"Cynthya was our doula for the birth of our third child in April 2016. As this was my third birth, and I had been attended to by a doula at the first two, I knew that finding the right doula was crucial to a successful and satisfying birth." - Winter Wheeler-Young
Postpartum Expectations and Must-have Items
To help you prepare for an easier postpartum time and a speedy recovery after birth, here are a dozen comfort suggestions and must-have items to have on hand following either a surgical or vaginal delivery.
In addition to filling your freezer with nutritious meals, lining up pet sitters, and daily help from family and friends, you'll want to stock up on postpartum supplies to have on hand upon your discharge from your birthing facility. Below are a dozen comfort suggestions to help you prepare for an easier postpartum time and a speedy recovery for both surgical and vaginal deliveries.
This post does NOT include any affiliate links for the below suggested items used for an easy postpartum recovery. We are sharing these links to help you prepare for parenthood. Also, here is our recommended gift registry for infant and breastfeeding gear that you may copy on Babylist to prepare for your baby showers. Happy Shopping!
After care items for a vaginal birth:
Epifoam
If you receive stitches on your perineum, you'll likely receive a numbing spray called Epifoam while in the hospital. If you need more after your return home, ask your doctor if Dermaplast (over the counter) is an acceptable alternative.Sitz baths
This plastic tub is placed directly on the toilet rim (seat up) and you sit on it as it circulates warm water on your bottom via a tube connected to a bag you fill from the sink. This helps clean your bottom, may encourage urination, and will help with healing. Many women find it very comforting. Follow this with an ice pack! (Insert sigh of relief!) Your hospital may offer you a sitz bath or you can find this at your local pharmacy.Peri-bottle
Following the birth of your baby, you will be given a small plastic bottle filled with warm water. Use it to squirt on your bottom as much as necessary to help encourage urination and dilute the sting caused from urine. Once your bladder is empty, squirt your bottom again gently with as much water as necessary to help clean your bottom. Then PAT your bottom dry with hospital wash cloths or toilet paper. Take your bottle home with you or buy a few to keep in each of your bathrooms.
For both type of deliveries:
Doughnut-shaped pillow or wedge (V-shaped) cushion
Called coccydynia or coccygodynia, tailbone pain usually goes away on its own within a few weeks or months after childbirth. To lessen pain while sitting, use a doughnut-shaped pillow or wedge (V-shaped) cushion. Try a dollar store pool tube!Witch hazel or Tuck's pads
Found at your local pharmacy, witch hazel is an over the counter astringent, which can be used to help shrink hemorrhoids. Most commercial bottles of witch hazel contain alcohol so it may sting with direct application. TJ Dickinson's is a brand that sells pure witch hazel. It may take you some time to locate TJ's unless you shop at Whole Foods. (You may want to try the wipes, Tuck's pads, or Preparation H.) If using the liquid, you can make a “padcicle” by soaking a pad with witch hazel and placing it in a clean Ziploc bag then freezing it. Once frozen, remove it and wear it as normal. Many women find this very comforting for their swollen, sore bottoms – especially after a vaginal delivery.Senokot
A gentle vegetable-based laxative called Senokot may be offered to you at the hospital. You can also find it over the counter at your local pharmacy. It is generally well-tolerated (doesn’t cause intestinal cramping) and takes effect within about 12 hours, so it’s usually taken in the evening.Colace
To help with those first few postpartum bowel movements, you may want to try Colace, a stool softener, during the first several days. Once you are eating/drinking somewhat “normally” and soreness has subsided, you may wish to stop taking these medications. Both can be taken on an as-needed basis in the future.Maxi Pads (overnight/heavy flow with wings)
Bleeding for the first 6-8 weeks following delivery is normal. It is called Lochia (LOW-kee-uh). It will begin as very heavy, bright red bleeding that will gradually diminish to a dark red, brown and then to a more yellowish color. During this time period, nothing at all should be introduced to the vagina. Only wear pads, cloth/reusable or disposable, no douching, and no sexual intercourse until the lochia flow has stopped and you have been cleared by your provider."Granny" or Mesh Panties
At the hospital, you will use mesh panties to hold your pad and ice pack. Bring the mesh underwear home with you or have a pair or two at home. If you've had a c-section, try the C-Panty. Here’s a listing of postpartum panties to find the right type for you.Ibuprofen Pain Reliever (Motrin/Advil)
6-800mg of ibuprofen will be brought to you every 6 hours in the hospital, along with some crackers. This medicine will help with cramping, and will also help with inflammation “down below.” Most women find the ibuprofen is enough to manage their pain, but if you are still experiencing a lot of pain, ask your nurse for something else (usually taken in conjunction with the ibuprofen). You will be sent home with a prescription for the 800mg tabs of ibuprofen.Nursing Pads
When you nurse your baby, you will experience what is called a “let down”, which is simply the release of milk from your breasts at the same time. When you hear your baby cry, you may also leak milk and appreciate wearing nursing pads. Both reusable/washable and disposable pads are available for purchase. If you don't plan to breastfeed, you'll still need pads for a bit of time as well as a head of cabbage kept in your fridge.Nipple Cream
In the first few weeks breastfeeding, your nipples may get a bit sore. Nipple cream by Earth Mama Angel Baby or Motherlove will help soothe and heal the affected areas. Alternatively, you could try organic coconut oil.
