Let’s be real here, you just pushed out a tiny human being….OUCH! Now, not only do you have to care for yourself, but for them, so how do you manage?
I’ll be frank here and say, I was not taught about postpartum care in school. They put the fear of God in us about premarital sex and the repercussions, but never about what happens after baby.
So why isn’t this really discussed?
It wasn’t until I dove deep into threads, books and discussions with those who have had babies in the last two years, that I found out the truth. I really didn’t care before I had a child of my own, to be fair, it’s not like I went searching for the information because I just HAD to know. But I wish I wasn’t so oblivious to it for so long as a woman.
“What the hell is a Peri bottle?” “They have cold pads for your coochie?” “I have to wear diapers?!”
Yup, those were just some of my thoughts and it’s all that and so much more.
I had a 26 hour natural labor and it was exhausting to say the least. Do I regret it? No, absolutely not. I was fortunate enough to have no major tearing, yes ladies….you tear and for some women so badly they need some serious stitches down below. I had micro-tears, still unpleasant needless to say. But that’s why the Peri bottle is so important.
I didn’t think to take a diaper to my birth, in fact, most clinics or hospitals will provide you with some or very GIANT thick pads to put in your underwear. Highly uncomfortable might I add. That’s what I was given at the clinic, a ginormous pad. It kept me protected enough to make it home and throw on a diaper. Thank goodness the clinic was only five minutes from my house, so it didn’t stay on long.
I always laugh because my daughter and I were both in diapers at the same time! Now that’s a bonding moment if there ever was one.
So remember how I said I went deep down the rabbit hole for information, well people made suggestions for things to buy for recovery. My purchases were as follows:
- Peri Bottle – An absolute must
- Loose fitting nightgown or Pajamas – Oh yeah
- Calm Magnesium Powder – This helped a lot
- Tucks personal cleansing pads (cooling and soothing) – Refunded, didn’t even open them
- Frida Mom Perineal Cooling Pad liners – Refunded, didn’t even open them
- Bach Rescue Pastilles lozenges – Amazingly helpful
- Adult Diapers – A MUST
I personally felt most comfortable wearing a diaper for a while and eventually switching to a pad when the bleeding became lighter. And the Peri bottle was MAGIC! I personally preferred warm water when I used it, just felt better and more soothing for me. I lived in my loose fitting nightgown and over-sized pajamas for a good while, also very loose fitting clothing if I had to venture out for whatever reason. And the Magnesium powder I’d throw in water and it helped with my mood and recovery. The lozenges also helped with my mood and surprisingly helped me sleep as well. You go through a lot emotionally to boot in Postpartum, which I’ll touch on more later.
And that was it. People suggested all sorts of herbal remedies, cooling pads, diapers, pads, period underwear, etc. But what it ultimately comes down to is your pain tolerance, what you went through during your birth (major tearing, c-section, etc) and what you want to spend your money on. Also, what you feel comfortable with.
Remember you gave birth to a little one, you may have tearing/stitches, you also have a hole in your abdominal wall from where the placenta was attached – the pain and healing process takes time. And it’s different for everyone!
To Be Continued….
Mama on the Move 