I had chills too. I wasn’t sure if it was the hormones or sleep depervation! I did take the mesh undies and large pads but only wore them for two nights. I had some large clots come out so they were needed to catch those. I bled for a few weeks but I pad worked just fine and was more comfortable. I think the peri bottle was best thing a took from the hospital. I had trouble peeing after birth. Apparently your organs shift around. But once I sprayed the warm water, things started flowing.
runsomewhere & acunamatada I told
DH he better have an ice cold dirty martini and bottle of his homemade wine in
the hospital room after I push this baby out haha I guess our hospital has a no alcohol policy but we can sneak it in within our water bottles
Thanks for all the info ladies this is great!
One random question maybe be TMI but- I’ve never had super
heavy periods, as I’ve been on BC a majority of my life- after birth how often
are you changing your pads/mesh undies? I guess I’m horrified because I’ve
never had to experience excessive bleeding.
@babygagnon2018 i don’t remember but maybe about every 3 hrs but it wasn’t like that all 5 wks. It’s heavy maybe the first week but then it slowly decreases.
@babygagnon2018 I also have always had light to no periods depending on the type of BC I was on. My bleeding PP wasn't too horrible and I was in thin pads within days. I did change it each time I went to the bathroom because it was nasty to me (I've never worn pads other than PP) also it's not just blood, it's lochia which is blood and a bunch of other junk lol.
@babygagnon2018 I won a bottle of Grey Goose vodka at a holiday liquor exchange during Christmas. There's a sticky note on it to 'do not touch until baby comes' DH says he'll have a dirty martini waiting for me too! hahaha
TTC History:
Me: 36 H: 40 Married 2015. Together since 2010. TTC: Sept 2016-Oct 2017 BFP Oct 2017. DD born July 2018. TTC: March 2020. BFP March 2020 Due date was Nov 2020 DS born Sept 2020. DS passed away Nov 2020 due to prematurity and birth trauma. TTC: March 2021 IUI #1 Nov 2021, BFN IUI #2 Dec 2021 BFP. MC Jan 2022 IUI #3 Aug 2022 BFN IUI #4 Sept 2022 BFN AMH test came back at .081. Was going to move on to IVF with DE, but have decided not to. Will be leaving it up to the universe now.
@babygagnon2018 I would change pads every time I went to the bathroom. I figured it was worth the cost of all those pads to keep things feeling fresher down there. It definitely isn’t just blood and it smells funky so I wanted most of it out of there ASAP
@and846 I didn't know about PP bleeding and spotting until late in my pregnancy with DD1 and I feel like mine just lasted forever. It's like your body is making up for 9 months of no periods. It's just such an annoyance to have to deal with on top of also managing a newborn (and maybe also other kids).
Thanks @wildtot@runsomewhere@hillbillywife – I’ve never been a pad person
either and have OCD when it comes to being “clean” down there. Lochia- hmmm ill have to google that, never
heard of it but sounds lovely haha.
I like to get waxed regularly leading up to my due date... hurts like a mofo but I find it really helps me to feel a little cleaner down there dealing with all the PP bleeding... I'm so not a pad girl so it's like torture to wear them for so long. Also before you stock up, lots of girls on past boards have complained about the always infinity brand becoming irritating after a while... so if things are getting uncomfortable try switching brands.
@KatyF0813 I was just talking to my husband about that because I missed a couple of appointments and used the cream a couple of times -really cannot do razors down there. I plan to was before babymoon and definitely closer to due date, I know it's been hurting me more while prego but gotta do what you gotta do! I was just telling DH it's the only option since it's getting harder to reach down there...
Has anyone tried the diy pp pads where you put a mixture of aloe Vera, witch hazel and a few other things on the pad then put in the freezer? If so, are they worth making?
@zombiehoohaa@kissableviv I made these and must have done it wrong because I remember them melting and just being SO WET. But that didn't happen with the frozen diaper-sicles they had at the hospital, so I know I did something incorrectly.
@zombiehoohaa I also never tried the icicle pads because I just really didn't want to sit on a hard frozen log all day. The dermoblast numbing spray worked really well for me as my stitched up tear healed. I also hate large thick pads in genera (sitting on a log) so I always opted for the thin overnights with wings and just changed every time I went to the bathroom. I really dislike periods in general so the PP bleeding is like the worst part for me, especially since I'm stuck with the nasty leaky pads.
