Post partum care

Erinka · January 2016

This is especially for you STM+... How should we prep for post partum care? What to expect and what items to have on hand? Thanks!

Latina211508 · January 2016

Most of the items I personally used for post partum care I received at the hospital. The squirt bottle-after my first baby it burned when I peed so squirting warm water everytime I went pee was very relieving. I think they are called witch hazel pads (white circle cool pads). Ice packs from the hospital. Stretchy comfortable underwear, which I personally used the ones from the hospital the first few days. Pads, I bought my own personal pads (always). Nursing pads, I leaked like crazy and produced so much. I bought some from Walmart. Breast pump, even though I EBF I produced so much after every baby I still needed to pump. Hemorrhoid cream (tucks) after my first baby I got really bad hemorrhoids and I also bought epsalt for baths. I received a little nipple cream from the hospital but still bought my own (lansinoh). I bought many sports bras and bra tanks. So comfortable and especially at home I did not want to wear a bra. Comfy pajamas and a robe. I never wore a girdle or anything for my belly after my babies but I've been reading a lot of moms are getting some. That's all I can think of at the moment

oh I had 3 vaginal deliveries.

dtaded13 · January 2016

I agree with pp. Pads, nursing pads, underwear, comfy clothes, hemorrhoid ointment. The OTC kind didn't actually work well for me last time so I called my ob and he called in a prescription for it.

emc3576 · January 2016

Definitely not what you want to hear, but take a stool softener to the hospital and start taking it right after birth. That first one is going to hurt and this will help a LOT.

Kiek · January 2016

Giant Pads, giant panties, squirt bottle, stool softener, sports bras, nursing pads, Epsom salt

rachrobertson · January 2016

I agree with PP and want to add dermoplast. I got some from my hospital but bought more, it is in the first aid aisle for about $5. My daughter did some decent damage and they also gave me some epifoam, but that was a script that I just got one of from the hospital.

Kiek · January 2016

Oh yes!!! ^^^ dermoplast is so awesome!

Karen249 · January 2016

I agree with everyone's suggestions. I would say to make some padsicles (the giant, thick, super sexy kind lol) ahead of time and tuck them away in freezer. Those were a life savor.

I can't say I've heard of dermoplast before (must live under a rock), but I will def be buying some now. Thanks for the suggestion!

meg+on+the+DL · January 2016

FTM... but I found these and it may save my life. They are ice packs specifically down there. They are gel, so when you freeze them, they don't get hard just nice and cool. They come with 6 sleeves that you can just hand wash and reuse.

Also, as far as the Prep H cream... I would use the cooling gel. I've heard that feels way better than the cream.

Just my two cents. I can't believe we are getting this close to be talking about this!

thisusername · January 2016

rachrobertson said:
I agree with PP and want to add dermoplast. I got some from my hospital but bought more, it is in the first aid aisle for about $5. My daughter did some decent damage and they also gave me some epifoam, but that was a script that I just got one of from the hospital.

What is dermoplast?

thisusername · January 2016

Thanks OP for starting this thread! I guess I'm not as ready as I thought I was! Time to go shopping.

SgtLou2 · January 2016

This may sound sketchy, but when the hospital stocks your supplies, take some and immediately pack it in your go home bag. They will restock again and take some of that and immediately pack some up. When you check out of the hospital, take whatever remains. Once it's open and in your room, they can't give it to anyone else. I still have a few ice packs and pads from last time. The only thing that I had to buy for myself was some Kotex pads of various absorpancy as the flow started to subside and I no longer needed the hospital pads. And best things from the hospital: dermoplast, witch hazel pads, hoo-ha ice packs, and the spray bottle.

Aussiechicka · January 2016

I just did my Amazon order last week for all this stuff.I bought a extra squirt bottle this time round as we have two bathrooms, some tucks, dermoplast etc.I also did similar to what @SgtLou2 did and took the supplies and put them in my bag, including a couple of the liner things they leave in your room to put on chairs etc to prevent you from bleeding everywhere - perfect for couches at home! As soon as it's in your room you are billed for it so may as well use it!

