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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

What was useful after birth.

75 replies

qazxc · 23/05/2014 16:31

hoping for a vaginal birth. What tips/tricks/items did you find useful post birth for the dealing with stitches/bruising/soreness etc....
People tell you a lot of symptoms of labour and what to expect during birth but not really after. Please be frank, nothing is TMI.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

BeginnersLuck · 23/05/2014 16:35

A water bottle with a sports cap to squirt at yourself as you pee, to stop it stinging.
Lansinoh nipple cream.
That's all I can remember, I'm afraid.

BlingBubbles · 23/05/2014 16:36

Make sure you buy loads of black cheap knickers you will need them.

combusti · 23/05/2014 16:36

I didn't feel it was too bad. A bit bruised and sore, and felt "loose" for a day or two. I am maybe not the best person to ask as I had no stitches or tears, and was back having sex on day 10.

AnythingNotEverything · 23/05/2014 16:41

More maternity pads than you think you'll need.

Cheap black knickers (easier to chuck than wash - I got through 2 pairs in 5 hours of labour!)

Lansinoh.

Clean pyjamas/comfy clothes to change into.

I had stitches but had no stinging when going to the toilet.

Sweetmotherfudger · 23/05/2014 16:46

Lots of nurifen/paracetamol.

A good box set to take your mind off it!

I also showered every time I needed a wee so a nighty that's easy to get in and out of.

Stay in bed as long as possible!

fillie · 23/05/2014 16:48

You may need a squashy donut shaped cushion, I did, after tearing and stitches etc, I found it essential so I could sit comfortably.

Rubberstamp · 23/05/2014 16:49

You see, I found that I didn't need any maternity pads - I just used Always nighttime long ones and they were fine. Only bled for 1ish week and not heavily at all so I had loads spare. I also didn't leak milk ever despite breastfeeding so had an excess of breastpads!
Also had episiotomy + stitches first time but it really wasn't painful to either wee or poo. Second time no stitches, no pain, no bruising, nothing at all and also completely fine. I was back playing a very physical sport 7 days later.
You may be surprised and find it better than you expect! I always expect the worst though so can only be surprised.
Both times, I definitely felt that I didn't truly feel myself again until after I'd stopped breastfeeding at 5 months both times.

combusti · 23/05/2014 16:51

Don't bother with maternity pads. I found them quite old fashioned, thick and not very absorbent.
Go for super absorbent night time pads ( which are longer) and thinner than maternity ones.

combusti · 23/05/2014 16:51

Sorry rubber- x posted re pads.

RubberBulletKisses · 23/05/2014 16:54

Diclofenic worked better for pain from stiches than paracetamol and ibuprofen, I found. I didn't have any stinging when I wee'd though, luckily. YY to big knickers and plenty of pads, you'll want to change both regularly. And loose, comfy pyjamas/nighties...can't think of anything else right now. Oh, and don't freak out too much at passing clots, the nurses are only really bothered if they're bigger than your fist

MooseyMoo · 23/05/2014 17:00

Have your maternity pad stash at top of your bag so your DH can find it easily for you when you put pants on after birth (to get to shower).

Vaseline - if you remember (unlike me) put Vaseline on baby's bum so it makes cleaning of first poo easier (it's like tar).

I used Always with wings for 1st layer then Kotex night pads (black packaging). They are v thick and found they cushioned my aching bits well. I had 2nd degree stitches with my first.

I found changing my pads after feeding baby was a good routine and stopped any leaks.

When home, best way to dry bits after bath/shower was with a hair dryer. My DH walked in once and was and I was

widdle · 23/05/2014 17:00

Please don't use the super absorbent Always thingies - maternity pads are thick and cushiony for a reason!! Normal panty liners can cause infections.

Lizzy1975 · 23/05/2014 17:00

Tea tree oil in a cool bath - eased discomfort in the first few days. Bruising mostly as I only had a couple of stitches. Those cooler things you can stick in the freezer for bruises, too.

combusti · 23/05/2014 17:01

"Normal panty liners can cause infections."

Do you have a link to that information?

MTWTFSS · 23/05/2014 17:04

Obviously not for everyone, but I made loads of meat pies before labour that I kept in the freezer. After having the baby I had no energy and I found it so useful to just put one in the oven and have it for lunch :)

missmargot · 23/05/2014 17:23

My midwife advised me to take regular baths with a few drops of lavender oil and a cup of milk (to help the oil emulsify) to help my stitches heal. They were sore for a few days and I bought some pads from Amazon with witch hazel in, they are marketed as for being for haemorrhoids I think but they worked wonders.

WaitingForMe · 23/05/2014 17:25

Distilled witch hazel is wonderful. I applied it to my pads.

SizzlesSit · 23/05/2014 17:29

Water bottle for when you pee. Pat yourself dry with a maternity pad and then use a fresh one in your huge granny pants.

A stretchy feeding bra for when your milk comes in. It hurts but only 24-48 hours and a tight bra does not help!

widdle · 23/05/2014 17:29

No link combusti - my MW told me not to use them in the first few weeks as they are more likely to cause sweating and bacteria build up (because of that plastic backing they have - which maternity pads don't)

I had forceps and stitches though and bled pretty heavily for 2 months so maybe that was why they advised this - not sure.

widdle · 23/05/2014 17:30

Just reading that back - too much information maybe

TheTruffleHunter · 23/05/2014 17:31

I know you're hoping for a vaginal birth - so was I but ended up with a C-section and my big granny pants were exactly the wrong shape/size and came up right into the wound with the elasticated top. Fortunately the woman in the next bed had spare up-to the-boobs huge pants and took pity on me when the midwife scolded me for my stupidity

So my advice would be take the biggest pants you can find!

KenDoddsDadsDog · 23/05/2014 17:33

I was told the same about Always by my MW.
Lots of chuck away big pants, I also got some fab cotton harem trousers from H&M basics that were really comfy.
Arnica gel for fanjo bruising (had forceps)

Lorelei353 · 23/05/2014 17:34

I found that even thinner maternity pads gave me thrush because they're plastic-backed and it was very hot so all the moisture etc. just caused issues. I also found the thick maternity pads nice and cushioning on my stitches.
I was recommended the sports bottle too but I never had any stinging so didn't bother with it.

Marnierose · 23/05/2014 17:35

Moist toilet tissue.
Lavender and tea tree oil
Lansinoh on prescription from your gp.

SociallyAcceptableCookie · 23/05/2014 17:38

I poured water over myself every time I used the loo even though it didn't really sting. It helped keep me clean because I was bleeding so much.

Definitely have comfy clothes and it's nice to have "nice" comfy clothes for when visitors come. I had a navy velour track suit that wasn't usually my style but at least it didn't look like I was wearing my oldest pyjamas.

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