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Childbirth

Post birth treats

65 replies

blitzen · 15/03/2019 18:57

Hi all, I hope this is an appropriate thread for the childbirth section.

I am currently 31w with my first dc. While I am still earning, I thought I would treat myself to a few things which might be considered a treat or luxury post birth, for me. I have already got myself the 'spritz for bits' spray from expert midwife as it sounds very soothing, and a couple of nice nursing bras, but wondering if there is anything you can recommend for the immediate days and weeks after birth when I will be sleep deprived and possibly pinned to the sofa please? I am considering a Netflix subscription and will buy plenty chocolate, but otherwise I'd welcome suggestions on anything and everything that made post birth a bit more bearable for you!

Thank you in advance Smile

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canonlyhopexo · 15/03/2019 18:59

Following! Also expecting DC1.

What about a nice soft tracksuit or loungewear set, or nice pyjamas? Slippers?

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Florencenotflo · 15/03/2019 19:08

I batch cooked and filled the freezer, but if I'd had the money I'd have bought some 'luxury' ready meals. I didn't always fancy what I'd cooked but would have loved the variety of ready meals for a short time.

If you're into make up, why not go to a make up counter and ask them to recommend some quick make up. So I got a good B.B. cream, cream blusher and eyebrow mascara thing. So even if I was sleep deprived and in a rush I felt a bit better that I didn't look sleep deprived and in a rush 😂

Treat yourself to a pedicure? I couldn't reach my toes by 35 weeks!

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Florencenotflo · 15/03/2019 19:09

And yes, I second the idea of some nice loungewear. Stretchy and black, but in some nice soft material.

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Thesnobbymiddleclassone · 15/03/2019 19:19

Nice new PJs and a good wine!

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legalseagull · 15/03/2019 19:21

I've just treated myself to a coat from the Boden sale. Half price. I'm due next week and have been pregnant pretty continuously since 2016. I am SO excited to get back in to some nice, non maternity clothes.

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YourEggnogIsBetterThanMine · 15/03/2019 19:22

I had:

New pjs (a size bigger than usual but not maternity), new slippers and dressing gown.

Lavender oil for the bath (stitches)

Fluffy socks. Fluffy anything. I was freezing for weeks. It wasn't that cold out but I was cold to the bone.

A lot of fruit. I didn't want junk at all which is unlike me. I only wanted fresh sandwiches, cold Irn Bru and a truck load of fruit for the first 2 weeks. Seriously, about 6-8 pieces of fruit a day and I don't particularly like fruit. DH was hardly out of Tesco.

Papa Johns


Life for the first few weeks, ime, is really just trying to stay warm, clean, comfortable and well fed. Good luck Flowers

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moreismore · 15/03/2019 19:27

If you don’t already have one then get a hot water bottle in a snuggly cover for the after pains.

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Wavingwhiledrowning · 15/03/2019 19:33

Biscuits.

I don't normally have them, but when you're permanently attached to a baby, the fact that you can stuff a biscuit in your mouth is a life saver. Treat yourself to some good ones!!

And yes, definitely some kind of TV subscription. We didn't have that sort of thing with DC1 and I nearly lost my mind. With DC3 (now), epic feeding sessions on the sofa are a total treat! I've never watched so much good TV in my life! (I prefer Amazon to Netflix though).

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burritofan · 15/03/2019 20:10

Following! I've gone mad on buying cushions, I can have a cushion cocoon on the sofa once this baby arrives. Will probably treat myself to a fancy candle, and like the idea of lavender oil for the bath.

My friend recommended a feeding basket for when you're trapped on the sofa: water bottle, nipple cream, muslins, many many snacks, TV remote, etc, all in one basket so you can carry it around but also have it to hand.

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TheSheepofWallSt · 15/03/2019 20:15

Really nice face wipes (you may not get to
Wash your face as often as you’d like- I felt permanently grubby no matter how much I showered )

Moisturiser (I was SO dry skinned on my face)

Really nice body wipes (or your body- leaking boobs made me feel gross all the time )

A good stretchy big headband/wrap for your hair (Your hair will go to shit and may fall out)

Extra pjs and cotton bedding for you - nobody tells you about the postpartum night sweats.

A Netflix subscription
Cake
A big carafe for water that you can keep by you
Bamboo breast pads

It’s a magical time... like a spa but more bewildering and not relaxing Grin enjoy!

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ShinyRuby · 15/03/2019 20:21

The Netflix subscription sounds a brilliant idea. I wish it had been around when I had my first, I've never spent so much time watching tv. Also some quality ready meals & a few quid stashed away for some new clothes when you feel ready. Good luck!