SgtLou2 · January 2016

@Aussiechicka yes, the "piddle pads" as I called them!! I just pulled a few of those out of my remaining stash from last time to have in my car if my water breaks while I'm out somewhere

g8trkim · January 2016

Some things you will get from the hospital: peri bottle, mesh undies (I love those), Tucks, Dermoplast, and large maxi pads. You will need more Tucks and pads though, and possibly hemorrhoid ointment. Good question! This is the stuff nobody seems to tell you. I remember being like "Whaaaattt?" when the nurses were explaining everything.

paytonpedro · January 2016

This is all so helpful! @Erinka thanks for asking this question! This is the only thing I have left to prepare for before baby comes. I'm more scared/nerveous about postnatal vagina care, etc., than labor and birth itself!!!

g8trkim · January 2016

Also, I heard good things about this stuff and bought a bottle. Curious to see if it helps.

https://earthmamaangelbaby.com/products/new-mama-bottom-spray

g0lightly8706 · January 2016

wow.. the things they don't tell you about birth.. all the after care crap we have to go thru to make our girly parts feel better! so glad this thread was posted, thanks all posters for the advice!

g8trkim · January 2016

SgtLou2 said:

This may sound sketchy, but when the hospital stocks your supplies, take some and immediately pack it in your go home bag. They will restock again and take some of that and immediately pack some up. When you check out of the hospital, take whatever remains. Once it's open and in your room, they can't give it to anyone else. I still have a few ice packs and pads from last time. The only thing that I had to buy for myself was some Kotex pads of various absorpancy as the flow started to subside and I no longer needed the hospital pads. And best things from the hospital: dermoplast, witch hazel pads, hoo-ha ice packs, and the spray bottle.

All of this! I took everything! The nurses encouraged it and even got bags and started stuffing them full of supplies. Once it's out they can't use it for other patients.

egraves4 · January 2016

I love all of this! We are bringing a separate duffel bag to the hospital that will remain empty to stuff with hospital goodies (I mean, hospital rooms are friggen expennsive). Is there anyone (FTM) that is just planning on winging it as far as all of this? I'm not sure how my body will react to labor and it seems like the hospital will be giving me a lot of the stuff. I was just planning on buying any post-partum care things as I see fit.

thisusername · January 2016

egraves4 said:
I love all of this! We are bringing a separate duffel bag to the hospital that will remain empty to stuff with hospital goodies (I mean, hospital rooms are friggen expennsive). Is there anyone (FTM) that is just planning on winging it as far as all of this? I'm not sure how my body will react to labor and it seems like the hospital will be giving me a lot of the stuff. I was just planning on buying any post-partum care things as I see fit.

I WAS going to go to the store, but I think I am waiting until I actually know what I need. Our hospital gives us "goody bags" so if I can get it free, I'd rather get it free. (Plus I don't want to go to the store)

lilqt3929 · January 2016

egraves4 said:
I love all of this! We are bringing a separate duffel bag to the hospital that will remain empty to stuff with hospital goodies (I mean, hospital rooms are friggen expennsive). Is there anyone (FTM) that is just planning on winging it as far as all of this? I'm not sure how my body will react to labor and it seems like the hospital will be giving me a lot of the stuff. I was just planning on buying any post-partum care things as I see fit.

I'm a STM but the 1st time around the only thing I made sure to have on hand were some pads that I preferred, bleeding is inevitable no matter how you deliver. I got everything else that I needed from the hospital (except they didn't give me any tucks pads and I purchased another peri bottle to keep in the diaper bag for when we were out and about (even visiting grandparents or the doctors) because I was super scared to wipe for quite awhile due to tears. I actually still have a bag full of hospital pads, mesh undies, freeze pads, and dermoplast from my first delivery that I need to make sure nothing has expired yet. Luckily my H wouldn't bat an eye if I had to send him out to pick up pads or sleep bras (this I did do) after we're home from the hospital. As long as you have someone you can rely on to pick up whatever you may need afterwards you should be ok winging it, I'd say.

Cheryl Renee · January 2016

Pads! Even though I had a csection, i needed pads. I used hospital ones and when i got home swapped to kotex in different absorbencies.

mcklough · January 2016

FTM here- other than pads I'm in the "winging it" department because I can send DH around the corner to CVS when we need something and I'd rather not buy too much and the hospital is going to be giving us stuff and I don't know how much.

