@samanthak46 plus 1 on washing 0-3 months ahead of time. For nb, I bought and washed only one to have just in case. As it turned out he never fit into nb but I liked having it just in case. As for detergent, my son actually broke out from free and clear detergent (I don’t remember if it was all or tide) so it’s hard to say. Most likely it’s fine, but there’s a small chance it may not work.
How long were your previous hospital stays after birth? Can you add if you had any complications (if you feel comfortable doing so)?
Last birth, I was in for 30 hours. I could have stayed longer but I kept getting woken up by nurses and docs and wanted to go home to sleep! This time around, I have a toddler at home, so it'll be a different calculation as to where I'll get the most rest. I had a vaginal birth and didn't have any complications.
I just was thinking about this because I need to make a plan for extended childcare and dogcare, should the need arise. My MIL is nearby and will help out as much as possible, but need contingency plans.
@tsa208 I stayed 2 nights after my cesarean but that is unusually brief. Usually, it's 3-5 nights. I just had such terrible postpartum care that I faked my recovery wellness so that I could go home early. I also really needed some sleep (DH too) and wanted to relax, leisurely take care of myself and get to know DS without interruptions. This time, I'm planning to keep a nanny or sibling doula on retainer who can take care of DS (and our dog) in some regard. If all goes as planned with the birthing center, it might be 2-3 days.
@tsa208 With my first it was 3 nights...and that includes the night while in labor. With my second it was about 4 (including labor) because I was GBS positive, so they made us stay for 3 days after she was born.
My story is horrible and I don't want to scare FTMs, so I won't go into the gory details.
But, I had an emergency C because my daughter tried to come out hand first. I had some complications from the C. I was there for three nights and readmitted a week later for five nights.
Here is my best advice: If you think something is off, say something. If your doctor ignores you, get a second opinion. I should not have been discharged after three nights.
I don't want to burst anyone's bubble but Dreft and Tide Free&Clear are both made by the same company and the ingredients are identical aside from the fragrance. This information is all available via Smartlabel.pg.com .
@tsa208 I had an uncomplicated VBAC with my last and was discharged in less than 24 hours. I had the option to stay longer but, like you, wanted some rest and to see my other kids!
@tsa208 My birth was a little complicated. 36 hour failed induction with an emergency c-section at almost midnight because his heart rate was dropping rapidly. That was Wednesday, late night, discharged on Saturday around 1pm. I gained back my mobility pretty quickly after the epidural EXPECT I was unable to go to the bathroom on my own and needed a direct catheter at one point... and (TMI) the nurse (not one of my regulars, who were all wonderful) put it up my vag instead of my urethra. -_- So much pain and she never said sorry after she fixed it.
Not sure how I'll feel about staying in the hospital. I was ready to be gone last time - the bed was so uncomfortable, but I like knowing everything is fine too with the surgery.
My hospital has you stay until baby is 48 hours old. So my first was born on a Monday, we discharged Wednesday. My second was born on a Thursday and we were discharged Saturday. Both vaginal births, no complications.
@mamanbebe sorry to hear about your sub par care post CS. I hope your experience is way better this time around.
I also had an unusually brief stay after my CS. They discharged me after 2 nights because it was Christmas Eve but honestly I had no business going home so early. Physically I was a mess and emotionally even worse. I had to spend the holidays with extended in laws with a belly full of stitches barely able to use the bathroom on my own. I just wanted to be back in the hospital! I wouldn't recommend rushing out after a CS for any reason.
Two planned, early inductions (37 weeks). Including induction time, I was there for 4 nights both times. My first was a 48 hour induction and my second I stayed an extra night because he was in the NICU. I would have stayed longer for him but I got kicked out (they were full lol). My first I should not have been discharged... I ended up back in the ER about 5 hours after discharge with an extremely high fever and had a severe UTI/kidney infection. I kept saying I didn't feel well and the nurses all said "well you just had a baby". Since it was my first I didn't know any better. So like someone else said, if you feel something isn't right, please speak up!!
@cbeanz Thank you. I think under different circumstances I would have stayed longer, but it was pretty bad. At one point no one came to check on me for maybe 6 hours, including no assistance for the bathroom, no medications, and when I complained they blamed me for not staying on top of medication and not measuring and charting the amount of blood in my urine when I barely dragged myself to the bathroom because the orderly had left early.
