I prefer tampons over pads, but I always hate having to insert them. It just freaks me out a bit. Weird story: A friend of mine went on a bachelorette weekend in Vegas and was with a girl who was in her 30s, had two children and never used a tampon because she was afraid. My friend who is also a nurse practitioner inserted one for her so she could wear a thong under her clubbing dress.
@gretchypoo this is how I feel about them too. Might be great for those low-flow days, but I'm weirded out by the idea of them for heavy flow.
@PerraSucia omfg I can't believe I forgot about that horrible-smelling post-partum first week. I think I blocked the memory in order to make myself willing to get pregnant again. Not looking forward to smelling like carrion for a couple of weeks.
Post baby vagina stuff smells REALLY fucking gross. Like not like a period but really terrible so I don't think I'd do cloth the first week. Just because of how often I was changing them. This reminds me I need to buy full butt underwear.
Things like this make me believe I will only have one child.
I heard some people soak their PP pads in witch hazel and freeze them. I told my mom that sounded super weird to me and her eyes got all wide and she said "That is a GREAT idea!"
@gretchypoo if you Google postpartum popsicle pads you'll find that they are a thing!! I think people use other words to describe them too because they are awesome. I never froze any pads, but even in the hospital, they will help you make up a nice thing to go down there. They'll bring you a bag of ice that you can just shove right down there lol. I think the frozen version would be a lot more comfortable though. I have always been given witch hazel pads in the hospital that you can put right on your jumbo maxi pad lol. I think if they offer you the witch hazel, and that spray can of numbing stuff you should take it. With DD they only offered me a pill for pain that I declined, when a new nurse came in on my last day she freaked out when she found out I didn't get offered anything else and she hooked me up before I went home. Lol
I heard some people soak their PP pads in witch hazel and freeze them. I told my mom that sounded super weird to me and her eyes got all wide and she said "That is a GREAT idea!"
Now I'm terrified of PP.
That actually is a great idea!! I forgot about the ice from the nurses. I needed everything possible for the pain down there...
@AfKash I think it might be different for everyone. I bled really heavily, then spotted for weeks. The first week or so I needed the big, puffy diaper pads. Ultra thins were fine for later. So I'd definitely have some massive granny pads on hand, just in case!
Yup, I agree with @tentacular I plan on wearing the big puffy ones for as long as the bleeding is heavy. If you don't want to buy them now, you will probably buy them later anyway. But the hospital (last time I had a baby) had the thick ones and I took all the extra home I could. So if you wait those could temporarily hold you over, but then you'll probably end up having to go out and buy them anyway. I'd rather already have them. @AfKash
@AfKash, agree with above and the puffy ones are best in the beginning. And yes, stock up ahead of time. You don't want to have to send your husband out to find them. Although the conversation I had with my husband on the phone while he was in the feminine hygiene aisle was priceless.
Married - 7/29/06 Ben and Maggie - 4/10/09 Mia - 6/16/11 Surprise! due 2/23/17
@AfKash, agree with above and the puffy ones are best in the beginning. And yes, stock up ahead of time. You don't want to have to send your husband out to find them. Although the conversation I had with my husband on the phone while he was in the feminine hygiene aisle was priceless.
See... what did I say about you and your husband. You are the couple who make people giggle!!
@kswiger06, he is usually pretty quiet, but yeah, we have our moments. I had used mostly cloth before getting pregnant with my daughter and had been pregnant forever it seemed. So, how was I to know that they had changed packaging on what I thought I was asking for. I had a brand, a color, and I got this panicked phone call from the store. Super? Plus? Wings, what are wings!
Married - 7/29/06 Ben and Maggie - 4/10/09 Mia - 6/16/11 Surprise! due 2/23/17
Lol @Partyof6? That's funny. I never dared asking my husband to grab feminine products... he'd probably grab several different packages and bolt just hoping one of them was the right one.
@Gretchypoo the mesh panties are the ugliest things ever, but I wore them as long as I could. They are so comfortable, and breathable. I'm actually looking forward to them. (Under those circumstances) I plan on asking for any extras I can get too.