I’m the hospital for me they just ripped open a newborn diaper and filled it with ice. It definitely feels good and it didn’t really get *wet* when it melted but it did feel soggy so I only used them for a couple days.
KatyF0813 I was
thinking of waxing 2 weeks prior to my due date- petrified of the pain
though. I can barely see down there now
as it is, so I cant even imagine at 30+ weeks
definitely use stool softener. Get really comfy clothes. Especially with a C-Section having loose banded pants helped a ton! Bamboobies resusable nursing pads were wonderful because they were so soft on my sore nips. Also the warm cold breast packs were amazing. All for the mesh undies or buying a pack of sized up cotton loose underwear was helpful too. I also really liked one of the back support pillows with arms for sitting in bed or lounging on the couch it was great to have a little extra support for nursing and healing.
For me the first time I was out of bed I remember feeling like I could not walk anymore but try to get and move often. The more you walk and move the easier it gets. Be really open about how you are feeling and what you need. If you feel overwhelmed or emotional share that! I made the mistake of trying to power through and I so regret not seeking help and assistance earlier. Definitely shave with a new razor or get waxed before having an unexpected c section I didn't have to have them shave for me and it definitely made recovery with stitches a little easier. Have some freezer meals premade. This was really helpful in the few weeks following delivery.
I know that everyone's experience is different but even as a STM the above stuff is intimidating! I'm like yikes am I forgetting how bad recovery was?
So I just want to say that it's not necessarily life stopping bad. I gave birth on a Thursday night, we went home late Saturday morning. Sunday afternoon DH and I took a walk with DD to a local Mexican place to enjoy lunch on the patio. Now my undercarriage was not feeling 100% during the short walk but I was fine and I remember being so so happy to be out as a new family of 3.
Again, I had a relatively uncomplicated delivery and I know that it's different for every woman/every birth I just want to put this out there so it doesn't seem like PP recovery is always this debilitating, horrible thing.
@acunamatada haha. Well newborn diapers aren’t much bigger than a pad anyways and my hospital has like pea ice machines (I think that’s what they’re called) so it wasn’t like sharp or anything. They were def more comfortable sitting down walking around with one (especially a melted one) felt like walking with a wet diaper between your legs lol. Figures, right?
@runsomewhere when my sister had her first she kept saying "why didn't anyone warn me??" And basically PP recovery was the worst thing ever for her, worse than pregnancy and delivery. So she made it a point to "prepare" me. I guess she just felt really blindsided. I on the other hand had a tough pregnancy, with hypertension and excessive swelling and carpal tunnel to the point I could not hold a pen, but PP wasn't horrible for me. Yeah the stitches hurt, but I too was out taking walks with the stroller the day after we came home from the hospital. Emotionally is another story but physically it wasn't as bad as my sister built it up to be. I think it's good to be prepared either way though, everyone reacts differently - and I'm sure even from one pregnancy to the next it can change. It's like when there's a really bad storm coming - prepare for the worst but hope for the best
@zande2016 I for sure agree about being warned and prepared. PP recovery does suck I just wanted to point out that it's not necessarily totally horrid and that life goes on during recovery
Totally agreed with prepare for the worst and hope for the best! It's like birth, for some people it's horrible and for other it works out just fine. I am trying to have a positive outlook but at least inform myself on things that may or may not happen as all the bleeding for example may be scary at first!
@zande2016@runsomewhere my PP recovery wasn't the worst, but one thing that surprised me was the weird amount of room inside my body when I went to yell for my dogs. All the organs were shifted back down or something and I went to yell and my lungs had so much room to expand that I could actually feel a difference. I remember stopping and being like, "What is wrong? Why does this feel so weird?" When i went back for DS's day 2 check up they told me it was all the newfound room in my body since the baby was gone.
@wildtot which belly bandit did you use? I'm trying to figure out what would be a good option and saw there were lots of different styles even in their pp stuff. No idea how to how about getting a good one!
