Things to have on hand for after birth?

[grniys]

I'm wondering what sorts of things you all recommend having on hand for after giving birth to help with the recovery. Last time I really didn't think about it and afterwords didn't feel adequately prepared at all.

Tucks pads helped a lot and my midwife gave me some prescription cream for the vaginal area that helped, but I don't know what the cream was called and ran out.

So what items will help me heal faster? It's getting closer to time and I'm getting scared because I'm remembering not only how painful childbirth was, but how much the recovery hurt as well!

Thanks in advance for any help.

[jecombs]

I used the Tucks I got from the hospital and also kept witch hazel on-hand. Next time around, I think I'd like to get an herbal bath kit to help my perineum heal. The only other things I remember needing were breast pads (for going out), big maxi pads (the overnight variety), and my peri bottle. I also had a box of Mother's Milk tea, which I started drinking right after the birth, to help my milk come-in. Oh yeah, I also took Colace every day for a few weeks, so I didn't have to strain when using the bathroom, because it was a little painful!

[MegBoz]

I agree with pp. Wish I'd started the colace sooner!

If you get cracks in your nipples, immediately get a prescription for Dr. Jack Newman's All Purpose Nipple Ointment!!! (otherwise, I hear Lansinoh is good.) Medela "Soft shells" to protect my nipples also helped my healing.

[septbabymama]

For next time, I plan on using cloth pads. It was pretty irritating wearing disposable pads and liners for 4-5 weeks. I've since gotten them and waiting for AF to show up so that I can use them.

[grniys]

I had a large variety of pads stocked up last time, so I'll be sure to do the same this time. I found some disposable breast pads that were very, very soft and will get the same ones again.

I also had some mother's milk tea, so I'll get another box of that. I also had some problems so the Colace sounds like it would be perfect.

Where could I find an herbal bath kit to help heal faster? Is there a specific type to buy?

Thanks for all the suggestions!

[dogmom327]

I wish I'd had everything for the sitz bath ready to go. I tried sending DH to the store for the stuff but he couldn't find most of it.

Also, lanisoh cream. Something I didn't realize I needed. Although now I get to tell the story of DH having to ask some kid working at the film counter at the drug store where the "nipple cream" was at A middle-aged woman took pity on DH and took him over and showed him what he was looking for.

[mysticmomma]

afterease tincture- better than percocet, ibuprofen etc
good calcium supplement
lots of bottled water
soup at hand were great for eating and nursing
lansinoh
peri bottles
lanacane spray for any stitches
prefolds to sit on instead of chux
cloth pads


I didn't bother with the sitz bath. I just sat on a towel in the tub as needed.

[pantufla]

Not exactly natural, but I drank a lot of electrolyte drinks (like Gatorade) for a couple days after birth. That helped a lot.

[jmcqabigler]

after the birth of your first baby the after birth pains get worse each time.my midwives recomend cramp-bark tincture to help with after birth pains it worked great after my last baby and is better than having to take alot of motrin or tylenol for after birth pains. I would definatly get some before the rbirth beause it may be hard to find.

[grniys]

Originally Posted by jmcqabigler

after the birth of your first baby the after birth pains get worse each time.my midwives recomend cramp-bark tincture to help with after birth pains it worked great after my last baby and is better than having to take alot of motrin or tylenol for after birth pains. I would definatly get some before the rbirth beause it may be hard to find.

It gets WORSE?

I'll look into this cramp bark stuff.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm really wanting to feel better prepared this time as I have a toddler to chase after in addition to a new baby to take care of. I can't afford the recovery to be too hard.

[grniys]

Originally Posted by mysticmomma

afterease tincture- better than percocet, ibuprofen etc
good calcium supplement
lots of bottled water
soup at hand were great for eating and nursing
lansinoh
peri bottles
lanacane spray for any stitches
prefolds to sit on instead of chux
cloth pads


I didn't bother with the sitz bath. I just sat on a towel in the tub as needed.

Is that tincture the same as the cramp bark stuff pp mentioned?

[barefootpoetry]

Afterease helped a lot with the cramps. Ibuprofen is a GODSEND. Herbal sitz baths for tears and general soreness (I like the one from In His Hands, it smells really good!). Cloth postpartum pads and cloth nursing pads feel so good, much nicer on your skin than sposie ones. Liquid chlorophyll or other iron supplement to boost your levels after blood loss. Prenatal vitamins. M&Ms for a little pick-me-up.

I kept all this stuff along with the things I needed for the baby on a little rolly-cart dealie by the bedside. I was on strict orders not to get out of bed except to go to the bathroom for the first week, so it made life easier to have all the stuff I needed right at hand.

Also, lay a towel across the part of the bed where you and baby are going to be laying, because between his explosive poops and your boobs leaking as your milk comes in, it's pointless to change sheets over and over. Just lay down a fresh towel when that one gets poopy or wet!

[*MamaJen*]

Fuzzy pajama pants. I loved those things. Also, fuzzy socks.
Also, for the first week, it helps to sort of set up stations in every room of the house. I kept a basket of diaper and nursing stuff in the bedroom and living room.

[AngelBee]

:

[abharrington]

Originally Posted by septbabymama

For next time, I plan on using cloth pads. It was pretty irritating wearing disposable pads and liners for 4-5 weeks. I've since gotten them and waiting for AF to show up so that I can use them.

Originally Posted by AngelBee

:

definatly cloth mama pads! i was miserable last time with the sposies
cloth breast pads
peri bottle
tucks pads

motrin
colase
prenatal vitamins
lanolin
mother's milk tea

water and lots of lemons
frozen beans and soups

lots of cloth diapers, for baby, spills, leaks...and so on and so forth.
extra set(s) of sheets for your bed
comfy jamies and warm socks

hmm...i'm sure there is more but this is what is coming to mind at the moment.

[SABE]

a freezer full of food!

[amnda527]

My midwife gave me this with my first, and I'm definetly getting it again!
http://herblore.com/cgi-bin/dba/stor...+And+Lactation
herblore.com specializes in pregnancy and postpartum care, there is a long list of other stuff I plan on trying too.

[grniys]

Thanks for all the ideas! I need to make a list!

[Jenivere]

A peri bottle
Some OB pads soaked in an herbal tincture and frozen; they were great relief those first few days.
Plenty of Large OB pads and those 30*36 chux pads. Those large plastic backed sheets were great for my bed the first couple nights.
I didn't like the afterease but I know many do. What worked for me is hot packs. Buy some large socks from the dollar store and fill them with rice them tie the top in a knot. Make 2-4 of them. When you need relief throw them each in the microwave (if you have one) for 1 minute then put one in front and one in back. Those were my saving grace when it came to afterpains. You could also use some cotton fabric and sew up pouches but the socks were easy so thats what I did. I'm expecting even more pain this time since it's my fourth, oh the joy...
A water bottle to keep at hand for those many nursing sessions.
About a month before your due start doubling meals that freeze easy. It will make life easier once the baby comes.
Some extra sheets from the thrift shop so your not using your best sheets during those first few days-weeks of heavy bleeding.
A comfy robe.
If you don't have a lap top to play on try buying a few novels you want to read or some magazines to keep on hand. I did most of my reading when my babies were tiny and nursing a lot. Maybe some movies and children's books from the library for those first few days to help occupy your other child if you won't have any help around.