@kswiger06, he is usually pretty quiet, but yeah, we have our moments. I had used mostly cloth before getting pregnant with my daughter and had been pregnant forever it seemed. So, how was I to know that they had changed packaging on what I thought I was asking for. I had a brand, a color, and I got this panicked phone call from the store. Super? Plus? Wings, what are wings!
LOL. I love that @Partyof6? ! And thank you ladies for your advice! I made a list of everything you mentioned and will have to go shopping at some point. This weekend my nesting instinct kicked in hard now that I start work next week. I will only have the weekends to prepare for baby, so I just got a bunch of stuff taken care of. But there's still so much more. I also took out my winter clothes for the season. One good thing that came out of my fat phase are the larger clothes that I can get away with wearing during pregnancy. I'm still going to need to buy another set of maternity pants, though.
@BumpasaurusRex I think that is so smart! I will have no problems asking parents of kids my daughter will be playing with whether they are gun owners, and if so, if they have a gun safe.
My confession is that I do not allow my kid to have a solo play date at someone's house without me if they are a gun owner.
As a family with guns, I 100% support this decision. I'm actually making H keep his guns in my parent's gun safe until our kids are significantly older just to be safe.
Soo I was busy last night and finished painting the baby room all day today. I sit down for a nice relaxing evening and now all I can think of is bloody maxi pads! Oh the horror. Totally naive here, but I didn't even think about it. I've just been enjoying my period free 6 months
Totally tampons here. Liner on super light days. I'm going to be in for a rude awakening, apparently!
@Gretchypoo the mesh panties are the ugliest things ever, but I wore them as long as I could. They are so comfortable, and breathable. I'm actually looking forward to them. (Under those circumstances) I plan on asking for any extras I can get too
SITB
Freaking 100% this. Those are the best! I even washed them when I got home so I could get more use out of em. They are ridiculously comfortable and feel like they really hold your guts together.
I hated the mesh panties! I guess I'm the only one. I bought a package of full coverage Hanes and that's what I'm doing this time. And yes to the biggest/longest pads you can find.
My confession is that I do not allow my kid to have a solo play date at someone's house without me if they are a gun owner.
How do you bring it up, @BumpasaurusRex? I'd like to have a similar policy but it seems like a tough topic to broach. There are many in our circles who hunt, and I might be ok with a situation where the guns are all in a safe. It's the handgun next to the bed and similar that terrifies me as a future parent.
I hated the mesh panties! I guess I'm the only one. I bought a package of full coverage Hanes and that's what I'm doing this time. And yes to the biggest/longest pads you can find.
Weirdo.. I'm totally kidding, I know a lot of people hate them. I did have a c section though and they really felt like they supported my incision. I realize that was probably in my head though..
My confession is that I do not allow my kid to have a solo play date at someone's house without me if they are a gun owner.
How do you bring it up, @BumpasaurusRex? I'd like to have a similar policy but it seems like a tough topic to broach. There are many in our circles who hunt, and I might be ok with a situation where the guns are all in a safe. It's the handgun next to the bed and similar that terrifies me as a future parent.
I've asked (only happened with two families so far) if they are gun owners but I tried to bring it up casually, like "So I know this is a really awkward thing to ask but do you guys own any guns?"
I was lucky that both received it well and they weren't owners but I dread the day that I have to refuse a play date because they do own guns.
We are gun owners, and we are buying a safe now that Dean is on the way. I don't think a fellow parent would be offended, if you are ok with all guns being locked up. Well, I wouldn't be at least.
About the guns... I think it's Wise to ask about guns just because terrible accidents do happen. And as my husband and I are gun owners, I wouldn't feel offended at all if someone were to ask about it. And we do keep one next to our bed too. My husband has a room (sort of his "man cave" but not really) that no company is allowed in at anytime. It's behind a couple doors and not in the main part of the house, but in this room he has a large safe. All the guns besides one handgun is kept locked in there. It has a number entry of 8 digits and I sometimes can't remember lol. Then our bedroom is always off limits too, but the gun we keep upstairs is in a small bedside safe that only we know the proper code to get in. I think gun safety is the most important thing about owning guns. I actually hate guns, but my husband loves them and they are growing on me. If anyone were to ask about them, I'd even be willing to show them proof just to give them peace of mind. I think it's a reasonable concern to have if you plan on allowing kids go to a different house.
