Postpartum essentials for vaginal birth?

[rosear]

Hi,

I need to start packing my bag soon and am not sure what essentials I need, obviously pads and the bottle, but was wondering if the cold pads are also something essential, or the witchhazel foam or liners? I have read that if you have stitches, they can irritate the area more (!?), so not sure if I should grab them or not, the same with throwaway underwear, etc?
Any recommendations will be more than welcome!
Thanks :)

Hey, I bought everything and used basically nothing. Had a grade 2 tear, didn’t even wind up needing the peri bottle.

I used hospital pads & disposable knickers for the first 24 hours (hospital pads were a different shape and massive plus super soft & not catchy on the stitches) then moved to my normal pants and big sanitary pad type pads.

The problem is, it really depends how your birth goes and how your pain is if you have stitches! If I had my time again I’d get a peri bottle, big pads & paper pants and anything else I needed I’d send DP to the shops or Amazon prime!

I got disposable knickers but didn’t really need them, the bleeding for me was just like my normal period, not too bad at all after the first 24h (and you can use the massive hospital pads until you go home). I would get a cheap pack of comfy full briefs that you won’t mind throwing if they do get stained.
More pads than you would think too because it’s important to change them often if you have stitches.

Just the pads really. The other thing I needed because of stitches was a jug to flush with water while peeing to reduce the stinging. I can’t remember if DH got one from home or if there was one available in the hospital.

Pads are a good idea. The hospital gives you disposable knickers / pads but I think looking back I'd take big Tena disposable pants as they are nicer.

Arnica cream, I don't think you can put it down there though.

Good luck 💯

Get yourself some Hall's Soothers - if you're not having an epidural, your throat is likely to be raw the next day.