Can we discuss post partum.... self care? - Page 3 « Back to Group Discussions

[thomatuttle]

are the afterpains while nursing really bad with #2 and beyond?  i don't really remember them too much with DD, but now i'm worried!

[Tulafina]

Erin...They were almost as bad as labour around 5-6cm point. They lasted for 3 days and I tried every herbal cramp remedy out there:( All that really worked was Tylenol and a hot water bottle on my tummy. I had no idea that they could be that brutal because I barely had any with #1 as well.

[flavorfull1]

Ugh see I am worried bc I remember them with DS and they sucked!  I felt nauseated every time I nursed too. Ibuprofen was my friend.

[usagi629]

Never heard of Chux pads... I used the Ultimate Crib Sheet since we weren't using the crib yet anyway (had baby in a bassinet next to the bed for the first 3 months). I'll probably do that again. I will probably put a red towel over it. I have a bunch of red towels fortunately. The ultimate crib sheet will just keep anything from getting to the actual bed sheet and mattress, which is sounds like is what the Chunx pad does.. but the crib sheet is reusable and easy to wash and can be used in the crib after pp.

[Fern5Fern]

Oh yeah I forgot about the afterpains.  I had them a lot with DD, and since I tandem nursed they were terrible nursing my toddler DS the first few days.  They didn't last very long though, maybe a day or two.  For those of you with lots of kids do they get worse with each baby?

[vivica2]

i don't remember the 'after pains' at all, so they must not have been that bad. 

what i DO remember is my milk coming in and OOOOOOMMMMMMMGGGGGGG! that was awful!  have a few bags of frozen peas on hand for that, you will need it.

and don't be afraid to 'let' your milk yourself to relieve some pressure, i didn't with my first and it was searing pain for 3 days. with my second i pumped when i first woke up (only 1 oz on each side, and froze it for later use) and it helped tremendously!!!

-viv-

[Tulafina]

I've found they get worse with each baby and last for longer:( I'm dreading it...

[Itsasecret]

 In my experience they get worse.

My rule is pajamas for a week. If my kids (especially the older ones) see me in jammies, they don't expect the same level of activity out of me.

We all need to be careful to nurture ourselves during recovery. We may feel great, but that just makes it easier to overdo it. Overdoing it sets you up for problems later (like in your 40's and 50's). I know that seems far off to a lot of us, but it is true that how you handle pp recovery now will affect your body later.

My recovery each time gets a little harder, a little longer. My mom had five kids and she is a stickler for keeping us (her daughters and daughters-in-law) down for at least a week. She was a Navy wife and did not have that luxury. She had a lot of feminine problems related to childbearing years when she was late 40's and 50's.

[miss_honeyb]

Originally Posted by Tulafina 

Melissa's list is awesome:) The only things I would add are Arnica 200ch for bruising/swelling- works so well:) And a hot water bottle to fill and put on your tummy during nursing(especially if it's baby #2 and beyond). Those afterpains can be killer!!
Also, really try to stay in bed for 1-3 days and if possible make it a week!! It helps to keep your bum from feeling heavy and helps with your PP flow. 6 weeks of rest is what is recommended by most midwives...it doesn't mean lay in bed for 6 weeks...just try to relax, nurse often and let the house become messy

I felt SO good after my homebirths, I ended up being too active too soon. Then I noticed my bleeding got heavier and I knew I had to stay off my feet. Rest, rest, rest!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Itsasecret 

Ooh, peri bottles. Love them.

One note about the first pp poo ... You can eat a handful of prunes a couple times a day or drink a glass of prune juice and get good results. Also, if you are having trouble, don't push! Put a container in the bathtub and squat over it. Squatting is the natural position that our bodies need to be in to poo. You will get much better results without pushing that way.

The first pee and first poo can be very scary. Drink lots of water immediately pp to help with the first pee. Be proactive about the first poo and you may not suffer (lots of water, prunes (or a stool softener), squat or use a stool for your feet). Don't let up after the first poo - you may need help the first few times.

I use disposables for babe until the meconium is gone. I use disposables for myself, too. I'd hate to ask DH to clean those!

Be proactive with the postpartum BMs. Just trying not to think about it won't help. 

[thomatuttle]

question about sitz baths.  i've seen the little dish type things online that you put over the toilet.  is this how most of you do it, or do you "brew" the herbs in some water in the tub and just sit in it that way?  i think that's why i didn't do anything last time, because i wasn't exactly sure what to do.

[Tulafina]

Originally Posted by thomatuttle 

question about sitz baths.  i've seen the little dish type things online that you put over the toilet.  is this how most of you do it, or do you "brew" the herbs in some water in the tub and just sit in it that way?  i think that's why i didn't do anything last time, because i wasn't exactly sure what to do.