Also possibly a confession I never let my kids go to someone else's house for a playdate if I can attend as well.
Edit... that should say if I can't attend as well... I want to be there.
The mesh panties are awesome. I actually had some stashed that I had stolen from the hospital that I found recently with maternity clothes. That's more advice, take everything they give you from the hospital everyday and stash it!
Married - 7/29/06 Ben and Maggie - 4/10/09 Mia - 6/16/11 Surprise! due 2/23/17
@BumpasaurusRex brings up a good point about guns being in the home. All of our weapons are locked up seperate from the ammo (also locked up) and we certainly don't advertise that we have them in the house because it's no one's business. But that being said, it wouldn't offend me one bit if someone were to inquire on behalf of their child's safety! I don't even trust other people to take the same precautions as we do so and have zero problems being blunt about it either
Definitely asking for extra hospital panties and pads. The witch hazel/Popsicle pads are terrific. Your lady bits are super swollen afterwards, and they are great. Also good to take home: the squirt bottle they give you (I'd fill with warm sink water to clean after using the bathroom). Also, buy a tub of witch hazel pads or Tucks for wiping. Hemorrhoids, stitches, swelling, nasty smell -- these help with all the lovelies.
They give you that sitz bath thing too (or at least I got one) but I never could figure the darn thing out, but that peri (?) Bottle was amazing. I kept it in the diaper bag while we were out so I could always have it. That thing is a lifesaver when you have stitches!!
+1 gun owner who would understand if that's a deal breaker. I own several, H owns several as well. Shooting is a big aspect in our lives and going to the range is something we bond over, but I totally understand. You are mother, it's your prerogative to know and decide what's right for your child. Wouldn't be offended at all, I think most responsible gun owners would take the same stance.
Re: FFFC!! 10/21
@PerraSucia omfg I can't believe I forgot about that horrible-smelling post-partum first week. I think I blocked the memory in order to make myself willing to get pregnant again. Not looking forward to smelling like carrion for a couple of weeks.
Now I'm terrified of PP.
@perrasucia I do not remember a smell at all and now I'm worried I smelt terrible and didn't know. So thank you. Haha
Fun fact: I got a mild diaper rash from those gigantic post partum pads. #momlife
Ben and Maggie - 4/10/09
Mia - 6/16/11
Surprise! due 2/23/17
Ben and Maggie - 4/10/09
Mia - 6/16/11
Surprise! due 2/23/17
And thank you ladies for your advice! I made a list of everything you mentioned and will have to go shopping at some point.
This weekend my nesting instinct kicked in hard now that I start work next week. I will only have the weekends to prepare for baby, so I just got a bunch of stuff taken care of. But there's still so much more. I also took out my winter clothes for the season. One good thing that came out of my fat phase are the larger clothes that I can get away with wearing during pregnancy. I'm still going to need to buy another set of maternity pants, though.
My confession is that I do not allow my kid to have a solo play date at someone's house without me if they are a gun owner.
Big Bro 7/14/13
Little Bro 2/6/17
Totally tampons here. Liner on super light days. I'm going to be in for a rude awakening, apparently!
I was lucky that both received it well and they weren't owners but I dread the day that I have to refuse a play date because they do own guns.
Big Bro 7/14/13
Little Bro 2/6/17
We are gun owners, and we are buying a safe now that Dean is on the way. I don't think a fellow parent would be offended, if you are ok with all guns being locked up. Well, I wouldn't be at least.
Also possibly a confession I never let my kids go to someone else's house for a playdate if I can attend as well.
Edit... that should say if I can't attend as well... I want to be there.
Ben and Maggie - 4/10/09
Mia - 6/16/11
Surprise! due 2/23/17