https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 12 Apr 2026 09:51:19 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/postpartum-care-what-are-your-musts/page/2#post-2649190 Mon, 07 Nov 2016 13:22:20 +0000 hellobeeboston 2649190@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Goldengirl: it's not the best time, but it's not too terrible either - don't worry!</p> <p>I didn't see anywhere in your list having <b>Colace</b>, but I would definitely recommend to take daily.... That was one of the only things the hospital didn't send me home with - so it was good to have on hand. </p> <p>I also preferred the Always Overnight extra thin pads over the hospital ones, much thinner and very absorbent.</p> <p>My hospital gave me - dermaplast spray, spray bottle, ice packs, extra pads, extra disposable underwear, tucks, and a few other things. I purchased a sitz bath with my first, and used it again after my second - it really helped. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/postpartum-care-what-are-your-musts/page/2#post-2649137 Mon, 07 Nov 2016 12:04:59 +0000 snowjewelz 2649137@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>-Pads vs Depends<br /> I was fine with thick pads I took home from the hospital </p> <p>-Tucks pads<br /> I ordered some (and got some from hospital), didn't really use them </p> <p>-Ice packs for your lady bits<br /> Didn't use</p> <p>-Earth Mama bottom spray/other similar products<br /> I got this foaming thing from the hospital that I sprayed onto the pad before putting it in</p> <p>Listen... I had pretty bad tear AND they had to cut me to get DD out... But I honsetly recovered a lot better than expected! I ordered all these gear, and took home so many things from hospital (including a sitz bath) and I barely used anything! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/postpartum-care-what-are-your-musts/page/2#post-2649088 Mon, 07 Nov 2016 10:55:29 +0000 Goldengirl 2649088@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mdf106: Thanks, that is helpful! After reading through all these responses I've decided just to hold off on getting stuff and see how I do rather than have a bunch of extra things hanging around I might never use. Hopefully it won't be too awful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/postpartum-care-what-are-your-musts/page/2#post-2649051 Mon, 07 Nov 2016 10:08:19 +0000 mdf106 2649051@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an episiotomy with my first, and a tear with my second, but both recoveries were really easy. My only absolute must haves were regular maxi pads and a peri bottle. I got the peri bottle from the hospital. While I was in the hospital I used mesh undies and bigger pads, which were necessary, but not after I got home. With my first, I did use ice packs, dermoplast, and tucks pads (on top of regular pads), as well as ibuprofin. I think these things were not necessary, but the nurses scared me that the pain would come, but it never did (except my nipples). I did have to run out for more nipple care items in the first few days at home. With my second delivery, my only significant pain was from afterpains (cramping), which felt like regular but painful period cramps. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/postpartum-care-what-are-your-musts/page/2#post-2648915 Sun, 06 Nov 2016 21:44:47 +0000 Anagram 2648915@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catlady: nah. I feel like with *most* people, your tears are better (or less bad? if that's a thing) with every subsequent delivery. I guess things get more....stretchy down there? :shocked: Mine were 2nd degree tears both times, but the second time, it was even less of a big deal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/postpartum-care-what-are-your-musts/page/2#post-2648892 Sun, 06 Nov 2016 20:15:56 +0000 catlady 2648892@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know if this is normal but I got most of my supplies from the hospital. The only things I bought were pads and stool softener. The hospital gave me a peri bottle, some pads that I think were like tucks, and some sort of cooling spray. There was still lots left over when I was discharged so I just took them home with me and never needed to buy anything else. I had a 1st degree tear and a few stitches.</p> <p>This thread is making me wonder if I should stock up this time around though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/postpartum-care-what-are-your-musts/page/2#post-2648829 Sun, 06 Nov 2016 16:11:10 +0000 looch 2648829@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The only thing that I wold add is to see if you can get some disposable pads, I think they're called chux pads, so you can put one in your bed and on the couch when you sit. </p> <p>I used a reusable one, it was technically for a crib, but it was a lifesaver. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/postpartum-care-what-are-your-musts/page/2#post-2648767 Sun, 06 Nov 2016 13:33:20 +0000 gilmoregirl 2648767@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly I had a 3rd degree tear and lots of stitches and my recovery was pretty easy. I guess I was just lucky but I didn't feel like I needed a ton of stuff. </p> <p>I used maxi pads, stool softener and lots of ibuprofen. I didn't leave the hospital with tons of supplies but I had enough to get me to day 2 at home. Hospital gave me a peri bottle which was great but I only ever used water in it.</p> <p>Nursing pads were a must though because of all the leaking. I wish I'd had some nipple cream but used coconut oil in a pinch until Amazon brought me new stuff. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/postpartum-care-what-are-your-musts/page/2#post-2648679 Sun, 06 Nov 2016 08:27:25 +0000 Goldengirl 2648679@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catgirl: that's a great idea about the photos and so something I would do!</p> <p>@Silva: thanks for saying it wasn't awful... all I'm hearing is the bad stories and it's freaked me out a little :)</p> <p>@sunnyday: the kotex ones are the ones I got too so hoping those will be enough! I only have one bathroom so shouldn't have any issues with needing double anything... one perk of a small place I guess. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/postpartum-care-what-are-your-musts/page/2#post-2648665 Sun, 06 Nov 2016 08:00:19 +0000 sunnyday 2648665@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe I've been lucky, I'm in Canada and the hospital (both times!) was great in letting me stock up before I went home.</p> <p>To your list, and I think anyone's list...what is essential to one, may not be used for the next person! It's so hard to know.<br /> -Pads vs Depends -I used, and then took home lots of the giant hospital ones, then to kotex overnight (purple bag?) massive ones worked fine.<br /> -Tucks pads... did you use them? Not sure what these are!<br /> -Ice packs for your lady bits... Did not make/attempt or miss them.<br /> -Earth Mama bottom spray/other similar products -did not use/know it existed!</p> <p>Peri bottle as previously mentioned was a biggie. I got one from the hospital the first time, second time asked for a second. Especially good if you have bathrooms on different floors, having to remember it when you are hurting is not fun! </p> <p>I was sent home with enough pain meds and stool softeners for the first two weeks, and found that was sufficient for pain and those first poops!</p> <p>I have had two vaginal births with one stitch for the first one. Due with #3 in two months! The only thing I did buy for #2 was more cheapie undies/granny panties, just put my norm ones away and used the crappy ones. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/postpartum-care-what-are-your-musts/page/2#post-2648616 Sun, 06 Nov 2016 01:35:04 +0000 Silva 2648616@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>To add to the list of things to consider (although I've been over prepared twice now- definitely depends on how your delivery goes!)- this time the hospital gave me these disposable heat packs to wear to help manage after birth cramping and they were awesome. It made the swearing worse but my cramping was awful and it helped soothe the pain. </p> <p>Stool softener, ibuprofen, peri bottle, pads (I used overnight pads the first few days and at night but once the bleeding lightened up I liked wearing these organic pads that are much thicker than regular pads- it added cushioning!)<br /> I also liked having tucks pads but actually used them for wiping (especially after pooping)</p> <p>My best advice is take it easy and don't rush it. It's best to just sit and rest as much as you can. If you are going stir crazy go for a walk to the mailbox. With my first I was able to rest a lot and only bled for three weeks. Not possible this time and it took five weeks. But don't be too freaked out- I had only a teeny tear with like one stitch last time and no tears this time. Definitely swollen and sore, but it wasn't awful.<br /> Good luck!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/postpartum-care-what-are-your-musts/page/2#post-2648606 Sat, 05 Nov 2016 22:45:36 +0000 Anagram 2648606@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Goldengirl: Maybe just start with the absolute essentials and then get more if you need it? I bought so much, based on lists I'd read here and felt so dumb when I didn't use it. I still have these frozen pads 3 years later--sometimes I let my kiddos use one as an ice pack, haha. But they were pricy compared to a few ice cubes in a ziplock! I bought the Earth Mama bottom spray and didn't like the herbal smell. I used it a few times and could smell it on me long after I left the bathroom. Not cool. And it didn't cool as much as the Dermoplast anyway. Only used it a few times and then put it away in favor of the Dermoplast. Didn't use the sitz bath I bought...never even unwrapped it. I didn't get hemorrhoids with either pregnancy, so I bought the Tucks and then had no real need--and they sort of stung my stitches, so I didn't want them near my hoo-ha anyway.</p> <p>Both times, I was out and about on short trips to the grocery store/Target within 24 hours after getting out of the hospital. So you can pick things up yourself, if need be. You don't wanna be walking all day if you end up with stitches, but small outings are totally fine/painless. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/postpartum-care-what-are-your-musts/page/2#post-2648600 Sat, 05 Nov 2016 21:54:13 +0000 catgirl 2648600@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Goldengirl: so I love being prepared and I was worried if I didn't feel up to going out to pick up supplies after birth DH wouldn't know what to get. So I went out and took pictures of things I thought were likely to be needed - that way DH had a visual. Easy enough to just pop down a couple of extra aisles on a regular trip to the store. It worked out well because the hospital sent me home with a lot of stuff and I decided I didn't need some of the rings I thought I might. DH appreciated being able to get the right thing without having to guess. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/postpartum-care-what-are-your-musts#post-2648597 Sat, 05 Nov 2016 21:42:34 +0000 Goldengirl 2648597@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsrain: @Anagram: hmm yah maybe it's better to wait. I love being prepared because it makes me less anxious, but also hate wasting money. Not like there aren't drugstores nearby to grab stuff in an emergency situation! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/postpartum-care-what-are-your-musts#post-2648596 Sat, 05 Nov 2016 21:41:05 +0000 Goldengirl 2648596@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrswin: yah it seems we Canadians don't get as much stuff especially in the big cities. I will try to steal as much as I can! Good tip about the dollar store, I'm right near one so can easily get stuff from there if needed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/postpartum-care-what-are-your-musts#post-2648595 Sat, 05 Nov 2016 21:40:35 +0000 mrsrain 2648595@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The only must-haves I had for both were dermoplast numbing spray (blue can), and giant pads. I found that buying the overnight pads designed for bladder issues were by far superior to period pads. Peri bottle, witch hazel pads, etc were all provided by the hospital so I ended up with too much. If I were to do it again I would set up an Amazon order and only order what I needed after getting home.</p> <p>Eta: two vaginal non-medicated deliveries, one labia tear the first time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/postpartum-care-what-are-your-musts#post-2648565 Sat, 05 Nov 2016 19:48:24 +0000 Anagram 2648565@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Goldengirl: with both babies, both times second degree tears, all I needed were pads with wings, the 1 peri bottle the doctor gave me, and 2 cans of Dermoplast.</p> <p>I bought so much more and didn't use any of it. So much wasted money.</p> <p>Now...bfing stuff was a different story. I had so many problems I bought every product invented and used it all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/postpartum-care-what-are-your-musts#post-2648556 Sat, 05 Nov 2016 19:16:08 +0000 Mrs. Goose 2648556@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ditto to what @ Erinbaderin said. I bought witch hazel and had some pads, but I ended up with a csection. I had planned on making padsiclea but then didn't and was glad I didn't. I'm in Canada and I just took home extra mesh underwear and a peri bottle. The underwear was my favourite and I accidentally found out you can wash and dry them and reuse. Next time I will take tons home. I used the peri bottle just to easily keep clean. </p> <p>So must haves for me were: thicknpada, the mesh underwear, Tylenol and Advil. I never took any stool softeners and was fine but I guess that isn't a normal experience. I did make sure to eat some prunes and my sister made me a beet salad when I was in hospital, but I was fine the day after surgery for digestion and bms luckily. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/postpartum-care-what-are-your-musts#post-2648547 Sat, 05 Nov 2016 19:02:31 +0000 pachamama 2648547@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh, one thing, extra sheets. The night sweats I got were INTENSE, as I flushed out my hormones, I'd wake up soaking wet for weeks!!! I kept a change of clothes by my bed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/postpartum-care-what-are-your-musts#post-2648545 Sat, 05 Nov 2016 19:00:56 +0000 pachamama 2648545@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a very easy delivery and recovery as my son was 5lb12oz,. I didn't need much, just pads. That warm water bottle thing the hospital told me to use just hurt, I never used it! I did also have a good husband who fetched me everything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/postpartum-care-what-are-your-musts#post-2648537 Sat, 05 Nov 2016 18:46:43 +0000 erinbaderin 2648537@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Goldengirl: If you're in Canada the hospital sends you home with nothing. That being said, I invested in all this stuff and then had a C section and didn't need any of it. Don't spend too much money in advance, you can always have your partner run out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/postpartum-care-what-are-your-musts#post-2648514 Sat, 05 Nov 2016 17:18:21 +0000 mrswin 2648514@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Goldengirl: I am in Canada and the hospital will give you almost nothing! I got one pair of mesh underwear, a peri bottle (life saving!) and a sitz bath from the hospital. </p> <p>Essential for me (vag delivery, 2nd degree tear) was<br /> - large pads (overnight with wings)<br /> - stool softener<br /> - peri bottle<br /> - Advil<br /> - puppy pee pads (aka chuks pads), I bought these from the dollar store! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/postpartum-care-what-are-your-musts#post-2648510 Sat, 05 Nov 2016 16:38:02 +0000 newlypregnantlady 2648510@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The only thing I'll add is a sitz bath and stool softener!!!! </p> <p>I bought depends but never used them because they were way too "rough" feeling and hurt me a lot. I used the big hospital pads and then switched to regular maxi pads. </p> <p>I made those frozen pads with witch hazel and only ended up using like three or four (I had a bad second degree tear, almost third but not quite). I did end up with a few of those in my bra during engorgement though. </p> <p>Tucks pads were essential. I had hemorrhoids from pushing and so I used the pads on my hospital pads and also to wipe after those scary pp bowel movements. