Postpartum Recovery Must Haves

Your friend must be very experienced then and should let you know what worked for her!! Ask her ☺️😉

Women that don’t tear I need to know what their secret is because wow I’m so jealous! I would say though that you’ll most likely tear and nothing worse than second degree. I recommend a peri bottle (if the hospital doesn’t already provide it), large pads, sitz bath with epsom salt to help with the healing process and an inflatable donut (similar to the ones people use for swimming). The donut is because when you tear it’s very hard and painful to sit down, the hole in the middle alleviates the pressure on your vagina when you sit so you’re a bit more comfortable. You’re also going to have swelling in your feet which is inevitable, try to keep feet elevated and not stand for too long. If possible already have meals prepped or frozen because caring for yourself and new baby plus your household is gonna be crazy. Oh and most important stool softeners and laxatives!!!! Can’t stress that enough. Your first poop after birth is terrifying, take the softeners as soon as you give birth

I gave birth 12 days ago and had a 2nd degree tear. I totally agree with Everything the previous person said but I would also advise to get Earth Mama's pereneal balm (amazon) and Frida's healing foam (target). Those 2 products have been working wonders for me.

Apparently perineal massage & stretching can help reduce risk of a tear... You can find videos of how to do it & what to use literally on youtube... I'm almost 24 weeks and the thought of birth terrifies me 🤦🏻‍♀️😅

Things I have been recommended and am buying myself ;

- Cooling maxi pads (frida mom/ boots)
- perineal bottle
- Post birth compression to help with the wobbly mum tum.
- High waisted big undies
- Decent maternity bras...no under wire, breastfeeding or not.

Good luck!

Always fill peri bottle with warm water (too cool hurt a lot more than too hot). I also froze pads with witch hazel and aloe on them. Perineal massage can help but has a relatively low success rate. I was terrified of tearing. Ended up with a second degree tear and about 30 stitches. I honestly didn’t feel the tear when it happened (completely unmedicated birth), and they numbed me for stitching. It was uncomfortable being stitched. I used lots of ice packs in my adult diaper. Every day postpartum gets a little better. It’s a long process, but you can do it, and it is so worth it.

I was terrified of tearing but like Natalie said you can't feel it when you do tear. I had 2 second degree tears, one at the top and one at the bottom. They numb you for the stitches but it isn't pleasant and if you feel it let them know as I had to be topped up twice as I could feel the needle going in. Once numb it's just uncomfortable as you feel the tugging etc. Peri bottle was a god send. Sitting down and getting up was painful so just it steady. I had coccyx pain as well as tearing so it was weeks before I could sit comfortably and I just used cushions to help with that, I wish I'd bought a donut though. I was so nervous for the first 💩 post birth but honestly it wasn't bad at all. I hadn't been for a few days so I took some lactulose (stool softener) and later that afternoon I went. No pain, no bleeding, no issues. I was eating dates still and drinking plenty to help. Just remember you've got this. Your body is designed to birth your baby.

With my eldest I had a 3rd degree tear a lot of people do with baby no1 then no problems with any others, I used evening primrose oil capsules for no2 an 3 got them from Holland and Barrett popped a pin hole in one before I went to bed an put it in your vagina it helps with the skin to stretch I wish I had known with baby no 1

Best thing I bought was a grabber (like a litter picker?) Bought it for the end of my pregnancy really when i couldnt reach the floor but it was super useful for my recovery too. Also a donut cushion for sitting on the sofa (really great if you have tears/stitches/opisiotomy) and super comfy loungewear!

Definitely get a donut cushion if you tear or need ditches

Peri bottle! And big pads that can go in between the lips.

I tried to be prepared for normal delivery (did perennial massage) which is what I was planning anyway, but my OB informed me to be open minded for CS cause my pelvis is narrow. I did end up getting emergency CS, not for the narrow pelvis, but just cause it was taking long. Going 24 hours, and baby was getting distressed (Tachycardia). So I didnt have to deal with any tear.

I would suggest to buy the Blanqi postpartum underwear. Been living in them and using them instead of Bellyband. Get Lanolin balm for the nipples and nipple butter balm (I use the Lansinoh one.) for breastfeeding.