"padding" the beds, couches, etc...?

[mama.rye]

More questions from a first time mom!

Should I put down some extra layers of "stuff" on the bed for labor? I am not giving birth at home, but plan to labor here for as long as possible and LOVE my bed and pillows. I imagine I will want to spend time on it while laboring... I know it depends on whether my water has broken or not, but will I be um...leaking alot?

Also, for when I come home with babe - do you reccomend having a towel and sheet down on my rocker and couch, where I will be spending most of my time nursing. Even with a pad on, can I expect leaks, heavy flow?


I know again, all women are different, but I honestly have no idea what to expect as far as what will be coming out of me!! plus, my couch and rocker are two of the only nice things I own.

Thanks mamas!

[TaraRae82]

I put a vinyl mattress cover on our bed just in case. I got it for about $7 at Wal Mart. It's not noisy or anything....I don't think DH even knows it's there. I haven't done anytin to protect the couch or pillows but Wal Mart carries covers for those as well. GL!

[JBaxter]

Im like Tara ... I have the vinyl mattress cover on but other then that nothing. Ive never had my water break until after Im in the hospital anyway so I will chance it.

[Bella Catalina]

I'm having a HB and my midwife was just here this morning for the home visit. She said she recommends going panty-free for the first few days and sitting on chux pads because it helps you heal that much quicker without pads. Not sure how comfortable I will be with that idea but can't knock it til I try it!

My water broke with DS before any other sign of labor, so this time we will have a vinyl mattress protector on the bed... actually we need to get that done this week.

[crosscat]

I'm a first-timer, too, so I will be stalking this thread. Like OP, I will be laboring at home as long as possible. So far I've put an extra mattress pad on our bed, and a thick towel where I usually sleep (under the sheet), AND I got one of those pads from BRU that are called, if I remember correctly, quilted multi-purpose pad. It's with the crib pads and stuff like that. I have that over the sheet and under my bottom at bedtime.

No idea how well any of this will work or if any of it will really be needed. Actually I appreciated the multi-purpose pad the other evening when I lost a bit of mucous plug.

I can see myself sitting on towels once I get home, just to be cautious. Better safe than scrubbing stains out of the furniture.

[Skrimpy]

I would put a mattress cover over your mattress and then sheets on top of that that you don't mind getting messed up. This is what I would advise actually: make bed with sheets you like and are nice and comfy. Put mattress cover on. Put on older sheets you don't mind getting messed up.

Then you can labor on the bed without worry. When your DH (or whoever) gets the room ready for you and babe to come home to all he needs to do is strip the sheets and the pad and there you have nice sheets!

Also, I agree - get some chux pads to sit on/sleep on in the first few days. This will protect from leaks and if you want to go panty-free you don't need to worry. I like going panty-free some otherwise I start to chaff down there which is no fun. Chux are very cheap too!

[JBaxter]

Originally Posted by Bella Catalina

I'm having a HB and my midwife was just here this morning for the home visit. She said she recommends going panty-free for the first few days and sitting on chux pads because it helps you heal that much quicker without pads. Not sure how comfortable I will be with that idea but can't knock it til I try it!

My water broke with DS before any other sign of labor, so this time we will have a vinyl mattress protector on the bed... actually we need to get that done this week.

Ok had to chime in there is NO WAY I could or would go pantyless after birth. I have 2 teens and a 4 yr old and a dog and no way could I get up off a bloody chux pad. Even with my first I dont think I could have anyone drop buy ( mom, sister people from church dropping off food etc) and have to sit and not move.
And wouldnt sitting on a plastic chux pad be like having a pad on anyway? I think I will have to stick with my velour momma cloth.

[Skrimpy]

For me the pantyless will be in my bed when I know that we're not going to have visitors. But to me it's not a big deal - DH doesn't mind if I sleep on a towel some nights during my AF (may she stay far far away for a long while postpartum!) - so it's not that strange to me; my own blood doesn't bother me much...washes off easily and I don't care about stains on an old towel (and can just chuck a chux!)

And in my experience chux pads are not chaffing since they're not right up next to the skin, esp. not when you're lying in bed.

[mama.rye]

thanks for the feedback!
I decided to get a few chux pads to put down.
I didnt even know what those were until I read the thread! Learn something new everyday...
I am big fan of panty free days anyway, so I imagine I am going to want to "breathe" a bit postpartum.