Post-Delivery Necessities

[riversong]

I'm pretty sure we had one of these threads over at the Site-Which-Shall-Not-Be-Named, but with all the account deletions and whatnot, I don't know how useful it will be now.

The random thread got me thinking - What are some post-delivery necessities? Help a FTM get stocked up! 

[flmama622]

Colace
Tucks
Big water bottle
Books on your Kindle, Shows on Netflix
White noise machine

I also LOVED the derma spray (numbing) they gave at the hospital and the water bottle. Fill with warm water and spray versus wiping (for vaginal birth anyways)

[knitnut]

Did we have any recommendations for cesearean section mommas?

[bitsybelle84]

My favorite item post c-section was my abdominal binder I got from the hospital. It supported my abs and incision site so I didn't have to worry about bracing with a pillow when I coughed, laughed or got up and down. Made it so much easier to move around with less pain.

ETA: high waist underwear/pants so they don't rub or press directly on your incision site.

[lbeez13]

Yes the spray and peri bottle that flmama622 is talking about was crucial for me.

Lanolin
Stool softener pills
Tucks
Tylenol
Large water bottle
Snacks

[bitsybelle84]

+1 to the stool softeners for vaginal or c-section deliveries. All the pain meds and anesthesia with a c-section can make it just as problematic after delivery.

[darbie914]

Feb 5, 2015 11:54:26 GMT -5 bitsybelle84 said:

My favorite item post c-section was my abdominal binder I got from the hospital. It supported my abs and incision site so I didn't have to worry about bracing with a pillow when I coughed, laughed or got up and down. Made it so much easier to move around with less pain.

ETA: high waist underwear/pants so they don't rub or press directly on your incision site.

So much yes to the abdominal binder.  It really helps in so many ways that I couldn't imagine not having one.  Even though I'm going for a VBAC this time, I still plan to wear one after delivery, as it also helped with my posture and back pain.

Other items that were essential for me (not sure if this means while still at the hospital or once home):

White noise machine
Lots of snacks and bottles of water.  Things that are easy to grab/prepare because I was ravenous while BFing.
Overnight maxi pads with wings
Boppy

[rquinlin]

Bed pads (or puppy pads) to put on your bed, couch, chairs, etc. to catch excess flows of blood when you get home. Sometimes I would get a huge rush that my maxi pads just couldn't contain and I didn't want to ruin my sheets or furniture. Lots of black pants/gowns and undies you don't mind throwing away.

[luckystarz]

Word to the wise on Lanolin, it's not terribly uncommon to be allergic to it. I am, and it makes me want to scratch my nipples of from the intense itching if I use it. Just a heads up.

If you have hemmis before or after birth, request Proctofoam that shit is awesome. It rapidly shrinks the tissue and helps with pain and itching way better than the OTC stuff too.

The vaginal ice packs are awesome, they'll usually give you some to take home if you ask nicely.

[pearsforpoops]

I don't know if you mean at the hospital or at home so I'll try to remember for both...

I had a c-section so some of this is geared toward that.

Thinking of hospital...
Comfy pants (loose sweats or high-waisted yoga pants to sit above incision)
Other comfy clothes (I swore by nursing tanks and zip-up hoodies)
High-wasted granny panties (to sit above incision)
Warm socks
CHAPSTICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lotion (my skin dried out like crazy)
Kleenex (strangely in short supply at my hospital)
Nipple cream
Breast pads
Big pads (hospital's or bring your own)
Hair ties if applicable (I had one break and couldn't find a backup and was like fuck no my hair must be tied up RIGHT MEOW)

Other shit to have while in the hospital...
Camera, phone, charger(s), something to do (iPad, etc.)

At home...
Most of the same stuff from the hospital. Ha.

My first few days at home were basically on the couch or in the recliner. Sweats, nursing tank, zip hoodie, fuzzy socks. Drinking water and fruit smoothies. Putting Lansinoh on my nipples & lips over and over. And over.

I did make sure to get Colace for home (they provided it in the hospital), and had an extra thing of Motrin for when my rx ran out.

I will say this re: c-section (as I don't know about any other way): Take the pain meds. Stay ahead of it, even after you go home. You'll thank yourself in the end. I took the Norco while I was in the hospital and then a couple days after going home. I kept taking Motrin for a few more days.

[riversong]

pearsforpoops I meant at home, but on the other hand I wouldn't have thought to bring breast pads to the hospital for some reason. All suggestions welcomed and appreciated!

