I see all these "advice for FTM" threads that are for specific things and I know PP is somewhat brought up in those discussions but let's have one only for PP .
What's some advice STMs can give us FTMs on Postpartum and what to expect and how to go about it ?
*Advice on pp care , pp body image , PPD , bleeding/periods , pains , sex , and all the things no one tells us about that we should know... :-?
Re: Advice for FTM about PP.
You're going to bleed more than you ever have in your life.
That first shower after delivery will feel like the closest thing to heaven. No joke. You come out feeling like a new woman.
Tucks pads? Well you guys have heard me talk about those. Life. Savers. I barely tore but man...after that epi wore off I felt ever bit of it. The tucks pads felt wonderful
I know a lot of women who end up with Irish twins due to PP sex, remember birth control if this isn't what you want. Oh and plenty of lube makes it all much better.
So just be aware that you should accept some help.. Or accept the fact that your house will never resemble a museum piece ever again once that baby arrives lol Because I swear I was killing myself trying!
I struggled to see that I was suffering from it because I didn't know how I 'should' feel. Like I didn't know what was normal any more. My advice on that is that if, after a few months, you still just don't feel 'right', or you're still crying all the time, then seek help.
If you don't have anyone close to you that could help, then see a doctor to refer you on to a counsellor or ask your hospital if there is a counselling service near you that doesn't require a referral. There's lots of good web resources and books too if you aren't up to talking to an actual human being
If you get an epidural, your back will have random pains at times here and there for a few months. It was no big deal to me tho.
It's ok to cry in those first few days lol. I cried over everything. DH was worried I was getting PPD, but I wasn't sad or depressed.. I just cried! It was like I was still pregnant and I cried because there was an orange on the table . My doctor said it was just my body having "withdrawal", your hormone levels drop so much after birth that it's like cold turkey for your body. So you are pretty much just as emotional as you were if you were pregnant. I was fine after a couple decent nights rest and about a week PP. however if you feel sad or blue for more than a few weeks, I'd say it warrants a call!
You will also itch a lot down there in the few weeks pp, as things heal. I kept thinking I had an infection without any other signs. Nope.. Just normal as it heals
https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12576547/postpartum-preparedness-ama-trigger-tmi-warnings/p1
Also the peri bottle is your best friend for the next month, cherish it!
On the other hand, I didn't have a horrible first poop after birth, so who knows what your experience will be like!
Take all the pads, dermoplast, Peri bottles, etc in your hospital room because they will charge you anyway.
Stock up on breast pads- you will be wearing them 24/7.
I don't remember exactly, but I think I bled for a couple weeks, the first week being the heaviest tapering off to a normal period. I think everyone differs here. I didn't get a period again for about 6 months despite nursing. Some won't see it again until months after stopping nursing.
Once you are cleared by your OB, you may want to try out a Diva Cup or similar product. Way better than tampons IMO and completely changed how I handle my period. It's too bad we can't use them for PP bleeding. I would never have considered one pre-baby, but I am way more in tune with my body post baby.
Try not to focus on this, or worry about how quickly things spring back after the baby is born...you have a beautiful baby on the way and probably lots to do to prepare for it, and you'll be very busy caring for baby once he or she is born... these things are so much more important than speculating how sex will feel in future, when you might be worrying about nothing.