It Takes A Village
You will need to build your village of support people. It’s important for BOTH parents to seek out support from other parents – not just friends, but other people who have kids and “get it.” Both men and women experience postpartum depression. Read this to be able to recognize the signs of postpartum anxiety and depression.
Find a support group NOW so you know who/where to turn to for help. You can always call your doula or care provider if you need suggestions. We're here for you.
Finally, you may wish to arrange a lesson with an infant care specialist for hands-on guidance on newborn care. Doing so will help ease your transition to parenthood. Best wishes!
Prenatal Exercises and Birthing Positions for Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction
Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) can make walking or sitting difficult, and sometimes extremely painful, affecting approximately one out of four pregnant women.
A condition called Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) occurs when the ligaments that keep your pelvis aligned during pregnancy become too relaxed (due to the hormone relaxin) and causes excessive movement of the pubis symphysis. This can make walking or sitting difficult, and sometimes extremely painful, affecting approximately 1 of 4 pregnant women.
It is recommended that women with Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction give birth in an upright position with knees slightly apart. Another option is the all-fours position, keeping the knees close together. A waterbirth may be preferable as water allows buoyancy that can support the joints. And soaking in a warm tub is divine during labor!
Pelvic Floor Squeezes, Stability Exercises, Inner Thigh Stretches, Pelvic Tilts, Back and Side Stretches
Symphysis Pubis Disorder is not harmful, but it is painful. There are exercises to relieve SPD. If any exercise seems to cause you more pain, stop immediately. If your pain lasts or seems to get worse, talk to your obstetrician. For info about rehabilitation, prevention, and reoccurrence management of SPD in subsequent pregnancies, read this article which includes stability exercises.
Watch the below video for how to give birth more comfortably with SPD. Additionally, strengthening the pelvic floor muscles will help to stabilize the spine, support the pelvic organs, and prevent incontinence.
Maternity Care in America: Midwifery Model of Care
Although not everyone needs the skills of a surgeon at their births; every woman can benefit from the presence of a midwife. Read more thoughts by Nuria Nelkin, certified nurse-midwife at North Fulton Regional Hospital in Roswell, GA.
How does society view pregnancy and birth? How do YOU view pregnancy? How do YOU view birth? Is it automatically an illness/problem? Are pregnant women ill, weak? Is it a natural state of the body? Can things go wrong? When are interventions appropriate?
The belief and attitude towards pregnancy and birth as a normal part of life versus an illness waiting to happen is the basis between the medical versus midwifery models of obstetric care. The short answer is, NO. Most pregnancies are not a medical problem. Because there is always a possibility of complication during the amazing transformation of a woman growing a person, it is sensible to monitor pregnancies closely to be able to recognize potential or actual problems, and refer to appropriate providers (that can manage a higher risk/problem) as needed.
“Although not everyone needs the skills of a surgeon at their births; every woman can benefit from the presence of a midwife.”