[ladysnowblood]

NETFLIX

[ladysnowblood]

Seriously though, the hospital will provide a lot of the things you need like spray bottles for your vag, giant mesh panties, pads the size of Subway sandwiches, etc. Take as much as that stuff home as you can. One thing I was thankful that my mom brought that I didn't think of was a nice baby blanket because photographers came around the next day and took pictures, so if your hospital does something like that, don't forget to bring an outfit and/or blanket that you want your baby photographed in. And then of course what other PPs were listing like comfy clothes, hair ties, and such. Don't forget your charger! It's essential for Netflix! As far as when you get home, I think my biggest necessity (besides Netflix) was the boppy.

[mrsh924]

Feb 5, 2015 12:22:19 GMT -5 rquinlin said:

Bed pads (or puppy pads) to put on your bed, couch, chairs, etc. to catch excess flows of blood when you get home. Sometimes I would get a huge rush that my maxi pads just couldn't contain and I didn't want to ruin my sheets or furniture. Lots of black pants/gowns and undies you don't mind throwing away.

Good idea to the black undies.  I have been meaning to pick up a few pairs of black, so this is a good reminder.  

[snarkysparklefart]

Another option for C moms with high waisted underwear is men's briefs. It sounds silly, but the extra crotch room was more comfortable with the large post partum pads for me. My H had a pack sitting around he'd gotten as a gift (he doesn't wear briefs, so they were unopened still from the prior xmas) and I used those until I could remove my steri strips.

I didn't have a binder last time, I wonder now if I was missing out! But if you have a belly band, they can help nursing be a bit more discreet by using them to cover your belly under a non-nursing top.

Fiber one bars are a great option to help with the PP constipation and to be super handy when you're hungry and stuck nursing. I also made and froze muffins that could be nuked in 39 seconds and tasted amazing (peanut butter chocolate chip from Annie's Eats Blog if anyone is interested. She also has a great blueberry muffin recipe that I've done the same with). Lots of bottled waters or convenient drinks- gatorade was a necessity for me since I spiked a fever after I got home (literally they diagnosed me with exhaustion, so very Lindsay Lohan..)

A non slip mat and a shower chair can be helpful pre and post partum. I found a cheapie stool at big lots that made my last few showers before DD & after much easier; I easily got light headed when standing after my C. Not something I'd invest a ton of $ in, but if you have something available or find a good deal, it was worth it.

Ditto all on colace, tucks and the peri bottle, dark colored everything pants wise, and puppy pads and yoga pants.

[pearsforpoops]

Feb 5, 2015 14:28:30 GMT -5 snarkysparklefart said:

Another option for C moms with high waisted underwear is men's briefs. It sounds silly, but the extra crotch room was more comfortable with the large post partum pads for me. My H had a pack sitting around he'd gotten as a gift (he doesn't wear briefs, so they were unopened still from the prior xmas) and I used those until I could remove my steri strips.

I didn't have a binder last time, I wonder now if I was missing out! But if you have a belly band, they can help nursing be a bit more discreet by using them to cover your belly under a non-nursing top.

Fiber one bars are a great option to help with the PP constipation and to be super handy when you're hungry and stuck nursing. I also made and froze muffins that could be nuked in 39 seconds and tasted amazing (peanut butter chocolate chip from Annie's Eats Blog if anyone is interested. She also has a great blueberry muffin recipe that I've done the same with). Lots of bottled waters or convenient drinks- gatorade was a necessity for me since I spiked a fever after I got home (literally they diagnosed me with exhaustion, so very Lindsay Lohan..)

A non slip mat and a shower chair can be helpful pre and post partum. I found a cheapie stool at big lots that made my last few showers before DD & after much easier; I easily got light headed when standing after my C. Not something I'd invest a ton of $ in, but if you have something available or find a good deal, it was worth it.

Ditto all on colace, tucks and the peri bottle, dark colored everything pants wise, and puppy pads and yoga pants.

The shower was kind of scary. I forgot about that. We have a small shower but I remember now always having a hand on the wall. 

The light-headed thing is REAL. Forgot about that, too. Always got up slowly, then picked up the kid.

