post partum healing tips

virginiaunicorn11 · June 2015

What have you found helps your recovery best?

I know what the doctors and books say, so am wondering what your bodies are telling you.

virginiaunicorn11 · June 2015

I realllyyyy don't feel like it, but I always feel sooo much better after a very slow, hour long walk. I'm 9 days post partum and still in a lot of pain. After walks, I bleed more but I feel sooo much better. It's as effective as pain pills for me.

seesea · June 2015

Walking helped me a ton after my c-section. I feel like I healed much quicker this 2nd time around. It took me a while after my first.

ElRuby · June 2015

Witch hazel pads, ice pack pads from the hospital, earth mama angel baby new mama bottom spray! I have not needed much in terms of meds just the occasional ibuprofen and definitely Colace to help soften the stools!!

My hospital sent me home with more than what I would need for recovery it was pretty awesome (plus about a months supply of diapers and wipes!)... It really pays to be nice to the nursing staff!!

Cuij · June 2015

Sitz baths always helped me! With Epsom salts and some witch hazel. A little spa for my Virginia and Anal.

mccall35 · June 2015

Cuij said:
Sitz baths always helped me! With Epsom salts and some witch hazel. A little spa for my Virginia and Anal.

My Virginia and anal have been in desperate need of some TLC. I shall be picking up some Epsom salts this afternoon for a full indulgence sitz bath this evening when DH gets home from work.

Eta: Extra strength Tylenol and walking for atleast 30 min a day have been my jam.

virginiaunicorn11 · June 2015

My doctor told me no baths for 6 weeks. Harrumph!

dancegurl1118 · June 2015

Sitz bath and tucks pads with 600mg Motrin every 6 hours was my jam. Just starting to feel good with less bleeding at 13 days.

virginiaunicorn11 · June 2015

dancegurl1118 said:
Sitz bath and tucks pads with 600mg Motrin every 6 hours was my jam. Just starting to feel good with less bleeding at 13 days.

Oh good! Was gonna ask when people started to feel ok again. Sitting and getting up and down are still painful at 9 days, for me.

dancegurl1118 · June 2015

@virginiaunicorn11 if I sat too long in one position it would feel like there was a bowling ball in my perineum. Also the pads I was using (while great for absorbency) were really rough and would almost cause friction if I was in position too long. I changed to a much thinner but still absorbent pad and it's much more comfy. But I seriously can't recommend a sitz bath enough. If they don't sell them near you just fill your tub with enough REALLY warm water where it just covers your vagina and butt and sit there for 15 min. Aids in the inflammation and healing so much.

HoosOnFirst · June 2015

dancegurl1118 said:

@virginiaunicorn11 if I sat too long in one position it would feel like there was a bowling ball in my perineum. Also the pads I was using (while great for absorbency) were really rough and would almost cause friction if I was in position too long. I changed to a much thinner but still absorbent pad and it's much more comfy. But I seriously can't recommend a sitz bath enough. If they don't sell them near you just fill your tub with enough REALLY warm water where it just covers your vagina and butt and sit there for 15 min. Aids in the inflammation and healing so much.

Yeah I never thought this much about my perineum until this! I have a major hemorrhoid there too so sitz baths just aggravated it. However regular baths are the best! Takes pressure off of all places

I too ended up moving to thin pads - the thicker ones hurt due to too much pressure. Actually to be frank I used Depends - thin and disposable! And easily gotten through Amazon.

I wouldn't say I feel awesome but I started feeling more like myself around day 11 or 12. I need to make myself go outside more, I always feel better having done so but getting up the interest is so hard when I still just want to sleep.

henrytviii · June 2015

Why no bath? If i skipped the bath during the first week my pain was much worse. I wish i had made time for the 3 a dat recommended to me.

The new foam pads are great and caused less irritation and pressure for me. I am feeling quite a bit better now at 19 days out, had some setbacks at the end of last week where everything seemed really swollen and I found myself googling uterine prolapse. False alarm I think. What seems to help is more lying down and less sitting and chores, combined with mild activity, slow walks. And adding kegels. I'm not sure why but they seem to promote healing and reduce swelling down there for me. I really can't wait to work out, run, ride my bike etc. I hate knowing that is probably months off for me. Sadly my boobs hurt 100x more than my crotch and those are going to keep me down for a very long while.

staceyfern · June 2015

I was starting to feel better and then had to get checked down there on day 5 and it set me back so bad. Turns out I was having muscle spasms down there so now on muscle relaxers. Think that has helped a bit.

teather5 · June 2015

virginiaunicorn11 said:
My doctor told me no baths for 6 weeks. Harrumph!

My postpartum nurse said no baths too but my OB discharge papers instructed to do them. I decided to start once the bleeding stopped but luckily I didn't bleed long. I have felt such an improvement since. I would ask for clarification why.