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/postpartum-care-what-are-your-musts#post-2648508 Sat, 05 Nov 2016 16:29:21 +0000 LemonJack 2648508@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Goldengirl: I would make the pads ahead of time. I forgot how I made them, but I found directions online and it was really easy. I didn't end up using many of them, but I will still do the same thing ahead of time this time too, just in case. I don't want to worry about trying to do it in a sleep deprived haze. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/postpartum-care-what-are-your-musts#post-2648504 Sat, 05 Nov 2016 15:39:06 +0000 Bernieboo 2648504@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Everyone's advice is pretty spot on!! I wish I had asked for extra ice packs from the hospital because they're really easy to use, just crack them, put them in your pad, then remove after thirty minutes. We are doing cloth diapers, so once I got home, I (carefully, gently lol) used the sprayer we installed instead of a spray bottle and it was amazing! Sometimes I would just sit there for a minute or two because the cool water felt so good!<br /> My biggest piece of advice is to keep on top of the constipation. I'm really susceptible to it and the narcotics in the hospital made it much worse. Take your stool softener!! Next time, I will start taking miralax the day I get home too. I was miserable after a week and didn't start taking miralax until it got really bad.<br /> Good luck!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/postpartum-care-what-are-your-musts#post-2648502 Sat, 05 Nov 2016 15:27:02 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2648502@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a cesarean.</p> <p>My hospital provided everything I needed and I left with at least another week's worth of goodies. </p> <p>-Stool softener<br /> -Recipe to go poo: tea steeped in hot ginger ale &amp; prune juice<br /> - mesh undies (used full coverage when I ran out)<br /> - extra long &amp; wide pads<br /> - Peri bottle (I don't recall using it, but we used it to clean LO after his circ) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/postpartum-care-what-are-your-musts#post-2648482 Sat, 05 Nov 2016 14:07:13 +0000 KayKay 2648482@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a 1st or 2nd grade tear with my LO1, and a small one with my LO2. </p> <p>I took the mesh underwear and one peri bottle from the hospital. No need to buy separately unless you wanted multiple to have in different bathrooms. For the underwear, once I ran out, I just used my regular underwear (I had bought a couple extra pair of black ones!), nbd.</p> <p>After I got home, I just used regular pads. Like the heavy flow/kinda long ones, but not overnight.</p> <p>I used the Tucks wipes. Mostly just for actual wiping, not so much for soothing. And I did have some of the Bottom Spray stuff with LO2 -- it was cooling, which felt nice, but not really a necessity.</p> <p>For an ice pack, we got one of the soft-cover/gel ones from Walgreens. I would just sit on it. I also took whatever they would give me of leftover ones from the hospital, and for LO2, they actually just used newborn diapers with ice cubes in them for ice packs...which clearly you can make at home. Despite having a small tear, I didn't actually ice ever at home after LO2.</p> <p>All that to say, for my soon-to-be-here LO3, I'll just be making sure I have some pads, the Bottom Spray (leftover), a pack of Tucks wipes, and the ice pack (leftover). And plan to bring the peri bottle home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/postpartum-care-what-are-your-musts#post-2648481 Sat, 05 Nov 2016 14:06:46 +0000 bees_knees 2648481@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Some great advice here! I would like to add that I wouldn't splurge on the Earth Mama bottom spray. I had some and didn't really use it. But I also had a 3rd degree tear so I went straight for the big guns (dermoplast). My hospital provided the dermoplast, mesh underwear, peri bottle, and some huge pads. I prefer using the Always Infinity Overnights after the first couple days, since they are thinner! Also. Stool softeners. Buy some and TAKE THEM. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/postpartum-care-what-are-your-musts#post-2648479 Sat, 05 Nov 2016 14:03:02 +0000 Goldengirl 2648479@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone! I feel like there are a few things I should stock up on now. What's the best way to make the padsicles and is that something I should do pre-labour or wait to see after? I don't have witch hazel/have never used it but am sure I can find some somewhere. I don't plan to use the dermoplast since I don't like the ingredients in there so will probably skip that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/postpartum-care-what-are-your-musts#post-2648478 Sat, 05 Nov 2016 13:57:15 +0000 autumnleaves 2648478@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it's great that you are already aware of the potential headaches postpartum. I was clueless and it made everything harder.<br /> With my second I prepared for the worst and didn't need everything I got - I had an easier recovery. For me it's better to be prepared than not.<br /> I didn't use Depends - I just had a bunch of heavy pads and that worked fine for me. You can get one of each and see which one you like.<br /> Definitely make padsicles, buy colace or something like it.<br /> I liked the padsicles more than the tucks but tucks can come in handy when you are out of the padsicles. I also found using the creme vs the pad was better for me.<br /> The hospital should supply you with the ice packs and some heavy duty pads - try to get as much from the hospital as possible.<br /> Good luck! </p>