*lurking from August* the circumstances of my C sections were completely different (one emergency and one scheduled), but I was discharged at the closest "noon" to 48 hours after each, since that hospital did all their discharges at noon. My first was born around midnight so that total stay was 60 hours and the second was born around 8am so the stay was 52 hours. 2 nights for both. I was ready to go home both times.
I've always washed newborn and 0-3 month clothes ahead of time as well as blankets and accessories. Both my girls were under 8 lbs at birth and stayed in newborn clothes for almost the first month. I reccomend doing it since you don't know if you will have a big baby or not. With my first I used Dreft, but withmy second I just washed them with All free and Clear. However I'm looking for something more natural now.
I used some dreft that was gifted to us with my first, and after that just washed his clothes with our detergent. He never had a bad reaction or anything, otherwise we would’ve opted for something else. I didn’t wash any clothes before hand. I left tags on everything and was able to return stuff that they didn’t fit in. They both could’ve worn newborn stuff for a week or two, but I figure since they weren’t going to use it long, it was better to return for a bigger size.
@samanthak46 - I have always used ALL free and clear for our clothes, including both my kids as babies. I plan to do the same for our new LO. We have never had any issues with it. I washed all the clothes with my first (she fit into NB for 3-4 weeks), my son did for about a week. I suggest washing the 0-3 and maybe one newborn just in case (or wait until you come home to wash if the 0-3 are that big).
@tsa208 - My first was born at just after 8pm and my second just after 9pm. Since they were born at night I ended up spending two nights and going home about 36 hours after delivery. My first was born about 3 hours after I arrived at the hospital. My second was born about 5 hours after I arrived at the hospital (I managed to get there before my water broke with #2). I’m expecting the same stay or less if #3 arrives earlier in the day.
@tsa208 I was in hospital for a week. The first 27 hours were labour followed by ECS. I had no complications but my milk didn't come in so DD's weight was dropping and we had to stay until she started gaining.
Water broke at about 1:00am. Checked in at hospital around 3. ECS at 10AM Wednesday morning due to breech presentation. We were discharged at noon on Friday. My recovery was fine but we were readmitted for another 24 hours on Sunday due to DD needing photo therapy for jaundice.
@mama_bear19 I got a random one on Amazon that was cheaper/came with a lid. I don't even know if it had a brand. I think they all pretty much work the same if you search Haakaa on Amazon any of them will work! It's great and I highly recommend!!! Probably my breastfeeding must-have to recommend to other moms! I do recommend getting a lid or stopper whichever brand you choose. For me, it was nice to be able to just put it on my nightstand in the middle of the night and then refrigerate in the morning (I think breastmilk can be out in room temp for 6 hours before needing to refridgerate).
I had a Haaka! I got about an ounce every feeding that I otherwise wouldn't. I had the Haaka brand but any of them are fine and nearly identical. They're especially good for moms with extra supply who leak while feeding. I wasn't one of those women but I did like it.
I liked my manual Medela Harmony way more so here's my shameless plug for a truly manual battery free plug free pump!!!
Thanks @cbeanz! It’s really too bad I didn’t know about it last time because I would soak a bath towel from the side baby wasn’t feeding on... I’m just hoping to catch that milk this go around. Idk why I never thought to try to collect it.
DS was born via c-section on a Tuesday evening around 9 pm and we went home mid-morning on Saturday. Recovery was a B, and I really struggled at home.
DD was born via c-section (scheduled but she came a day early) on a Tuesday morning around 5 and we went home Friday morning. Recovery was SO MUCH EASIER the second time, and I was ready to get home to my son.
(I know this isn't a c-section thread, BUT for anyone who ends up with one... you've got to stay on top of the pain meds! I am possibly the least assertive person on the planet and my whole life goal is to fly under the radar and not inconvenience anyone. My c-section recovery is the. only. time. I advocate for myself. I get on that phone and call my nurse when it has been EXACTLY how many hours/minutes it can be between pills. I got behind one time after my first surgery, and that will never happen again.)
@mama_bear19 I only used it with my second, but same as you... I had a big over supply! I do block feeding (only one breast per feed) and I'd get 3+ oz from the opposite side just from leaky letdown. I didn't usually force pump from it. I think you'll really like it!!