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Pushpull · 15/03/2019 21:08

Really nice hand cream and handwash/soap. You wash your hands so many times a day. Baths I find less often than showers so a luxurious shower gel is good.

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whitehalleve · 15/03/2019 21:36

Nice loungewear or pjs

A thermal mug for night feeds was a brilliant gift I received.

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CallMeCarolDanvers · 15/03/2019 21:39

If you're stuck in hospital for more than the bare minimum get your DP or someone to bring you decent food. DH brought me a lovely brie and mango chutney baguette, which was amazing as the hospital dinner was shit.

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kmammamalto · 15/03/2019 21:46

This thread is amazing! 🙌

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ninecoronas · 15/03/2019 21:51

Yes to nice pjs and slippers. Maybe a soft fluffy towel? A good sippy water bottle so you're not slipping water about in the dark while trying not to wake the baby. New perfume cos you feel like you always smell of milk and baby sick and sweat! And the best Christmas pressie I ever got...backlit Kindle for the night feeds.

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bitchfromhell · 15/03/2019 22:03

Face wipes, lip balm, hand cream, lansinoh if you're breast feeding, a nice little bag to keep them all in and transport with you around the house to wherever you plant yourself. Also something to moisture your hair.

Look at happy mama pjs on amazon. Don't buy expensive as what fits you 1 day post partum will be no use at week 6.

Huge pants that cover your belly button. Very warm socks.

A love island type water bottle and some nice squash. You've never been thirsty until you've breastfed.

Cereal bars and biscuits. Chocolate in great excess does something funny to breast milk.

Get kindle app on your phone so you can lose yourself in a book. An actual book or kindle is too heavy and awkward whilst holding a baby.

Don't bother with face masks, bath stuff etc. You'll likely not have time for that for a few weeks and it's not fun looking at it on the side, knowing you have no chance of a minute to yourself to use them for the foreseeable future.

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Bamboo15 · 15/03/2019 22:12

A very fluffy luxury bath towel.

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EgremontRusset · 15/03/2019 22:14

Delicious expensive dried fruit. The fibre is useful, and it’s much nicer to snack on apricots or chocolate covered dates or whatever, than crusty old raisins or medicines.

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UnicornRainbowsRain · 16/03/2019 07:14

A boppy pillow

Flip flops

Thin pads as well as thick pads. Maternity pads come in different sizes.

Decent breastpads like the lanolin ones

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blitzen · 16/03/2019 13:46

Thank you very much for such brilliant suggestions everyone! I am over the moon with your ideas! I have started to look online already so will share some links to let you know what I have chosen. Grin

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blitzen · 16/03/2019 13:50

Hi @canonlyhopexo, congratulations to you and hope this thread helps with some treats for you too. I think all your suggestions are great. Think I will go for a tracksuit. I'd never normally wear one but I've seen this one on ASOS and it looks comfy and pretty fly too I reckon!

www.asos.com/prd/11683531

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blitzen · 16/03/2019 13:58

Hi @Florencenotflo, great suggestion re posh microwave meals, thank you! I am not sure me getting loads of batch cooking done is going to happen, as much as I'd love to. Feel like I have so much else to sort out before I get there.... you have reminded me to prioritise defrosting the freezer! It could rival the arctic right now and I need the space in there.

Also great idea re some quick makeup. I don't mind going bare faced if it's just me and my dh in the house, but as a rosacea sufferer I tend not to be seen in public without a full face. I already have some bb to try and just never got round to doing it so will give that a try. I am also interested to try cc cream having read up on it this morning. I don't think I will have the time or inclination for my usual routine once dc arrives.

Although I love pampering, I've never actually had a pedicure. Sounds like I need to get one booked in!

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WonkyDonk87 · 16/03/2019 14:04

Netflix is definitely necessary

Pj's/nightie with EASY access (I prefer something I can yank down with eyes half closed as opposed to buttons)

A bedside light/lamp with the 3 settings of light so you can have it dimmed.

Isotonic drinks for the first few days.

Lavender oil for the bath to aid healing Wink

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canonlyhopexo · 16/03/2019 14:05

@blitzen thanks lovely. There are loads of great ideas on here that I'm definitely going to think about. Your choice of tracksuit looks great! definitely still fashionable but cosy too. Reading what you said about rosacea, I have suffered so badly with acne for a long time and only in recent years has it cleared and made a massive improvement but I've got so many scars and don't feel comfortable being around DP family with no makeup!! I've got a BB cream which i do use on lazy days and it's quick and easy but does cover well. I'm thinking I might treat myself to an eyebrow wax and tint and maybe lashes in the run up to birth so at least in the first few weeks (and in pics as well) I look a bit more with it! I feel like I've got loads of stuff to do as well and not much time even though I'm only halfway through my pregnancy.

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