Here it is! Bump. What's everyone/anyone doing that is new as deliveries creep up on us? Those of you who have birthed...what do you wish you had/are you loving?
I had my doula appointment yesterday. So we talked a little bit about pp. They suggested making the "padsicles" ugh, such a terrible name, and I know some of you said that they melt and get wet but I may give them a try.
Open a pad, pour witch hazel, some pure aloe, close up and freeze. For those living where there's a Sprouts grocery store, their brand of aloe is only $5 and it's 100% pure with no crap. Witch Hazel is expensive ($10/bottle), make sure you get it without alcohol.
I am also prepping a sitz bath mix:lavender oil, Epsom salts, frankincense, witch hazel, aloe. I'll store in a mason jar.
I'm not sure about tucks. I may just start with cotton and warm water and go from there.
I have my underwear ready and I also put some depends in my Amazon cart (my "save for later") grows every day...).
Interestingly enough my doulas hate lanolin. They say babies don't seem to like it in their experience? It's all the rage now...for nipple soreness, they suggested the Earth mama balm. And of course coconut oil, because crunchy people. Lol. I have 2 tubes of lanolin (small ones) and I'll get the Earth mama and see what works best.
Also got some standard pads from 7th generation for when the bleeding is not super intense. I actually had a rash last time I use Always pads last year, usually use tampons but I had ran out, so I figured I tried one on these "free and clear" options and see how I like them.
Oh, and I was also recommended warm compresses with water and salt for sore nipples. Doula told me that is something cheap and always available that gives a lot of relief.
In my experience the sitz bath isn’t really necessary for vaginal soothing unless your tear is really bad or you had an episiotomy. Tucks pads and dermoplast numbing spray were completely sufficient for my vagina. Anal fissures on the other hand...100% the worst pain on my life and when that started happening the sitz bath was the only thing that helped. I’m sure everyone is different though and it’s nice to be prepared. Surprisingly my H to look in 5 different pharmacies to find a sitz bath and I just remembered I better make sure we still have it, or order a new one if we don’t. I honestly didn’t find I needed much nipple cream...a little in the beginning. But that could be because I had to use nipple shields and that cut down on nipple irritation (I don’t recommend them for that purpose, I recommend avoiding them if possible, but my son had a tongue tie and couldn’t latch without them)
@kissableviv i hated lanolin! It was sticky and it stained my bras. DS didn’t like it either. I have some left over of the honest brand but i had a friend recommended Motherlove.
I plan on doing the sitz bath in the tub. I think in case my tear isn't bad or I don't tear at all, the mix of Epsom salt and oils will still be useful for some rare r&r in the tub, especially when my mom is here! My doulas tend to discourage using too much dermaplast because it numbs you so you may not be able to tell if you're healing if you're using it all the time but I think they give you that at the hospital so I haven't bought it yet.
@SmashJam I also have a small jar of the diaper /butt cream and more in my cart in case we like it! @wildtot I was given a small tub of the motherlove nipple cream and heard great things about it too.
Oh, and we got the bidet insert installed and it's seriously life changing after pooping (sorry for the TMI). Only bummer is that the water is cold but it feels amazing now! Best $35 investment and DH is digging it too.
@kissableviv can you post a link to the bidet insert that you bought? Because DH is really into this idea and wants to know the specific $30 model you are having success with, lol.
Re: Product Spotlight: Post Partum Essentials 4/2
I feel feel like my brain isn’t keeping up with the conversations very well these days lol.
runsomewhere & acunamatada I told DH he better have an ice cold dirty martini and bottle of his homemade wine in the hospital room after I push this baby out haha I guess our hospital has a no alcohol policy but we can sneak it in within our water bottles
Thanks for all the info ladies this is great!
One random question maybe be TMI but- I’ve never had super heavy periods, as I’ve been on BC a majority of my life- after birth how often are you changing your pads/mesh undies? I guess I’m horrified because I’ve never had to experience excessive bleeding.
TTC: Sept 2016-Oct 2017
BFP Oct 2017. DD born July 2018.
TTC: March 2020. BFP March 2020
Due date was Nov 2020
DS born Sept 2020. DS passed away Nov 2020 due to prematurity and birth trauma.
