When we plan a baby, we have everything ready. Kindergarten looks perfect. You’ve convinced your partner that the color scheme is just right and you’ve found the PERFECT bassinet and Moses basket. Clothes of all ages up to 2 years hang fully organized in the closet and stuffed toys are tastefully scattered throughout the room. You even have a great rocking chair to feed the little bundle when they finally arrive.
Well done!! You have everything. Right;;;!!!
So what about YOU, Mom? What will you need after your baby is born?
Postpartum pads
You will need a lot of sanitary napkins after your baby is born. The reason you need so many pads is that the bleeding from your uterus (womb) will start soon after your baby is born. The blood mainly comes from the place where the placenta was attached. This means you will have it whether you gave birth vaginally or by C-section, although you will likely have less bleeding after a C-section.
Bottle About
Your body goes through so much during labor. Trust me, there will be some damage down there. There will be stretching, there will be swelling, there will be tearing, and there will be hemorrhoids!
Keeping perineal stitches clean and dry is an important part of the healing process and reducing the risk of infection. Using one about a bottleas well as managing cleanliness, it allows you to reduce toilet discomfort by diluting urine – which can often sting in the immediate days after a tear. Adding some witch hazel to the hot water in the peri bottle can be very soothing and promote healing.
After use, dry gently. Better yet, go without underwear! Lay down a towel and lie on your side with your knees bent and together. It’s a great way to let the area breathe and heal. Just remember to close those blinds! ️
We recommend getting your own about a bottle in the hospital for immediate use. Make sure you wash it in warm soapy water before use. Place it in your hospital bag and you’ll be ready to go.
Ice Ice Mama!
Using a perineal ice pack is another way to provide the relief you need. Ninja Mama makes a pack of two perineal ice/heat packs which is great as you can have one in the freezer ready to use while you use the other. Remember not to go back to back. Allow yourself to come back to room temperature before using another pack. Heat therapy is also very helpful and many women like to use heat therapy after the initial swelling goes down for relief from their stitches.
The doctor recommended time to use ice therapy is a 20 minute window. This will give enough time to reduce the pain and swelling as well as the itching that many experience after a natural birth.
THE instant perineal ice packs they’re perfect for those first couple of days after giving birth when you still need that extra comfort. They are also ideal to take to the hospital. We recommend buying 2 x 5 packs of it instant ice packs for relief for the first couple of days and then you can move on to the reusable ones which can also be used for heat therapy if you prefer.
These ice packs are also the perfect size and shape to use on the c-section wound to reduce swelling and relieve discomfort.
Warm up those balls, mom!
Placement a heat treatment pack on the breast before or during breastfeeding encourages frustration, so it helps make the process much more comfortable for mom. It can also be used during pumping to help milk flow and encourage ejection.
These can also be used cold to reduce swelling and pain associated with breastfeeding.
A relaxing Sitz for your Ladybits, Mom!
Another wonderful relief for sore lady parts is the use of a sitz soaking. A sitz bath is a shallow bowl that you place on the toilet and sit in to soak your tender parts. Many women find it much more convenient and quicker than soaking in the tub (who has time for that when you’ve just had a baby??!). You can soak in just warm water or add a wonderful natural sitz soaking blend to promote healing and relieve the swelling, pain, and often itching experienced by postpartum women.
