Quick & Dirty Advice for those About to Pop
February 8, 2006 by kate baggott
Filed under Infancy
Someone has to tell them what no one else will!
I know there are a few readers of this blog who are about to pop, so I want to get some quick and dirty advice to them fast.
Notice I said “quick and dirty”?
Warning: I am talking about blood, piss and all the other galmorous things that happen after a body gives birth.
If you’re taking too many bags to the hospital, take out the relaxation CDs and put in a peri-bottle to use in the bathroom. You can get the real thing at a pharmacy or use a sport water bottle. Just test it to make sure you can squeeze it and squirt water out the spout. You need this to send a stream of water over your perineum when you urinate for the first week after the birth. Otherwise, it will feel like hot acid is being poured over an exposed wound…mostly because that is what it is.
While we are in the bathroom, let’s talk about poop. Your system is in shock after birth. Hormones, injuries, and memories of pushing can create a terrible case of constipation. I will admit to being too scared to strain, but post natal constipation is best dealt with sooner rather than later. Try to relax on the toilet. Bring a cushion to hug against your middle. Remember, if you can push out a 6, 7 or 8 lb baby, you can push out a…well, you know what I mean. If you haven’t gone number two within 48 hours after giving birth, ask the doctor or midwife for a little help. A suppository or fibre drink won’t be metabolised into your breast milk.
Now for the blood. Post birth bleeding is not like menstrual bleeding. For the first day or two, it is more copious and thinner and for the first day you need something like a diaper liner or “bladder control” pad. If you are at home and soak more than two pads in four hours, get to the hospital!
After the second week, the blood is more like the last day of your period. It will stop for several hours or a full day only to start again. When the blood stops, you will find you are still leaking lochia, a yellow or white discharge. The whole drama lasts 6 to 8 weeks. I stocked up on pads, but I had bought my usual brand. During the second week after the birth, I realised that my usual brand was probably still great for my period every month, but not for the 6 to 8 weeks after birth. I didn’t need the super absorbency, the dry weave lining or the moisture-locking core. In fact, too absorbent, too dry equals too uncomfortable. What I needed (and you might too) is something softer, more like a little mattress. In other words, cheap old-fashioned pads that feel like cotton.
The best part about finishing this entry, is that I can now block it all out of my memory with all the other unpleasant parts about giving birth.
Any other warnings only a new mom can tell a just-about-to-be new mom?
Gee thanks – the wonders to anticipate!
Oh sweetie, the best thing to come out of your body will be the baby.
After that, it’s the same shit as usual.
The best advice I got was about breastfeeding – that it’s not always easy, that it can make the nipples a bit sore (it shouldn’t hurt if the baby’s latched correctly, but let’s face it, those first weeks are times of learning for both mother and baby) and it can trigger contractions (a good thing, as it helps the uterus shrink back to its normal size – that was a surprise to me, I thought the contractions would be over with the birth!) Breastfeeding is so worth it, if you can make it through any rough patches. Give it 6 weeks, and then if you want to wean, do so without guilt (well, no new mom needs any guilt, breastfeeding or not, but you know what I mean). I believe if most moms make it to six weeks, they will want to continue!
I hear you Susan. Those contractions are called “after pains” and the sucking does help the uterus shrink, but they should only happen for the first few days.
You know, I think breast feeding does count as a mother’s wellness issue. Not only does it help with weight control and hormone regulation, but it is also so much less work. Think about it. Breast milk (unless you’re pumping) doesn’t need preparation, heating or bottle sterilization. It’s always ready, always the right temperature and there is always just enough.
I, for one, prefer rolling over to feed the baby at night and then going immediately back to sleep without leaving my nice warm bed. No turning on lights and stumbling into the kitchen.
Not only that, but breast milk is free. So once everyone else’s needs are met, there might actually be some money for mom to take care of herself and I need that savings to pay for the massage I am going to get some day.
Thank you for sharing this, um, graphic but informative post with the carnival. LOL! All kidding aside, it is very acurate and may help those who do not know what to expect.
Nursing a baby hurts for the first 40 days (at least) whether you’re doing it right or not. That would be my piece of advice.
Oh, and if just finding out you’re pregnant, see a midwife to deliver the baby. I had NO problems with my baby delivered by a midwife. My first, by a doctor? I needed this post.
Hi BBM! I didn’t notice that nursing hurt for the first 40 days, but I do believe it can.
I think if women are frantic or stressed, than it can hurt, expecially if the baby isn’t taught to flip his or her lip out, but really, except for the contractions it causes for the first few days, there really needn’t be any pain.
So true. I loved the sitz baths and ice packs for several weeks after having baby. Also stock up on Lanisoh if you are breastfeeding, and some comfy nursing pads, because if your nipples get sore, you don’t want them rubbing up against anything, trust me
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Hiya! I’ve never been pregnant, but I’m currently dealing with weeks-at-a-go spotting courtesy of my shiny new IUD, and I thought I’d share what’s helping me survive: washable pads. I get mine fromLunaPads . They’re cotton fleece with a thin plastic lining, so they don’t chafe at ALL. And I chafe like crazy if I wear regular pads for more than a day or two. Washable pads have the added advantage of being cheaper than disposable ones, though you do have to wash ‘em.
I have some thoughts, having just done all this again.
The best advice I was given shortly before giving birth, by a friend who had recently done the same? Do not trust hospital toilet paper. It is not soft enough. Not be a mile. Take along a roll of the softest TP you can find. Do not let your spouse use any. This is just for you. You will need it. You will need more at home, but one roll should do for a typical 2-day hospital stay.
Also, when the nice nurse offers you a stool softener? Take it. And then keep taking one a day for at least a week, longer if you experienced any perineal tearing during delivery (tears elsewhere are not as painful where bowel movements are concerned). You can but this over the counter nowadays, no need for a prescription.
In addition to one’s uterus continuing to contract for a few days, the rest of your abdominal organs will start to relocate back to their original positions (having been displaced to varying degrees by the growing baby inside). This doesn’t hurt, but can be noisy. Like stomach rumbling to the nth degree, loud subterranean gurgles. Do not be alarmed.
Ratphooey,
The toilet paper advice is priceless. I never would have even considered toilet paper.