Prep for birth/recovery

[Novella12]

Hello,

Early days for this as I'm not due until November but I'd ideally like to start adding this stuff to shops over the next few paydays to spread the cost out a bit.

What will make life easier/make me and baby more comfortable in the early days? What do you wish you had had to hand? I'm thinking along the lines of medicines, toiletries etc but can be anything.

I need to start right from scratch as we have no medicines in the house at the moment (not even paracetamol) so I would be very grateful for all ideas!

Thank you 😊

Congratulations!

I cannot recommend spritz for bits highly enough, really helped sooth my stitches

I also loved lillets maternity pads

I didn't get a peri bottle and just used a cup to wash after using the toilet but it was a faff and in hindsight I think one would have been useful

A massive stash of biscuits! For the first few weeks I used to make a massive cup of tea settle dd on the feeding pillow and just breastfeed for most of the morning watching Netflix and eating custard creams. It was utter bliss!!

Tucks witch hazel pads, I really liked the disposable frida mom pants because I find stick in towels really uncomfortable and the tena ones didn’t have enough stretch for my belly, a peri bottle, good quality breast pads - the lansinoh ones are really good and stay in place and cook/Charlie Binghams meals for the freezer!

@highhoo and @fyn some fantastic ideas here, thank you!

For you: breast pads, maternity pads (or just heavy duty night ones) and painkillers. Needed more than I thought/bought.
For baby: saline nasal spray and digital thermometer.
Plus anything that makes self-care faster ie. Dry shampoo, face wipes etc.

@serafinarose thank you so much, really helpful

My best advice is to forego maternity pads and get some incontinence underwear 😉 soooo much more comfortable! The pads are very thick so it feels like sitting on a folded towel....

You'll probably need some kind of pain relief so it's good to make sure you have the essentials at home :)

Also some dried prunes........ 🤷🏻‍♀️ or you can get lactulose from the pharmacy later on if things get bad

Glycerine suppositories for early days poos
Basket of nappy change stuff upstairs and downstairs
Belly support band/belt to get muscles together and feel more supported when moving around
Paracetamol for afterpains
Raspberry leaf tea or capsule to encourage uterus shrinkage

This is my diaper changing bag (missing some doggie bags, they tend to be cheaper than baby ones)

The big cotton pads I find are the best 🙂

Lanoline based nipple balm if you want to breastfeed.
Consider getting a pack of ibuprofen in as well as the paracetamol. Check with your dr or midwife after the birth, but you can take both at the same time for a few days if paracetamol alone doesn’t cut it for the pain.
Make sure you have a thermometer for adults and another for babies in the house.

I was prescribed lactulose (a mild laxative) in my third trimester anyway, but it still needed it for a week or so after birth.

Amazing, thanks all this is really helpful! Lots of things coming up that wouldn't have even crossed my mind!

Nipple pads
Nipple cream
Maternity pads - the thick and the thinner ones, I liked the boots ones. I also liked the thicker ones for the first few days when things were more sore
Peri bottle (Amazon) squirt whilst you wee so it doesn't sting and helps clean the area
Ibuprofen
Paracetamol
I second the above comment of biscuits! And easy food for the first few days, close to my due date we bought cheese, pate and crackers, crisps and fruit etc for easy dinner (I also really craved pate!) We had a few days with my second basically in our nest in bed (pandemic no visitors) so it was lovely just doing skin to skin and eating snacks rather than big meals
Big drinks bottle for when your stuck under a sleeping baby. If you bf it makes you super thirsty.
Long charging cable for hosp as plugs are usually ages away from the bed
Nappy caddy - one upstairs one down so you have everything you need to change baby, change of clothes, nappies, wipes etc in one place.
Nail scissors/clippers for baby, my 2nd came out with tallons 😂
I'm pregnant with my 3rd and trying spritz for bitz and prep your peri this time but can't comment on if they work yet
Also recommend following the naked doula on insta, she's fab!
x

Try and fill up your freezer with easy stuff that you can just heat up and eat.

Incase you have a c-section, get some stomach control pants. They helped me feel much more secure after my c-sections, and you can stick a panty liner to the front where your scar is.

Tip from my DDs doctor, if you’re scared of nail clipping an infant, get a glass nail file. Did this and liked it so much more. A digital thermometer, and a snot sucker device are also good to have.

Other than that I’d say witch hazel pads, peri bottle, a lot of pads in varying sizes bc you’ll use them for at least 3 weeks, and some paracetamol for home while the reverse contractions pull things back up. If you’re planning to breastfeed you might want the nipple pads, I pumped and they were never needed so not sure they’re entirely necessary for everyone. I also never used the nipple balm I got.

I’ve also heard that getting the little rolling 3 level cart on wheels and stocking it with all the first few day supplies so you can move it where you need is helpful.