Approximately 90% of births in the U.S. are attended by physicians (National Vital Statistics Reports, 2014). All women do not need a surgeon to directly manage their pregnancy, labor, and birth. Physicians/surgeons are taught how to analyze situations by identifying a medical problem and solving it. Labor and birth don’t always need that type of analysis or intervention. The midwifery model approaches pregnancy and birth as a normal process until proven otherwise.
Midwives are taught to educate women about the process of labor, birth, and motherhood and help a woman manage labor and birth, while also having the skills to identify complications. They are taught to handle small complications and identify which ones they need to send on to a physician. Sometimes that means using their amazing, life-saving surgical skills; sometimes it does not. Although not everyone needs the skills of a surgeon at their births; every woman can benefit from the presence of a midwife.
Midwives and obstetricians working as a team is the perfect answer. Having hands-on care treating pregnancy as normal unless it presents otherwise, and involving the obstetrician/physician in the care if concern arises, gives women high-touch, low-intervention care unless otherwise necessary.
About the author Nuria Nelkin, CNM:
After working as a nurse for several years and experiencing the pregnancy and birth of her second child, she knew that to pursue a career in midwifery was her calling and dream, and completed her MSN in Nurse-Midwifery at Frontier Nursing University. Nuria is also a wife and mother of two young, active boys. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, and exercising.
References:
Liljestrand, Jerker. Midwives are Essential to Global Health. Time Magazine. May 5, 2016.
National Vital Statistics Reports, Volume, 64, Number 12. Births: Final Data for 2014. December 23, 2015. Obstetric Care Consensus. Levels of Maternity Care. Number 2. February 2015.
Related articles:
5 Labor Tools for Partners
The Most Common Complications of Childbirth
AROM: To Break or Not To Break
Labor Comfort MeasuresAlong For The Ride: Embracing The Roller Coaster of Motherhood
PART 1 OF 3, THE HOLISTIC APPROACH TO CHILDBIRTH AND POSTPARTUM
Part 1 of 3, The Holistic Approach to Childbirth and Postpartum
by Stephanie Finn, Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Registered Nurse
In this series of posts I would like to share with you some things to consider when searching for pediatric healthcare setting. First, I will share a little background about myself and few personal insights from my experience with having a doula and snippets from my postpartum journey.
I entered the scenario of prenatal care and obstetric services as a pediatric nurse practitioner. In addition to managing my own unique health concerns and wanting the best for our baby, I had several years of education and experience as a nurse working with children under my belt. I have witnessed first-hand the concerns of parents fraught with so many important decisions to make in a short amount of time, albeit a precious emotional time. This spans everything from breastfeeding issues, formula selection, vaccination concerns, treatment side effects, potential surgeries, food allergies, mental health concerns, you name it. I knew that I needed to provide my body with the most healthful foods and supplementation, exercise, meditate, pray, and stay centered and at ease throughout the turbulence that can surround pregnancy and early motherhood. Pregnancy is a joyous time, and although we are designed to carry and birth children well, it can be particularly demanding for mothers juggling work, caring for other children, or managing health concerns. With all of this in mind, I began my search for a doula.
First, I must say, I am so thankful to have a loving and supportive husband, who took great joy in helping me with decisions surrounding our birthing day. This was huge! For those in a relationship, having a doula can bring a lot of relief and support to both you and your significant other. Not every mother will have this support—and as I see it, doula care is even more valuable in these situations.
Although I have a handful of very close friends and family who have walked beside me in the best of times and the worst of times (incredibly thankful for them), and very kind extended family members, there was one key piece missing for me during my pregnancy, and more so postpartum: Nearby family-the ones I grew up with so close to me.
“We all share the desire to connect with those close to us and to fulfill our needs and matters of the heart.”
My mother and the close-knit family I grew up with do not live in the same state as my husband and me. This was disheartening for me as I longed to share more special moments as a new mom with them. Even though they are not extremely far away, I missed the communal aspect of being near them. Growing up with a large family full of women and children, I was blessed with the joys of engaging in frequent chats around my grandmother’s kitchen table, having tea on the back porch, time to vent frustrations with family and share our joys, laugh together, and most importantly, do this with those who knew me well as a person. I realized this interaction was so much a part of my norm and integral to my being. While it did not dampen my joy and gratitude surrounding the blessing of a baby, this need became so apparent during my pregnancy and journey postpartum! I’ve heard many mothers relate to this need in varying ways. Whether one’s family is large or small, the key is that the support network must be one that is relatable and unique to the mother. It’s her village, her sustenance. Though the circumstances are unique to everyone, we all share the desire to connect with those close to us and to fulfill our needs and matters of the heart.