RissKay · January 2016

Numbing spray from Walgreens.
Always Infinity pads with wings.
Witch hazel and tucks pads.
Granny panties. Or at least thick ones you feel secure in.
A huuuuuge cup for water. You'll need to drink like it's going out of style for breastfeeding.
Gas relief pills/whatever.

Pro Tip: Spray the numbing spray (obviously, only really needed while super sore and longer if you tore at all) then put witch hazel and tucks pads on the Infinity pad, and wear.

SoSweetTea1124 · January 2016

I traded in the pads for adult diapers.... they worked amazingly well and I didn't have to worry about leaking. Also, a good stool softener I had my H pick up the same thing the hospital gave me (Sena) which is an herbal supplement and it worked great! Take it for about 3 months PP.

Life is Exciting · January 2016

I'm definitely going to try to steal some extra mesh undies from the hospital this time. I found myself wearing them for several weeks after my C-section because all other underwear rubbed my scar in a really painful way.

If you know you're getting a C-section, buy a few loose-fitting granny panties that go up to your belly button. You'll feel silly buying them but regular underwear hurt like crazy because they tend to come right up to that scar. And, it's not like you have to look sexy for anyone in the first few weeks anyways.

robinj716 · January 2016

I'm kind of winging it. I did buy some always overnight pads as well as their new disposable underwear- I'm assuming they're like depends, maybe less thick? I bought a pair of pajama pants and some big granny panties. I plan to stuff my bag full of the things the hospital gives you, and ask for more at shift changes! I did buy some tucks and some chap stick, as well as some travel shampoo and body wash, just in case I feel up to showering. Other than that, I'm just going to go with the flow and if I need anything afterwards, I can always have SO stop at the store or order it online.

Yiggle09 · January 2016

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BLE60T4?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KBDSMQA?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00

Dermoplast- will be good for after sex pp as well if its a little raw still, thick always pads from costco, squirt bottle, tucks/witch hazel pads. I just had my lo in august and let me tell you the pads are not just for blood, I had terrible time holding my urine and still do but its much better than right after baby. The always pads helped with my bad bladder control. Take everything from the hospital, if they give you pumping supplies take them, take the tubing from the machine, the vials and bottles they give you to collect the milk. Steal from every shift, find a sympathetic nurse who will bring some for you to steal specifically. Take every pacifier they give you, my lo came home with 6 paci because every time they watched him over night or something new pacis would end up in the bassinet. take the wipes, diapers and even though they said not to take the linen I took 3 little baby blankets all the hospitals have. We left with so many bags my husband took two trips to the car!

VitaLuna · January 2016

egraves4 said:
Is there anyone (FTM) that is just planning on winging it as far as all of this? I'm not sure how my body will react to labor and it seems like the hospital will be giving me a lot of the stuff. I was just planning on buying any post-partum care things as I see fit.

I'm a STM, and I'll mostly be winging it. I didn't have much prepped last time, either. I ended up having a c/s (not planned) and it would've been a waste to buy a lot of the peri care stuff. I'm hoping for a VBAC, but my husband or mom can make a pharmacy run if that's the case and I need something.

What I DO have stocked are granny panties and pads... Because like hell my husband is going to be able to walk down the pad aisle and figure out which one to get, even if I tell him. Heck, even I have trouble finding the one I want and I know exactly what I'm looking for! (Always Infinity, all the way!)

VitaLuna · January 2016

I'll add that even if you're having a c/s, stock up on the dang pads. I bled for 6-7w after my section.

Shortcircuit1984 · January 2016

I bought postpartum perineal cold packs from Amazon because I heard they are good... I ordered a case of 25 because it was the smallest quantity I could find it in and I thought it'd come in a pack about the size of a box of maxi pads... I was very very wrong. I now have a huuuge box of these huuuge pads in my closet. Ooops! I wish I knew about Tucks earlier-- but hopefully these will be worth it. Anyone use these before?

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/gl/rklat6qtrcht.jpg

VitaLuna · January 2016

@Shortcircuit1984 I haven't used them (c/s), but those are the same ones the hospital handed out, so they must be decent.

