Things you wish you knew

Ladies, I’ve just been diagnosed with postpartum thyroiditis. Please read up on this if you haven’t heard of it, as it is another thing I wasn’t aware of 😬😩 It’s uncommon however it can happen. I’ve added pics of the side effects and the dr can also check for thyroid problems should you feel like you have symptoms that you can’t pinpoint a cause to ♥️

So I had many lists when packing my hospital bag of the essentials e.g. maternity pads, variety of vest sizes and clothes for Alex, loose clothing for me, wipes, nappies (just to name a few). But my godsends were: Since COVID we weren’t allowed to leave the room, so everything we had, that was it

• Exercise ball (the hospital had them so I didn’t need to take my own), it was all I could sit on during my contractions! I would lie down but cried to be up. The bouncing, moving really really did help.
• Snacks, when I wasn’t being sick or needing water I wanted snacks. I only packed healthy snacks and I really just wanted a bit of chocolate or my favourite food 😪
• TENS machine, I’m not sure how much it worked but I definitely think it took the edge of the already painful contractions.
• Lip balm, during labour my lips were soooo dry because of the gas and air so please take lip balm 😬
• Baby outfit, I’m not sure if it was the nerves or the fact it all happened quite quickly but my baby’s outfit was still in my bag when he arrived! My partner was going through the bag whilst our baby was wrapped in blankets. I was being operated on so couldn’t help, but I felt awful that I didn’t have his clothes out ready. We got there eventually but I would have wanted them out prepared if I could do it again.

If this has been helpful I can put my hospital list on too ☺️

I really wish I had of prepared myself for the outcome of tears. I wasn’t and daily it was extremely painful. I’d say my essential list would have been:

1. A very cushioned, comfortable seat (Apparently lying if you can, so you’re not putting pressure on the stitches - Not very feasible with a newborn).
2. Warm water in a squirty bottle when I went to pee, was the best thing people could have recommended!
3. Stool softener because of the tear I was petrified and ended up not going for 2/3 days after birth 😬 so these would have been a godsend!
4. Cushioned maternity pads as they didn’t aggravate the stitches.
5. Loose clothing!
6. My midwife recommended a bath twice a day with badedas. Which did help heal the wound and smells amazing. Hoping this can help others ♥️

I wish I knew that the more babies you have the worse the after pain (after giving birth) is. My last baby was baby number 4 and it was horrid. I'm due my 5th and will be more prepared. The midwife looking after me last time said "Oh yes the more you have the worse it is" Well I wish someone told me!

Please please please I can’t stress enough how important it is to have basic first aid training! Last night my baby stopped breathing as he choked on his sick and panicked. I was TERRIFIED but jumped into action, it was the most petrifying experience of my whole life 😭

I’m urging everyone to please have the training, even if it’s watching the videos on YouTube. It’s so important because it could happen at any time to anyone.

At the hospital the doctor did say that if your baby stops breathing, blow on their face and if they’re being sick but struggling, put them on their side so the secretions can flow out of their mouth.