I feel like we've talked about this, but I can't find where...
STM+, what items should I already have at home for myself post-delivery?
I know pads - anyone recommend a brand or anything else? I've always been a tampon user and there's so many pad options!
Re: Post-partum home care for mom
I also bought a pack pack of hospital grade mesh underwear off amazon to wear with the pads at home.
After your first baby, the #1 item I'd recommend having at home for personal care is your own mother (if you are fortunate enough to have her, and you have a good relationship).
Also great to have at home:
Witch hazel or dermoplast spray (they gave me a small bottle at the hospital)
Cold packs to wear in your undies
Peribottle
Sitz bath
Pads - I really like Always Infinity XL/Overnight - good coverage but not bulky
Most of the stuff above you can at least get samples from the hospital. My nurse was amazing with my first birth and showed me how to use the peribottle and everything else.
Some folks rave about the Earth Mama Bottom Spray but I haven't personally tried it.
The peri bottles were also nice to have on hand. Tylenol, ibuprofen or whatever you want to take is also good to have on hand.
For c-section mamas (I don't wish it on anyone...but remember it's a possibility!) something like this makes a HUGE difference!
Also get some granny panties and comfy nursing wear - I lived in these and the full shirt version around the house: https://www.amazon.com/CAKYE-Womens-Maternity-Nursing-Breastfeeding/dp/B01F6PZMM4/ref=mp_s_a_1_15?keywords=nursing+bra+top+wear&qid=1560114808&s=gateway&sr=8-15
And lots of one-handed snacks.
You can also put aloe vera gel in breastmilk bags and keep in the fridge for sore breasts. Make sure to have lanolin on hand also if you're breastfeeding. Umm, I think that's all besides comfy clothes! Don't expect to fit right back into those jeans, but also don't shop for new clothes right away lol. I did that and ended up with jeans that were too big after I lost the baby weight!
I have bought nursing pads and lanolin cream for breastfeeding (had not thought about cold aloe pads, so thanks for the tip @kingdommom).
I was going to order this peribottle based on reviews - has anyone here tried it? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VO65XB0/
@acgx Thank you so much for starting this. It's one area I feel underprepared for.
Youtube has some great mama vloggers that will show you their favorite products and padcicle prep if you just search for postpartum recovery or postpartum care.
I bought a lot of what you guys have already mentioned based on youtube vid recommendations. And reading Amazon reviews after. From Amazon:
Thena Sitz Bath Soak
Thena H Salve
Naticura Witch Hazel Pads
FridaBaby Mom Washer
Earth Mama Perineal Spray
Always Discreet Boutique
Always Infinity Overnight, no wings
I don’t have a tub so I had to buy an over the toilet sitz bath contraption...
Soothic Sitz Bath
...weird, but could be convenient for anyone not up for a full bath time when wanting to soak!
Want the Dermoplast spray, but it wont deliver overseas. I am prepared to get very little swag from my hospital, btw, so I went all out. 💸
I liked these disposable underwear instead of pads (Always Discreet):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071X8N9WV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Dermaplast- it's an analgesic spray. Makes everything down there feel so much better! The hospital may send you home with some, but have some backup
Sitz bath + soaking salts - it took me a while to give in and get this, because I thought it was weird. IT IS AWESOME. It really helps with swelling and hemorrhoids. Ugh, I can almost feel the sensation of relief just thinking about it.
Lanolin cream if you are breast feeding. I just used the Lansinoh and it was great.
Get some bigger, comfy granny panties for when you are done with pads/disposable undies. I was a thong girl before, but these big underwear held everything in and felt great.
A couple nursing/delivery gowns. I lived in this and am putting it in my hospital bag this time around:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01D8XG0R2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
SNACKS. I made a bunch of lactation muffins (I couldn't get behind eating cookies all day) and these really sustained me when I didn't have much of an appetite. I just made a bunch and froze them and would microwave one as needed. There are a bunch of recipes online, but I basically just made regular muffins and added brewer's yeast, GROUND flaxseed (has to be ground), and oats. I made banana-chocolate chip and blueberry ones.
I had some padsicle thing that you could re-use but it was uncomfortable and didn't help me.
Bundle includes: C-Section recovery panties, abdominal heat / cool pack, post pregnancy panties, stool softener, hemorrhoid gel, cleansing bottle, epsom bath soak, stretch mark / incision oil, shower aromatherapy tablets, essential oil, sleep mask, signature lavender candle, and tips for each product from one mama to another.
https://www.sunflowermotherhood.com/product-page/c-section-bundle
XPing this to FB!
the hospital provided a peri bottle
I honestly didn’t need any of the other stuff in that bundle
I second the mesh panties for going up over incision. I needed granny panties after that until the incision could handle bikini cut.
I also felt like I needed more help around the house after the CS so don't be shy about asking friends/family. Your job is to heal after a CS, not do chores.