I put a large pot of water on to boil. Once it starts to boil, turn the stove off. I then take my herbs(in muslin baggies) and drop them in the water. I leave them in there for an hour before my hubby fills the tub with just enough warm water to cover all my bits;) He then pours the herbal water(baggies and all into the tub). I usually save one baggie and lay it on a pad for after the bath so the herbs can be against my perineum/bum (I just do this for 15 mins or so). I stay in the tub for 15-20 mins and then start filling the tub with hot water as it's cooled by this point and then my hubby puts baby in the tub:) we have a 10 min soak together and that's it! We do this twice a day. After the cord has dried a bit after the birth, I use a qtip and put Goldenseal powder on the cord. Works so well at keeping it dry and stopping any yucky discharge. I've used it on 2 babies now and find it's far better than calendula (IMO).

[MamaChick]

Just saw a good list on post partum care the other day - http://www.holistickid.com/birth-and-postpartum-care-package/

[southernfriedkarma]

What about postpartum underwear?  I have some of those mesh panties for immediately after the birth (4 pairs - is that enough?), but I'm wondering what will be comfortable after that.  My pre-preg underwear is mostly low rise boy shorts, and I don't think they'll hold giant pads, so I need something else.  Should I just go to Target and buy giant briefs? I've Googled postpartum underwear, and everything that comes up is shapewear.  I'd love for my tummy to look flat immediately, but I'm more interested in being comfortable.

I also need post-partum pajamas but am having trouble finding any that aren't $50, and I assume I'll need at least two pairs.  I've never spent $50 on pajamas in my life, but I want to be comfortable and have nursing friendly pjs for when friends come to visit after the birth.  Suggestions for sales or other inexpensive places?

[flavorfull1]

I really liked depends for a couple of days and then bought some cheap regular cotton underwear a size up from normal and that worked well. I would go with what you are used to bc it is nice to have something familiar.  I didn't really get any pajamas last time or this time, I have a pair of yoga pants and stretchy pants that worked fine and then I just wore a nursing tank with a t shirt or long sleeve shirt over it. It is nice to have specific pajamas if it is something you want though!

[lalazap]

Originally Posted by southernfriedkarma 
 I have some of those mesh panties for immediately after the birth (4 pairs - is that enough?)

Mesh panties dry super fast and don't really need to get laundered with everything else. Just rinse them out under cold water and hang them over the shower rod and they should be good to go the next time you're in the bathroom. I think four pairs sounds like lots.

[dealic]

Originally Posted by lalazap 

Mesh panties dry super fast and don't really need to get laundered with everything else. Just rinse them out under cold water and hang them over the shower rod and they should be good to go the next time you're in the bathroom. I think four pairs sounds like lots.

That's a relief because I ordered 4 pairs yesterday.

I also ordered "New Mama Bottom Spray" which I hope to use both as a spray and to spray pad to freeze. Can I do that? I got a sitz bath and a peri bottle too. I bought stool softeners earlier. I still need to get pads, but I am getting there. I plan to do that water/alcohol thing too for some ice packs.

[justKate]

I'm a little worried about after pains this time too, since I don't remember any at all with DD.  I guess I'm so anxious to get through the birth successfully that I haven't given much thought to postpartum.

Has anyone used the California Baby bottom spray postpartum?  I have some that I bought for DD, but it was a little to strong for a baby, I thought.

Also about the mesh panties, if you have a hospital or birth center birth be sure to ask them for some (extras) and raid the drawers before you leave.

[Rasa]

Tulafina--is that Goldenseal powder the root or the leaf powder?  You just dab it on straight to the cord area (like the actual drying bit of the cord or the belly area around or both?)  TIA!

[wendybird]

About the afterpains...that is seriously when I would want pain relief. They were non existant with my first, brutal with my second on. I actually quit nursing for a week with Christian because I couldn't take it. From Gavin on  I have taken 800 milligrams of ibuprofin every 3 hours and only nurse with a heating pad on my abdomen.If I am even half an hour late with the ibuprofin I am doubled over in tears.  Normally I avoid meds and all, but this is the exception! One of my best friends has nine kids and has never felt an afterpain, so it definately varies.

[Tulafina]

Originally Posted by dealic 

That's a relief because I ordered 4 pairs yesterday.

I also ordered "New Mama Bottom Spray" which I hope to use both as a spray and to spray pad to freeze. Can I do that? I got a sitz bath and a peri bottle too. I bought stool softeners earlier. I still need to get pads, but I am getting there. I plan to do that water/alcohol thing too for some ice packs.

It's not a very big bottle so I don't think it would go very far when putting it directly on pads- I would buy a $5 bottle of alcohol free witch hazel for the frozen pads and use the spray directly on your bottom:) I LOVE the New mama bottom spray:) It's amazing!

Originally Posted by Rasa 

Tulafina--is that Goldenseal powder the root or the leaf powder?  You just dab it on straight to the cord area (like the actual drying bit of the cord or the belly area around or both?)  TIA!

I dab it all around the cord- where it attaches to the body etc. I have no clue if it's the root or leaf as there's only one kind of powder you can get...or so I've seen here in health food stores. It just says Goldenseal powder...and that's the one I buy:) It's a dark green colour in the capsule.