Post birth treats

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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

Netflix subscription (I've been watching a lot of tv!), would also get amazon prime because it's amazing what you suddenly realise you need & next day delivery is fab.
Really nice shower gel - I also took it into the hospital & it was so nice to have a decent post birth shower.
Good chocolate & a chillys water bottle that keeps water cool.
When baby is a bit bigger good headphones are invaluable for listening to podcasts whilst on endless walks getting your baby to nap!!

I would book myself into once a month postnatal massages to help your body get back into shape and also for your mind and body to connect.

If you are not thinking of having a baby straight after....possibly skin tightening treatments as well.

I also bought lavender oil and clary sage oil.

Chamomile tea sipped cold is always nice and soothing.

A postpartum pillow you can get from Mothercare.

If you breastfeed, once milk has settled down a bit some bamboo washable nursing pads instead of the disposable ones - much softer and more comfortable.

Put some cash aside for new clothes once your uterus has shrunk back down - my maternity clothes were huge and made me feel shit, but my old wardrobe was a long way off fitting!

Good luck and enjoy all your lovely treats!

An amazon echo, dot or equivalent!

You will get stuck on the sofa sometimes, but at least now even if you dont have your phone, or hands free, you can check the time, play music, listen to the radio, play audiobooks, even make phone calls to other users. They can play white noise, hook them up with your lights so, you dont get trapped in the dark.

Loads of maternity pads, the thick ones! Saves getting low and having to make a run for them, we also stocked up on the boring stuff like toilet roll so we didn’t have to give it a second thought.

My skin and hair were so dry and in bad condition after birth that I did treat myself to some repairing shampoo and treatments, and some bath bits and bobs and posh moisturiser. I make sure that every day I take a bit of time (whenever in the day I can!) to have a shower and moisturise, it’s amazing the difference it makes to your mental health as well.

Hello everyone, apologies for not responding to your fantastic ideas sooner. Life gets in the way! I am on maternity leave now and hoping to get through your suggestions with my aim of creating an overall list at the end to hopefully help new mums.

Hello @wonkydonk87 your suggestions are great, thank you. I now have a gro egg thing which is dimmable and I was gifted some lovely bath oil with lavender, which I can't wait to try post birth. I didn't have isotonic drinks on my list but they're now on this week's shopping list! A great shout.

Hello @canonlyhopexo, good to hear from you again and sorry to hear about your rosacea. It can be so physically painful at times and makes me self conscious. This week is actually a good week for mine. I have purchased a cc cream from Payot - I find its 'creme no 2' amazingly comforting when I apply it as a thick overnight mask so I now have this which feels quite nice as a daytime wear: www.allbeauty.com/gb/en/1192895-payot-paris-creme-n2-cc-cream-anti-redness-correcting-care-universal-shade-spf-50-40ml?abref=GoogleShoppingCs&utm_source=%7Badtype%7D&utm_medium=FREE&ref=%7Badtype%7D&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImMjwi-304QIV0RXTCh0ROQmzEAkYASABEgIIUPD_BwE

I have also been using Espa Repair and Restore serum this week. I am a regular user of a lot of its products but I think switching now and then to a different serum or oil can help your skin: www.espaskincare.com/repair-and-restore-intensive-serum/11553617.html?affil=thggpsad&switchcurrency=GBP&shippingcountry=GB&thg_ppc_campaign=71700000050707959&adtype=pla&product_id=11553617&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI__HFiu704QIVaL7tCh32FQOGEAQYASABEgKsrfD_BwE

X

Hi @riotlady, I think your suggestion of a squatty potty is one of my favourites so far. I've long had this item saved in my Amazon wishlist but after you mentioned it, I had to buy it. I opted for a slightly cheaper version which has been great so far after a recent pregnancy constipation trauma I experienced which actually made me cry! Got my 'Squat Easy' so there will be no stopping my sphyncter now! Thank you x

Ahhhh I remember those days and miss them so so fondly. If you're a coffee drinker get some nice coffee in. I lived off the stuff and Those pjs that look like the 2 piece tracksuits so when people come to see you and the baby unexpectedly you look half decent!

Also I second the basket with essentials in. I had one under my coffee table next to the arm chair. The comfiest part of the sofa!! A feeding pillow even if you're not breast feeding lol. In my basket I had face wipes nipple pads a huge bottle of water nipple cream, hand sanitiser things like that.

Wishing you luck and congratulations x

Hello @Nat6999, some great tips there, thank you. It sounds like you had a really rough time and I really feel for you. I have now got some Aveeno to slather on. I am going to freeze some drinks too - that's genius! I also have some coconut water in the fridge and a reminder note to take it to hospital. I found that a lifesaver with nausea earlier on so it'll hopefully quench my thirst during and after labour too. X

Hi @MeadowHay, thanks for sharing your experience and great tips. I am sorry things have been difficult and hoping you have now turned a corner with your DD who will be nearly 1 by now! Apologies for taking ages to reply. Netflix is a great shout. My DH has gifted me to a subscription as a maternity leave treat which I am really enjoying so far. Lansinoh and boob compress soother things now purchased! I am well acquainted with herbal teas, including 'snore and peace' but I had not thought of some nice pillow spray. It's on my list now. Got the Ikea equivalent of the boppy. Not been able to track down the lil lets maternity towels in the usual shops and supermarkets but I will continue the search. They sound good! Thank you x

Hello again @Florencenotflo, thanks for the tip on cotingo thermal cups. I have read some glowing reviews about them. I think the West loop sound the best but they are very expensive. I noticed Tesco sell some of their similar models though so might go for them. Think they come in a twin pack which is ideal for me and dh. Thank you x

I would get nice shampoo, conditioner and dry shampoo for days when you just don't have time to wash your hair.
It is surprising how much hair you can lose.

Absolutely defo a cleaner or more hours for your cleaner if you have one already.

Someone go do your ironing.

A gardener