You can also make "padsicles" (freeze water and/or a water and witch hazel combo on a maxi pad), or make diaper ice packs (cut a slit in the crotch part of a baby diaper, near the waist band, and fill it with ice).

RissKay · January 2016

^ Those were fantastic, and I loved using them. SOOOO much. But use them pretty much when you're planning on just sitting a while otherwise they're super awkward.

So many people are posting that they're going to mostly just take stuff the hospital gives.

DON'T PLAN ON IT.

With DS1, sure, I was able to get some things, but they were super stingy about it and most of the other moms I know who had kids around the same time found the same to be true of their hospitals. So yeah, grab what you can, but seriously, if I'd planned on using what the hospital gave me, I would've come home with just a mesh pair of panties and 2 cold packs. (And I would go and take the stuff out of the bathroom after they'd stock it, but then they wouldn't replenish it.

)

meg+on+the+DL · January 2016

I just bought these at a local maternity store. They can be heated or frozen, whichever you prefer. They come with 6 sleeves that can be washed and reused.

www.amazon.com/TendHer-Perineal-Sleeves-Postpartum-Hemorrhoid/dp/B00LAM95EY

kde4 · January 2016

I agree with all of the healing supplies mentioned earlier. The only think I'd add is that I wish I had packed food! I focused on packing all of the physical healing supplies except for snacks. I underestimated how hungry I would be after having the babies. The last thing you want to do postpartum is hunt down food. Good luck, mamas!

DrillSergeantCat · January 2016

Shortcircuit1984 said:
I bought postpartum perineal cold packs from Amazon because I heard they are good... I ordered a case of 25 because it was the smallest quantity I could find it in and I thought it'd come in a pack about the size of a box of maxi pads... I was very very wrong. I now have a huuuge box of these huuuge pads in my closet. Ooops! I wish I knew about Tucks earlier-- but hopefully these will be worth it. Anyone use these before?

My fiancé (I love saying that) works for Medline so he gets a huge discount on those. He brought some home not knowing what they were for and I'll be having him get some more.

mcklough · January 2016

DrillSergeantCat said:

I bought postpartum perineal cold packs from Amazon because I heard they are good... I ordered a case of 25 because it was the smallest quantity I could find it in and I thought it'd come in a pack about the size of a box of maxi pads... I was very very wrong. I now have a huuuge box of these huuuge pads in my closet. Ooops! I wish I knew about Tucks earlier-- but hopefully these will be worth it. Anyone use these before?
My fiancé (I love saying that) works for Medline so he gets a huge discount on those. He brought some home not knowing what they were for and I'll be having him get some more.

did you get engaged?!?? I didn't see a post- if you are trying not to AW I personally think that's deserving and that you should post one and give us the details (if you are comfortable of course)!!!!!!

DrillSergeantCat · January 2016

mcklough said:
did you get engaged?!?? I didn't see a post- if you are trying not to AW I personally think that's deserving and that you should post one and give us the details (if you are comfortable of course)!!!!!!

I did! He proposed Christmas morning. I have no idea what he said because I was so excited, but it turns out that he asked my mom and my son for their permission first.

mcklough · January 2016

DrillSergeantCat said:

mcklough said:
did you get engaged?!?? I didn't see a post- if you are trying not to AW I personally think that's deserving and that you should post one and give us the details (if you are comfortable of course)!!!!!!

I did! He proposed Christmas morning. I have no idea what he said because I was so excited, but it turns out that he asked my mom and my son for their permission first.

that's awesome!!! so happy for your whole family!

rachrobertson · January 2016

thisusername said:

rachrobertson said:
I agree with PP and want to add dermoplast. I got some from my hospital but bought more, it is in the first aid aisle for about $5. My daughter did some decent damage and they also gave me some epifoam, but that was a script that I just got one of from the hospital.
What is dermoplast?

Sorry, just looked back at this board. Dermoplast is something I had never heard of before I had my daughter. It is for cuts and scrapes and I think it has some menthol in it, so it has a cooling effect. It is in an aerosol can in the first aid aisle. It was one of my BFF after delivery.

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