Social support has been reported to be a buffer to postpartum depression. What social support means is individual. While one mom may need a few weeks to bond with her new baby with one or two significant others around, another may prefer a more extended network of visitors around. Many new moms may need to make arrangements to visit family, and some may need to warm up to visitors or childcare situations. A new life has shifted from the inside of her body, to the outside world; she has evolved, and there is a beautiful yet major shift taking place during this time. This precious time is not without some degree of vulnerability.
“Ensure the new mother is comfortable and has the conditions she needs to heal physically, rest, and bond with her baby.”
The common thread which is important to keep in mind postpartum is to ensure the new mother is comfortable and has the conditions she needs to heal physically, rest, and bond with her baby. Baby needs mom to be supported! I vividly remember our doula encouraging us to make choices that would be conducive to mother-baby well-being and our health as a growing family, regardless of outside pressures.
The experience of missing family postpartum, being extremely exhausted from breastfeeding and the accompanying sleep deprivation (along with expected hormone shifts) certainly granted me moments of feeling anxious. It’s quite the adjustment. To date, my sweet little one has spent more time in my womb than outside of my womb. The motherhood rollercoaster is just beginning!
My heart is full. I am happy to say that with a supportive husband, an encouraging doula, awesome healthcare provider, a supportive employer and a handful of close friends and family as advocates, I truly ended up with the support I needed. Despite the longing for back home, I was able to stay afloat and keep from spiraling into postpartum depression. Support showed up in unexpected places.
The good health and smile on my child’s face was more than enough to keep me going on days when sleep was out of reach. I had to be proactive to create time and space for what I needed to take care of our baby and myself. Also, I reminded myself that there are gracious and understanding people who have been there. Moms, do not lose sight of this! Thankfully, from the beginning I had the most joyous bond with our baby girl. My heart has stretched with welcoming our greatest treasure into the world, and also for new moms out there who are in the throes of postpartum hormone swings or depression.
“I had to be proactive to create time and space for what I needed to take care of our baby and myself.”
We can all help pregnant women and new mom’s seek out the support they need. Be proactive. Ask, and do not assume what they may need or what they should be doing. As the old saying goes, “Mother knows best.”
As you navigate the world of pregnancy and postpartum, be true to yourself and trust your inner guidance. Reach out for the care that YOU need to be healthy, and fully embrace it. Trusting that you are doing what’s best for you and letting go of the rest will become easier with practice. Pray about it, meditate on it. Find your advocate(s), and extend this custom care to your child and family.
In my next post, I will share a few things to look for in a healthcare setting for the bundle of joy that is entering your world! Soon to follow I will be sharing more details about my birthing day!
Stephanie Finn is a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Registered Nurse at CentreSpring MD.
Read Part 2 of 3: Holistic Care For Your Child After Using A Doula
Related articles:
How To Avoid a C-section Without Changing Hospitals
Consider Hiring a Labor Doula
Childbirth Classes Have A Measurable Impact On Birth
So You Need An Induction, eh?
I believe women (actually any person) should be able to whole-heartedly trust their doctors. We want to believe our doctor is doing what is in our best interest – and they should be.
by Lauren King, Registered Nurse, Certified Lamaze Educator, and DONA Labor Doula
Photo By BirthYearBook
I feel the need to provide a disclaimer before I delve into this topic. I am not saying all doctors, midwives, or other medical staff are bad. There are definitely a lot of really great medical personnel out there. But just like anything in life, there are always a few bad apples.
I believe everyone should be able to whole-heartedly trust their doctors. We want to believe our doctor is doing what is in our best interest – and they should be. But I don’t think it’s a secret that there are doctors that sometimes do things in their own best interest. The question is: how do you know? As a non-medical person, how does one know their doctor is top-notch, and not suggesting every intervention, hoping for another nickel in their pocket, or hoping to be out on the golf course in an hour?
