on Tuesday and I don't remember this! Lol...

I second this question! I don't want to take it too soon and then be "too eager"... :-S

Chcaggie1 · December 2014

thanks so much for starting this thread! Great tips!!

Tirtza9 · December 2014

@BellinghamMama

Thank you sooooooo much for that 'Visitors After the Baby' article link. I've been super anxious about how to deal with the flood of family that plans to visit (and stay in our home) during that first month.

tammynixx · December 2014

My H had to go out and buy me some big giant granny panties after my csection. All of my cute underwear hit right on the insicion spot and it was awful. Make sure you have some high rise undies just in case you get a csection. They are ugly but won't irritate the insicion spot. Also bring things from home so you are comfortable in the hospital.

CitizenKane · December 2014

Typically I am a lurker since my tablet is a total pain to try a post a comment with but since I am on a desk top, here goes.

Get stool softeners and like voting, take early and take often. I was never so terrified to poop until after I gave birth. Granted, I also had a 4th degree tear to contend with BUT stool softeners saved the day and my stitches.

erikadior · December 2014

Wow I needed this thread. Thanks so much, for all the advice ladies. As a first time Mom I too am scared after reading this, but I think I've been neglectful to the fact that I need to prepare more for my own comfort during recovery. I'll be making a Mommy list of items for postpartum off of all these wonderful tips

digwriter · December 2014

Definitely make your comfort a priority! It's very easy to become preoccupied with planning for baby, but you also have to realize that you're about to go through something major. Whether it's a natural part of life or not, it's still traumatic to the body.

dees14 · January 2015

What should I expect the first time breastfeeding? Does it hurt? Any tips?

[Deleted User] · January 2015

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Angeldcf · January 2015

Re: BF

Request a lactation consultant (LC) during your stay. While women have been doing it for thousands of years, it can still be tricky.

LO would latch on and start suckling. As my colostrum/milk let down, it felt like pin pricks- not painful but discomfort for a few seconds. This went away. As he nursed, the oxytocin kicked it- felt like taking Vicodin which was awesome at the end. At the beginning weeks, that same oxytocin stimulated uterine contractions (which is a GOOD thing to help your uterus return to normal size), but can feel like bad menstrual cramps.

usmcwife89 · January 2015

Has anyone had a catheter put in during labor? Did you have an epidural?

I am terrified of this after reading lots of horror stories. That's what I get for trying to google something :-/

misshart00 · January 2015

usmcwife89 said:

Has anyone had a catheter put in during labor? Did you have an epidural? I am terrified of this after reading lots of horror stories. That's what I get for trying to google something :-/

I had a catheter. I was also in the ER a week later with a massive kidney infection. It's not a big deal, but be aware of it before the 103 degree fever.

loriann091 · January 2015

usmcwife89 said:
Has anyone had a catheter put in during labor? Did you have an epidural?

I am terrified of this after reading lots of horror stories. That's what I get for trying to google something :-/

To piggy back off of this - my mom said you can refuse a catheter, is that true? I'm also terrified of them.

thegoodpotato · January 2015

I was catheterized after labour by my midwife because I was unable to urinate after delivery due to the swelling. I had not had any pain medication administered, and it did not hurt. It was definitely uncomfortable having a tube put up your urethra, but I wouldn't classify it as painful.

A catheter isn't something to fear. It's about as uncomfortable as a pap smear.

chicagojackie · January 2015

Tirtza9 said:
@chicagojackie I heard great things about the My Breast Friend nursing pillow, so I just purchased it yesterday. Do you think I should bring it to the hospital?

Thanks for the help!

Yes! I loved having mine at the hospital and just washed the covers today to get it ready to go!!

chicagojackie · January 2015

loriann091 said:

usmcwife89 said:
Has anyone had a catheter put in during labor? Did you have an epidural?

I am terrified of this after reading lots of horror stories. That's what I get for trying to google something :-/
To piggy back off of this - my mom said you can refuse a catheter, is that true? I'm also terrified of them.

---
Sometimes things get so swollen from the pressure you can't empty your bladder. The issue can be that the full bladder then blocks the final descent of the baby or you pee on yourself and baby until the head clears. The nurse can tell by putting her hand on you belly if your bladder is distended. She will usually only Cath you once to get the bladder out of the way, nbd.

Before you refuse any procedure ask why they are doing it and how it's supposed to help.

loriann091 · January 2015

@chicagojackie‌ Thanks! That's helpful. And I don't want to pee on anyone (yet another goal during L&D!)

I guess my concern is more of being anchored to a bed because I'm hooked up to IVs or such. I've heard walking/warm showers/moving around help ease discomfort at the starting points of labor and I don't want to be stuck from the get go. But I'm not really one to tell a doc "no" either.

thegoodpotato · January 2015

loriann091 said:

@chicagojackie‌ Thanks! That's helpful. And I don't want to pee on anyone (yet another goal during L&D!) I guess my concern is more of being anchored to a bed because I'm hooked up to IVs or such. I've heard walking/warm showers/moving around help ease discomfort at the starting points of labor and I don't want to be stuck from the get go. But I'm not really one to tell a doc "no" either.

I had to be stuck to an IV with Amanda because she was an induction. I was still able to get up and go pee and all - and thank God, because when they're pumping you full of liquid via IV, you pee A LOT. I've never been that hydrated in my life.

They used wireless monitors on me, so the IV just got unplugged for the couple minutes it took me to pee (they have battery backups). I didn't actually find it that inconvenient to be stuck to an IV pole... but my induction was about 4 hours from start to end.

digwriter · January 2015

Had a cath placed when i had DD with an epidural. I simply asked to have it placed after the epi was in place. NBD.

[Deleted User] · January 2015

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misshart00 · January 2015

Stephanie2378 said:
@usmcwife89‌ I THINK (others may be able to clarify since I've never actually had one) that they can insert it just to drain your bladder then remove it immediately.

Yep. That's what they did to me when I couldn't pee after labor.

Angeldcf · January 2015

They can in & out cath you or insert a Foley cath.

I'm confused though why some people seem more hesitant about a Foley than having a needle/cath in their epidural space. Far riskier.

greenbumbletea · January 2015

Thank you so much for starting this post! As a FTM expecting any day now it's REALLY helpful to read everybody's experiences and advice. Even though it's still nerve-wracking thinking about labor, it's nice to know how many people have gone through this and have made it to the other side!

MamaBird224 · February 2015

As a FTM, this thread has been incredibly helpful! Thank you! Unfortunately, I've already gotten to experience the wonders of tucks and prep h, as third trimester hemorrhoids are in full effect. I'm also taking colace regularly, which has helped. I'm wondering if I should bring colace to the hospital or is that something that will be provided? Secondly, can anyone else chime in regarding side effects of pain meds immediately following delivery? I may not be getting an epidural (low platelets) so I'm sure I'll be offered pain meds after delivery, especially if I tear. However, pain meds tend to make me nauseous and sometimes a little loopy. I don't want to feel "drugged" for my first moments with baby. Would taking the meds orally be better than through an IV?

anxiousmommy85 · February 2015

I've had both the analgesic and the epidural. The first does make you loopy, but it also wears off fast. Particularly compared to the epidural. Just make sure to communicate your needs and concerns to your care team. They'll be able to guide you in the direction you need.