TTC: March 2021
IUI #1 Nov 2021, BFN
IUI #2 Dec 2021 BFP. MC Jan 2022
IUI #3 Aug 2022 BFN
IUI #4 Sept 2022 BFN
AMH test came back at .081. Was going to move on to IVF with DE, but have decided not to. Will be leaving it up to the universe now.
Thanks @wildtot @runsomewhere @hillbillywife – I’ve never been a pad person either and have OCD when it comes to being “clean” down there. Lochia- hmmm ill have to google that, never heard of it but sounds lovely haha.
@rachelsgo I legit cant waitttt with extra olives
Edit: words
I also hate large thick pads in genera (sitting on a log) so I always opted for the thin overnights with wings and just changed every time I went to the bathroom. I really dislike periods in general so the PP bleeding is like the worst part for me, especially since I'm stuck with the nasty leaky pads.
@hillbillywife how did you sit on an icy diaper? That sounds even more uncomfortable!
KatyF0813 I was thinking of waxing 2 weeks prior to my due date- petrified of the pain though. I can barely see down there now as it is, so I cant even imagine at 30+ weeks
For me the first time I was out of bed I remember feeling like I could not walk anymore but try to get and move often. The more you walk and move the easier it gets. Be really open about how you are feeling and what you need. If you feel overwhelmed or emotional share that! I made the mistake of trying to power through and I so regret not seeking help and assistance earlier. Definitely shave with a new razor or get waxed before having an unexpected c section I didn't have to have them shave for me and it definitely made recovery with stitches a little easier. Have some freezer meals premade. This was really helpful in the few weeks following delivery.
So I just want to say that it's not necessarily life stopping bad. I gave birth on a Thursday night, we went home late Saturday morning. Sunday afternoon DH and I took a walk with DD to a local Mexican place to enjoy lunch on the patio. Now my undercarriage was not feeling 100% during the short walk but I was fine and I remember being so so happy to be out as a new family of 3.
Again, I had a relatively uncomplicated delivery and I know that it's different for every woman/every birth I just want to put this out there so it doesn't seem like PP recovery is always this debilitating, horrible thing.
This time around I’m looking at something more like this
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EVGLMM8/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01EVGLMM8&linkCode=as2&tag=momming-20&linkId=9c192bb2881193ecb0cc3cba802cb926
They suggested making the "padsicles" ugh, such a terrible name, and I know some of you said that they melt and get wet but I may give them a try.
Open a pad, pour witch hazel, some pure aloe, close up and freeze. For those living where there's a Sprouts grocery store, their brand of aloe is only $5 and it's 100% pure with no crap. Witch Hazel is expensive ($10/bottle), make sure you get it without alcohol.
I am also prepping a sitz bath mix:lavender oil, Epsom salts, frankincense, witch hazel, aloe. I'll store in a mason jar.
I'm not sure about tucks. I may just start with cotton and warm water and go from there.
I have my underwear ready and I also put some depends in my Amazon cart (my "save for later") grows every day...).
Interestingly enough my doulas hate lanolin. They say babies don't seem to like it in their experience? It's all the rage now...for nipple soreness, they suggested the Earth mama balm. And of course coconut oil, because crunchy people. Lol. I have 2 tubes of lanolin (small ones) and I'll get the Earth mama and see what works best.
Also got some standard pads from 7th generation for when the bleeding is not super intense. I actually had a rash last time I use Always pads last year, usually use tampons but I had ran out, so I figured I tried one on these "free and clear" options and see how I like them.
Oh, and I was also recommended warm compresses with water and salt for sore nipples. Doula told me that is something cheap and always available that gives a lot of relief.
Like with everything, it will be trial and error.
My doulas tend to discourage using too much dermaplast because it numbs you so you may not be able to tell if you're healing if you're using it all the time but I think they give you that at the hospital so I haven't bought it yet.
@SmashJam I also have a small jar of the diaper /butt cream and more in my cart in case we like it! @wildtot I was given a small tub of the motherlove nipple cream and heard great things about it too.
Oh, and we got the bidet insert installed and it's seriously life changing after pooping (sorry for the TMI). Only bummer is that the water is cold but it feels amazing now! Best $35 investment and DH is digging it too.