Pediatricians **** I am about to start my pediatrician search, what are some good questions to ask? What should I be looking for? My interview process will be May 2 and I honestly do not know where to start once I make the appointment
@mom2b77373 one thing I love about our pediatrician is that they have lactation consultants in house and you can do your dr appt and lactation appt at one place and one time. I don’t think all offices offer that so you could ask about that.
@mom2b77373 These are some topics, I'm sure other moms have an opinion. I agree with @mama_bear19 on finding one that has an LC on staff if possible:
Vaccinations, what their stance is, do they allow unvaccinated children or alternate schedules. What their wellness visit schedule is for babies, toddlers and children. How hard it is to get an appointment during cold and flu season. Do they have an after hours answering service for urgent questions. Where do they recommend you take your child when there is an emergency. Do they have on-call doctors with your birthing hospital to examine and give first vaccines. How do they handle sick children mixing with well children in the waiting room. How do they support parents with breastfeeding and formula feeding.
@mom2b77373 I would ask if they have after hours, if there is more than one dr in the office, ask if you’ll be able to see the same dr everytime. My kids office has 3 doctors, but they see the same one everytime. It’s nice though to know if she’s out of town or sick there are still two other doctors they can see.
@mama_bear19 and @mamanbebe this are great questions! Thank ya'll so much. if you think of anymore please let me know, I want to go in completely prepared
Re: Ask a STM+ March
Last birth, I was in for 30 hours. I could have stayed longer but I kept getting woken up by nurses and docs and wanted to go home to sleep! This time around, I have a toddler at home, so it'll be a different calculation as to where I'll get the most rest. I had a vaginal birth and didn't have any complications.
I just was thinking about this because I need to make a plan for extended childcare and dogcare, should the need arise. My MIL is nearby and will help out as much as possible, but need contingency plans.
But, I had an emergency C because my daughter tried to come out hand first. I had some complications from the C. I was there for three nights and readmitted a week later for five nights.
Here is my best advice: If you think something is off, say something. If your doctor ignores you, get a second opinion. I should not have been discharged after three nights.
hoping for a shorter stay this time
Not sure how I'll feel about staying in the hospital. I was ready to be gone last time - the bed was so uncomfortable, but I like knowing everything is fine too with the surgery.
I also had an unusually brief stay after my CS. They discharged me after 2 nights because it was Christmas Eve but honestly I had no business going home so early. Physically I was a mess and emotionally even worse. I had to spend the holidays with extended in laws with a belly full of stitches barely able to use the bathroom on my own. I just wanted to be back in the hospital! I wouldn't recommend rushing out after a CS for any reason.
@tsa208 - My first was born at just after 8pm and my second just after 9pm. Since they were born at night I ended up spending two nights and going home about 36 hours after delivery. My first was born about 3 hours after I arrived at the hospital. My second was born about 5 hours after I arrived at the hospital (I managed to get there before my water broke with #2). I’m expecting the same stay or less if #3 arrives earlier in the day.
I liked my manual Medela Harmony way more so here's my shameless plug for a truly manual battery free plug free pump!!!
DD was born via c-section (scheduled but she came a day early) on a Tuesday morning around 5 and we went home Friday morning. Recovery was SO MUCH EASIER the second time, and I was ready to get home to my son.
(I know this isn't a c-section thread, BUT for anyone who ends up with one... you've got to stay on top of the pain meds! I am possibly the least assertive person on the planet and my whole life goal is to fly under the radar and not inconvenience anyone. My c-section recovery is the. only. time. I advocate for myself. I get on that phone and call my nurse when it has been EXACTLY how many hours/minutes it can be between pills. I got behind one time after my first surgery, and that will never happen again.)
Vaccinations, what their stance is, do they allow unvaccinated children or alternate schedules.
What their wellness visit schedule is for babies, toddlers and children.
How hard it is to get an appointment during cold and flu season.
Do they have an after hours answering service for urgent questions.
Where do they recommend you take your child when there is an emergency.
Do they have on-call doctors with your birthing hospital to examine and give first vaccines.
How do they handle sick children mixing with well children in the waiting room.
How do they support parents with breastfeeding and formula feeding.