to not be scared of giving birth but be freaked out...

[OnlyWantsOne]

...by the 6 weeks that follow?

I remember sitting on the loo when DD was about 5 weeks old, she was screaming to be fed, i hurt all over, feeling disgusting and hating my ruined body oozing everywhere with sore bits and being pretty fed up TBH.

So, im 39 weeks, and I have started to dread the next bit... people keep phoning me (WHY do they think that it's ok to do this??) and asking if Ive had the baby yet... and Im dreading going for a wee and it making me cry.

Or that first poo.

Oh... heck

what pain killers to get then?? I remember the afterpains... groan

Oh why oh why the f*ck did I read this thread as a first timer at 35 weeks

Sparkly Rainbow don't worry. Gas and air is your friend.

Sparklyrainbow:

I will be honest - It hit me like a brick and I was a very, VERY big mess after the (realatively easy though hurt like a bitch at the time) birth for about three months. BUT I have friends who sailed through pragnancy, bith and motherhood with a freshfaced glow and smile at all times.

It is different for everyone. Just do the best you can, be pleaseed if you find ANYTHING easy, and please do not be afaraid to ask for help with anything if you are strugelling.

Oh, and have a jig on the bathromm so you can pourwather over your bits while you pee!

Let us know how you get on :)

JUG! Not jig whilst peeing. That WILL hurt!

I agree with the posters saying that the second time around is much easier. You know what you are doing, your body knows what its doing. I know it is generalising but frankly my second birth was a doddle compared to the first and everything else that goes with it, eg stitches, the first poo (took 10 days first time, next day the second time around - sorry if tmi) is so so much easier. Try not to worry - courage!

toddler would also be messy :o

Sounds gross but i found it easier to pee in the bath, mostly for the first morning pee's. just run a few inches to cover the whole area with a drop of the lavendar oil or the other one which has been mentioned but can't remember what it's called.

held some tissue against the area in between when first did poo, but appreciate the ideas for a softener. I also drank raspberry leaf tea building it up during the last week, my whole labour from start to finish was less than 12 hrs with #1 am hoping #2 will be even quicker.

I'm 37 weeks now with DC2 and it's just hit me what's about to happen!

DS already 4 and the whole baby stage just seems so long ago I can't imagine being back there. I've had a tantalising glimpse of life as mother of 'grown-up' school-age child... and then I'm going right back to square one.

And I can't imagine how I'm possibly going to juggle new baby with current routine - which includes early starts and long school run.

I think that's what's freaking me out more than the birth or the sore bits. (Although I'd forgotten the poo issue - thanks for reminding me!)

Oh well. It'll all be worth it I'm sure. : )
Good luck and happy pooing ladies!

You'll be fine, honestly

Get a water bottle with a sports cap on and put water and lavender oil in it. Then when you pee squeeze the bottle in the direction of your fanjo, it helps the stinging - honestly.

been to tesco stocked up on drugs :) and a large cheap plastic jug for the bath room...

all will be fine won't it :)

OWO it'll be fine. :o

I have to say, with stitches I did what ILikeToMoveItMoveIt did and it really really worked,especially with lovely luke warm water!

cant i just wee in the shower?? I remember last time using the hair dryer to dry myself too

Oh yes - first poo dread. Just have to remember to drink loads and eat fibrous things (easier said than done when you've been making up for lost time with those forbidden cheeses).

As for first wee - do it in the bath - esp if you have a HB.

And those dark, lonely moments in the middle of the night. One of the things I don't like about BF - that I'm on my own doing it.

dried apricots
Tea tree oil and lavender oil in bath
Arnica tablets
Gin
Something to occupy ds while you are bfing - dvds?
Orange juice
Lovley pjs and cosy hot water bottle
Loads of massive pants from primarni you can bin

I am 31 weeks 1st pregnancy and can I ask - what's wrong with the first poo?!! I'm scared now! Would it be best that I didn't know?

Oh no - didn't mean to freak you out. It depends if you've had stitches I think.

I have three times - and really you don't want to be straining.

I had tons of stitches with all three births but the aftermath of the second birth was so much easier than the first and the third was easier still, even though I had the worst tear with DC3 - perhasp it's just knowing what to expect or the faster subsequent births mean you bruise less and so its quicker to heal.

Anyway, I would still only eat fruit for the first day or so. And drink lots of water. Best of luck! And congratulations, siblings are fab

The good news or the bad news? Good news - birth and pooing etc much better with DD2. Bad news - afterpains were just like labour pains with DD2, I remember asking mw why they didn't warn me, she asked "Why? What would the point be?"

Get some kiwi in- its a natural laxative (apparently especially if you eat the skin too) and will make that first (and subsequent) poos much quicker easier!

Sorry not read whole thread [bad Mumsnetter]

Second time round was vastly different for me.

Birth, breastfeeding, general feeling of well-being ALL easier.

I did have a little tear with DC2 (think I went down an old scar from DS1 episiotomy) but it wasn't half as painful as with my first stitching experience.

As for the pooing?

I did not give a shit (haha) asked for some Lactulose the morning after I gave birth and I was fine.

Aw, honestly, you'll be reet!

(er now reading the thread - YY staranise, I had more stiches and felt less pain and had less bruising too!)

Lady firenze thank you. I'm expecting second at 20 weeks and driving myself to distraction that it's going to be as bad or worse than the first. Your comment had me laughing so hard my sides hurt and the first time in a week I've felt the muscles in my face relax. Fanjo..lady garden... you've just a wonderful way with words!

Co-codamol = your friend. Fine for BF, AFAIK. (Well, I was given it and was BFing.) I still have some left over from my EMCS with DS and am so glad it's barely in date. 39+2 with number 2 so will be taking it again, CS or not.

First poo wasn't unbearable, but it did take 6 or 7 days to come. Very good advice I got was to put feet up on a low stool while pooing. It did actually work to somehow relieve the pressure on the sore bits and made it easier to do.

I bought (but didn't use as had a CS) some gel pads you can put in the fridge and slip into knickers to sooth your bits. I handed them on to a friend who said they were a godsend after her vaginal birth. Might buy again.