Sammy K · June 2015

I thought this was a good thread to bump. Aside from the physical healing, I found having a few designated sleep days and productive days helps my mental well being. MWF I nap as much as possible. TTH are my days to run errands or clean. Weekends and evenings are all about DS. It helps me to have set days to catch up on sleep and days to get out of the house.

krystleshel · June 2015

I can't say enough about resting that first full week home. I came home riding on some adrenaline from birth/meeting LO & my pain meds & I over did it & was so sick feeling for 2 days. Everyone talks about birth, labor, & newborns, & not so much on mommy recovery. I expected to jump back to things much quicker (thank you American/celebrity culture for idealizing this). I didn't take my stronger pain meds for one morning after I felt a little less sick to remind myself that I had just created a human being & pushed it out (talk about trauma to our bodies!!). Now I'm slowly adding activity around the house & trips out & feel much better!

virginiaunicorn11 · June 2015

Sammy K said:
I thought this was a good thread to bump. Aside from the physical healing, I found having a few designated sleep days and productive days helps my mental well being. MWF I nap as much as possible. TTH are my days to run errands or clean. Weekends and evenings are all about DS. It helps me to have set days to catch up on sleep and days to get out of the house.

That is a brilliant suggestion, thank you!!!!

ElRuby · June 2015

@virginiaunicorn11 my dr said no bath for 6 weeks too... My friend told me her midwife recommended them... So I took one and later that day went to hospital (obviously a total freaky coincidence but now I am scarred from baths!). Note: no fear-mongering intended as the bath was taken in an attempt to stop me from shaking and shivering from the crazy fever I already had.

ElRuby · June 2015

For healing I loved the giant ice pack pads as well as The earth mama angel baby spray.... Witch hazel pads and rest when Possible... If someone offers to cook you a meal take it!

virginiaunicorn11 · June 2015

@ElRuby I've decided I'm just going to avoid them. I can't be trusted not to fill the tub and settle in with a book or movie, for an hour+. It is keeping me going because it will be my 6 week treat to myself- almost halfway there!

Sorry it may not have worked for you. Hope you're all better and enjoying getting out again!

lauraf314 · June 2015

Sammy K said:

I thought this was a good thread to bump. Aside from the physical healing, I found having a few designated sleep days and productive days helps my mental well being. MWF I nap as much as possible. TTH are my days to run errands or clean. Weekends and evenings are all about DS. It helps me to have set days to catch up on sleep and days to get out of the house.

That sounds like an amazing plan, and a great guilt-free way to still be productive while taking care of yourself. Kudos!

queequeg09256 · June 2015

I found the Epsom salt baths to be the most helpful along with the hospital grade pain relief spray and witch hazel that the gave me. Im now at day 20 and other than my back from leaning over lo I feel great! I didn't do a lot of physical activity before but am looking to start zumba again in the next few days.

mvargas12 · June 2015

@virginiaunicorn11 maybe your doctor meant no bathtub baths? They told me no bathtub baths but encouraged the sitz baths. They are just concerned about germs and stuff in the bathtub with everything that's open and healing

queequeg09256 · June 2015

I know for csection there is a bunch of different rules for baths.

virginiaunicorn11 · June 2015

@mvargas12 Probably. There is a definite language barrier!!

virginiaunicorn11 · June 2015

Water. I'm finding I need to drink even more water than when I was pregnant. It makes a huge huge difference for my boobs, most of all.

klkonwi · June 2015

I need some advice ladies...... ESP Any medical ladies.
It's a total poop conundrum
I've been icing, taking citracel, miralax, colace, 2 doses of milk of mag last night, and drinking so much water.....
I can't poop. It feels like it's all sitting there but can't get out.
Starting to wonder if he sewed my butt shut ...... Lol. No but seriously.

The least he could of done was sewn my Virginia shut. Don't need that shit anymore.........
But what is a girl to do?
I don't think an enema?!? Because id have to force the tip thing in there ?
Help.....

KaLikeAWind · June 2015

@klkonwi maybe its a mental thing? You know, worrying about it so much is preventing the act from happening?

Outside of that, could you use a suppository? Course, it may be that DH may have to place it for you :-S

smbolton360 · June 2015

Walking, sitz baths and sitting on an inflatable doughnut for the first 2 weeks helped me the most. Dermoplast and tucks pads were awesome in the beginning too but I loved my sitz baths and doughnut! I didn't realize sitting would hurt so much.

Sammy K · June 2015

@klkonwi I don't know anything else to try but I hope you get some relief soon!

staceyfern · June 2015

klkonwi said:
I need some advice ladies...... ESP Any medical ladies.
It's a total poop conundrum
I've been icing, taking citracel, miralax, colace, 2 doses of milk of mag last night, and drinking so much water.....
I can't poop. It feels like it's all sitting there but can't get out.
Starting to wonder if he sewed my butt shut ...... Lol. No but seriously.

