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@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.
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@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.
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.
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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.
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!)
I also liked having tucks pads but actually used them for wiping (especially after pooping)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.
Good luck!! -
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.
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.
-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.
-Tucks pads... did you use them? Not sure what these are!
-Ice packs for your lady bits... Did not make/attempt or miss them.
-Earth Mama bottom spray/other similar products -did not use/know it existed!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!
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!
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.
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@catgirl: that's a great idea about the photos and so something I would do!
@Silva: thanks for saying it wasn't awful... all I'm hearing is the bad stories and it's freaked me out a little
@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.
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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.
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.
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.
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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.
I used a reusable one, it was technically for a crib, but it was a lifesaver.
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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.
This thread is making me wonder if I should stock up this time around though.
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@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?
Mine were 2nd degree tears both times, but the second time, it was even less of a big deal.
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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.
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@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.
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-Pads vs Depends
I was fine with thick pads I took home from the hospital-Tucks pads
I ordered some (and got some from hospital), didn't really use them-Ice packs for your lady bits
Didn't use-Earth Mama bottom spray/other similar products
I got this foaming thing from the hospital that I sprayed onto the pad before putting it inListen... 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!
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@Goldengirl: it's not the best time, but it's not too terrible either - don't worry!
I didn't see anywhere in your list having Colace, 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.
I also preferred the Always Overnight extra thin pads over the hospital ones, much thinner and very absorbent.
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.
Mine were 2nd degree tears both times, but the second time, it was even less of a big deal.
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