Of course, the obvious response here is: talk about your options with your doula from The Happiest Doulas, and we will do everything we can to help you achieve the beautiful birth you want and deserve. But equally as important is to be educated. You don’t need a nursing degree or a medical license to make important medical decisions, but you do need at least a pretty basic understanding of some of the top decision areas. And for everything else, ask lots of questions. Specifically, discuss the B-A-R with your provider: benefits, alternatives, and risks. When discussing pros and cons about procedures (especially induction) a great question for your provider is, “What research do you have about that topic?” or, “Where can we get more research-based information about that to help us make a decision?”
I’ve written before about inductions, but this is a topic that comes up a LOT in my classes. Plus, it’s the topic that really gets me started, gets me up on my high horse, my soap box… and it is hhhaarrrddd for me to get off it! “My doctor wants me to have another ultrasound next week because the baby is measuring big,” – and as a bonus to that one, “And if I don’t deliver by my due date, the doctor wants to induce me.” “My doctor said my amniotic fluid level is low.” “My doctor told me I need an induction because I conceived through IVF.” Ok, well, I don’t actually know what the literature says specifically about IVF, but just in my personal OPINION, it doesn’t make sense to me.
"I whole-heartedly believe in inductions for medical reasons for mom or baby’s health." - tweet this!
Let’s talk about the reasons for induction, though. There are actual medical reasons for induction, and I whole-heartedly believe in inductions for medical reasons for mom or baby’s health. What I don’t believe in is disguising a convenient induction in medical terminology. Here are some medical reasons for induction, according to ACOG: pregnancy that continues 1-2 weeks past the estimated due date, high blood pressure, uncontrolled gestational diabetes, an infection in the uterus, or a baby who is not growing properly (IUGR). This list is not completely exhaustive, but “big baby” and even “low amniotic fluid” (by itself) are not included in the list of medical reasons for induction.
I’ll discuss those two things in a later post, but for now, let’s discuss induction for postdates (going past your due date). Do you know what “EDC” or “EDD” stands for? Both start with E for estimated. (EDC stands for “estimated date of confinement”, in case you didn’t know.) A point I made in one of my classes recently was this: do you always have a 28-day cycle? Do you know, for a fact, that you ovulated on day 14 when you got pregnant? Do you know, for a fact, the exact date you conceived? (Ok, so some can truthfully say ‘yes’ here.) So, I went on to say: Did you all walk at 12 months? Did you all crawl at 7 months? Did you all roll over at 3 months? My point is that just as we all grow and develop at different rates Earth-side, so too do our babies grow and develop at different rates in the womb.
Due dates are calculated based on an archaic formula, called Naegele’s Rule, which assumes every woman has a 28-day cycle. Even then, the man behind Naegele’s Rule, Frederich Naegele, was not the original “inventor” of “how to estimate the length of human gestation.” It was an 18th-century professor of botany and medicine, Hermann Boerhaave, who developed the formula. Am I the only person who thinks this whole business of calculating a due date deserves a little more visitation by the research and medical community?!
Many Are Mislabeled as "Post-Term"
I do a lot of reading to keep up with the newest information. One of my favorite places to get information is from Evidence Based Birth. Rebecca Dekker, the author, just published a very extensive article on the evidence for inducing for going past your due date. She touches on Naegele’s Rule as well, but one thing she wrote really struck me. She wrote, “using the LMP [last menstrual period] to estimate your due date makes it more likely that you will be mislabeled as “post-term” and experience an unnecessary induction.” The reason for this is just as I stated above: not everyone’s cycles are cookie-cutter perfect! Even if a woman does ovulate on day 14, if she conceives that month, the embryo may not implant for several days! I was so thrilled for this article to come out, I wish everyone could take the time to read it word-for-word; however, I realize it is lengthy. I encourage you to skim it, and if nothing else, read the section “What’s the bottom line?” found at the end of the article.
"If a woman ovulates on day 14, and conceives that month, the embryo may not implant for several days." - tweet this!
So that you have more time to read that very important article, I’ll go ahead and end now. I hope this has given you some valuable information and resources. Next up, I’ll discuss why doctors induce for “big baby” and low amniotic fluid, so come back soon!
