Top Ten Postpartum Essentials
October 6, 2006 by kate baggott
Filed under Labor & Delivery
You’re preparing to give birth. You’ve packed a little case full of tiny clothes. You’ve got some pyjamas and, probably, some relaxing CDs to listen to in the birthing room. Preparing to give birth, you’ve probably spent more money and received more gifts than for all the birthdays of your life combined. And you have probably packed slightly more baggage than you take on a two week vacation. It’s pretty ridiculous considering most of you will probably be in the hospital for less than 12 hours. So what is essential for your own care after the birth and what can you leave behind?First of all, the CDs can stay behind. Use them at home to keep you calm when the contractions start. When labour is really in full-swing, you’ll need even the passive energy you spend on listening, and when that happens the last thing you will want to hear is Sarah McLaughlin or a pan flute. Secondly, bring a comb, but leave the curling irons, hair dryers and make up at home. At the finish line of a marathon, you don’t see runners reaching for some mascara to freshen up before the medals ceremony. Nor, after giving birth, will your first concern be about a deep conditioning treatment.
Instead, make sure you have these things on hand for your own care.
10. Chewing gum. One study has shown that it helps get women’s systems moving again after a c-section. Who knows, it may just help women after a vaginal delivery too.
9. Apricot, pear or peach nectar. Not only will you be in need of fluids after giving birth, but you’ll also need to help guard against constipation. Keep a bottle of one of these on hand for when you want something that both tastes better than prune juice and doesn’t require a prescription.
8. Calendula cream. It wards off diaper rash, it helped me with my dry skin after constant hand washing and it prevents diaper rash. It is the only product I have total and complete faith in.
7. Big, cheap, soft maxi pads. Really. You’ll be wearing them for weeks and super absorbent pads will just dry your skin out down there. And there are going to be enough problems down there already.
6. An old plastic sports bottle or peri-bottle. Really, you need to dilute the pee that comes out of your body by pouring water over your perineum for about 5 days after you give birth.
5. Your prenatal vitamins. You may have cursed the things as you choked them down while suffering morning sickness, but you need them while you recover minerals lost while giving birth and in making good breast milk. They may also help to preventpost partum depression. Some doctors are already recommending that all women of childbearing age take prenatal vitamins all the time.
4. Witch Hazel. It’s a cheap, traditional remedy for hemorroids. Take one bottle with you and keep another at home in the fridge. When you need to, soak a cotton pad or some three-ply toilet paper in the liquid and apply directly to the piles.
3. Support hose. To prevent blood clots from lying in bed.
2. Your favourite acid-indigestion relief. While giving birth does improve the indigestion of late pregnancy, it can take a few days to a week for it to go away completely.
1. A list of phone numbers of everyone who ever offered to help you. Have the guts to actually use it. Ask for them to make you dinner, to take your older kids out or to fold some laundry!
Do you think the calendula cream would work on my cracked, eczema covered hands? I’ve tried all sorts of stuff - hydrocortizone cream, prescription ointments, Eucerin, Aquaphor, petroleum jelly, A&D Ointment, etc, etc. I’ve also switched to mild soaps at my sink. I am just about desperate!!!
Great tips Kate
Helen x
Thanks Helen.
Karen,
I don’t usually recommend products, but do try Weleda Nappy (Diaper) Change Calendula Cream. IN the US you can probably finding at health food stores. If not, email me your postal address and I’ll send you some. It comes in an orange and yellow box. It is very, very thick stuff that has moisture protection, which is important for mothers who are constantly washing their hands. I’ve found it really helpful for every skin problem the kids and I have had.
My midwife (I’m in Germany) told me to use the regular Weleda Calendula cream (in the green and white tube) on my baby’s butt during a rash which was yeast related. It cleared up in no time at all! I keep some around now just in case!
Is the one in the green tube a citrus blend?
Not this one. It is really called Weleda Calendula Wundsalbe. She also had me wash his butt with Calendula Essence.
Hello,
My name is Kate Baggott and I wrote Babylune for the B5 network for two years, but I haven’t for more than a year. I am surprised to have my contact/pingback information seen here, as I do own this content but gave B5 the right to use it.
I am not sure what your agreement with B5 is, but I do urge you to take a look to ensure you are using this content legally. I do assert my right to be recognised as the author of this content.