[snarkysparklefart]

Especially with the pain meds, right pearsforpoops!? I totally felt like a spacey feeling every time I stood, especially for long periods of time, the first 3-4 weeks post partum. But I also absolutely agree with staying on top of the pain. We had a timer to remind us of the last diaper change, breastfeed, etc- and I used the extra function on it to remind me to take my meds. The thing was otherwise useless but that ever 6 hour reminder was fantastic! (It was also helpful when I needed to wake up and pump before DDs latch got better, but I wouldn't recommend shelling out the $30 for one just for that, use your phone)

[chilibeansm0m]

As mentioned in the random thread- i prefer nipple butter over the other stuff. May want to look into it.

I second all flmama622 said. i just fill up my dvr with shows for those motn feedings.

[xmina4x]

When I was recovering from my first birth, I was using the big pads w/black undies when my mother intervened. I kept having leaking problems from shifting or just movement in general & she informed me that I should just get depends for the first week or two. Embarrassing yes (or at least it was for me) but not once did I have a leaking issue and it ended up saving me a lot of bloody laundry.

[mel7806]

Bring your own pillow to the hospital. You already know you like it and it works for you. The ones they have their are either hard or flat and the mattress isn't much better, so you might as well have something comfortable!

I second having plenty of chapstick and lotion, both at the hospital and at home.

If you are looking for post delivery things for home? Good toilet paper! Not lying! Spring for the really good stuff because you will feel every little scratch from the cheap shit and all the lint can irritate and catch on things. I also second having bed wetting or puppy pads for the couch, bed, chairs, and the car!

[Deleted]

The bed/puppy pads are good for before as well incase your water breaks. That way your mattress and car seat are covered.

[snarkysparklefart]

A pillow is also ideal for c sections. You'll need something to grip to your belly for a few days/ weeks if you cough, laugh, (fart/ first PP poop too, seriously).

[pearsforpoops]

Feb 5, 2015 15:05:28 GMT -5 snarkysparklefart said:

A pillow is also ideal for c sections. You'll need something to grip to your belly for a few days/ weeks if you cough, laugh, (fart/ first PP poop too, seriously).

To this end, I never had a binder or anything but I did wear my belly band (just from Target) for a few days after surgery. It helped me feel like my insides were going to fall out and helped with the standing, coughing, etc.

[clobert]

Feb 5, 2015 12:52:24 GMT -5 luckystarz said:

Word to the wise on Lanolin, it's not terribly uncommon to be allergic to it. I am, and it makes me want to scratch my nipples of from the intense itching if I use it. Just a heads up.

If you have hemmis before or after birth, request Proctofoam that shit is awesome. It rapidly shrinks the tissue and helps with pain and itching way better than the OTC stuff too.

The vaginal ice packs are awesome, they'll usually give you some to take home if you ask nicely.

I know I'm allergic to lanolin and am getting Earth Mama Angel Baby Nipple butter.  Can't imagine if I found out the hard way!  

[pinkpeony]

Once we got home I had sent my husband to go to the store and buy everything in the breastfeeding isle for nipple relief; cream (a few different brands to switch up), nipple shields, breast pads that you can freeze, it was all wonderful.

I totally agree with other c/s moms to take the pain meds! The pain is real and you do not need to be a hero. I could tell as I was healing that if I missed a dose and it was not fun.

Also agree with Colace and anything with fiber, the bathroom is a scary place after surgery or vaginal birth.

[klax]

For me, the vag squirt bottle was EVERYTHING. I also used naproxen for pain which was a godsend.

[pennypretty]

Feb 5, 2015 14:07:43 GMT -5 ladysnowblood said:

Seriously though, the hospital will provide a lot of the things you need like spray bottles for your vag, giant mesh panties, pads the size of Subway sandwiches, etc. Take as much as that stuff home as you can. One thing I was thankful that my mom brought that I didn't think of was a nice baby blanket because photographers came around the next day and took pictures, so if your hospital does something like that, don't forget to bring an outfit and/or blanket that you want your baby photographed in. And then of course what other PPs were listing like comfy clothes, hair ties, and such. Don't forget your charger! It's essential for Netflix! As far as when you get home, I think my biggest necessity (besides Netflix) was the boppy.

This made me cry I laughed so hard. Seriously, stahp.

[happymamax2]

Second the huge water bottle. Especially if you decide to breast feed. Breastfeeding gives you more cotton mouth than a pothead smoking weed.

[katydid2015]

FYI Zulily has some cheap belly wraps on sale today. I picked one up for $17.

[atangiblewish]

Anything with breastfeeding. I was not prepared and was in so much pain. My brother was i town and stocked up for me as I cried. Lol. Also, infinity Always pads. As you can see I didn't prep for myself. Just baby. Lol.