The least he could of done was sewn my Virginia shut. Don't need that shit anymore.........
But what is a girl to do?
I don't think an enema?!? Because id have to force the tip thing in there ?
Help.....

This happened to me ( I have never had any issues with constipation before) and I was so frustrated. I kept taking the colase but it didn't last long. Like maybe a day. It was not fun.

Question- how long after birth do you take the colase? I am going more regularly and not often having trouble but actually just went and it was so big (sorry) it hurt to get it out!- and now my tush is a little sore. Tomorrow will be three weeks so I thought I would be past this.

ElRuby · June 2015

@klkonwi I couldn't go until I was home... Totally a mental thing... But being in my own space was just what I needed to go.

bwow615 · June 2015

klkonwi said:
I need some advice ladies...... ESP Any medical ladies.
It's a total poop conundrum
I've been icing, taking citracel, miralax, colace, 2 doses of milk of mag last night, and drinking so much water.....
I can't poop. It feels like it's all sitting there but can't get out.
Starting to wonder if he sewed my butt shut ...... Lol. No but seriously.

The least he could of done was sewn my Virginia shut. Don't need that shit anymore.........
But what is a girl to do?
I don't think an enema?!? Because id have to force the tip thing in there ?
Help.....

I'm having the same issues. I've gone a total of 3 times, 11 days PP now. And each time it's horrible. It helps to put pressure on your perineum when you have to go. I've been doing all of the above as well, and starting to think my change of prenatal vitamin is causing the prolonged issue.

HoosOnFirst · June 2015

klkonwi said:

I need some advice ladies...... ESP Any medical ladies. It's a total poop conundrum I've been icing, taking citracel, miralax, colace, 2 doses of milk of mag last night, and drinking so much water..... I can't poop. It feels like it's all sitting there but can't get out. Starting to wonder if he sewed my butt shut ...... Lol. No but seriously. The least he could of done was sewn my Virginia shut. Don't need that shit anymore......... But what is a girl to do? I don't think an enema?!? Because id have to force the tip thing in there ? Help.....

I don't know, but I didn't poop until probably 5-6 days post-partum...

jessieR358 · June 2015

@klkonwi mag citrate? Suppository? Have you tried drinking coffee? I've got no other advice for you, but would caution using too much more at the same time! sounds terrible.

KonaCoffeeBean · June 2015

swiebe said:

I need some advice ladies...... ESP Any medical ladies. It's a total poop conundrum I've been icing, taking citracel, miralax, colace, 2 doses of milk of mag last night, and drinking so much water..... I can't poop. It feels like it's all sitting there but can't get out. Starting to wonder if he sewed my butt shut ...... Lol. No but seriously. The least he could of done was sewn my Virginia shut. Don't need that shit anymore......... But what is a girl to do? I don't think an enema?!? Because id have to force the tip thing in there ? Help.....
I'm having the same issues. I've gone a total of 3 times, 11 days PP now. And each time it's horrible. It helps to put pressure on your perineum when you have to go. I've been doing all of the above as well, and starting to think my change of prenatal vitamin is causing the prolonged issue.

Yep, counter-pressure. It's weird but helped me feel like I wasn't going to tear anything open.

dancegurl1118 · June 2015

@klkonwi are you farting? I'm sure they didn't sew you shut but since it was into the rectum it's probably tighter than before, and the normal constipation definitely isn't helping. An enema might be the endgame here...hoping that poo just falls right out.

staceyfern · June 2015

jesshrou said:
@klkonwi mag citrate? Suppository? Have you tried drinking coffee? I've got no other advice for you, but would caution using too much more at the same time! sounds terrible.

I don't know if I would force it. My thought is your body might not be ready and I would be scared to force it so soon after birth. I am not a doctor or nurse, I would just be so scared to force it

henrytviii · June 2015

@klkonwi Just wanted to say I'm sorry you had such a rough delivery and are having to deal with this. I think we are all trying to give advice but none of us as far as I know had as rough of a tear or repair. Please go back in or call if you think something is really wrong. Did you deliver at your own workplace? Can you call someplace other than your own hospital if you don't want to discuss it with coworkers? Feel better.

rachelkaylene · June 2015

I am two days postpartum and I got a 2nd degree tear and I will say so far I have just been using the dermaplast spray from the hospital and using the water bottle to squirt warm water down south whenever I use the restroom. Resting and I also find that whenever I take a nice warm/hot shower it eases a lot of the pain. Haven't tried a sitz bath yet. Oh and the Ice packs from the hospital at night! Those help too.
I keep telling myself I need to be patient. I didn't realize that a tear would take such a toll on me but it has and time is the ultimate healer.

bbnmama2012 · June 2015

I'm having severe facial swelling 3 days post c-section. It looks like it would be an allergic reaction to something. I was worried it was the pain medicine, but they told me it would have happened at the hospital if it had been the meds.

Did anyone else experience this? My cheeks are huge.

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