Re: things no one tells you about L&D....

Posted by Bxgell2

Posted by MicheleMaBelle

I think I am over the possible pooping thing, I am more concerned with puking

GUILTY! I did that... just as they pulled Alex out of me (c-section). They pulled her out, exclaimed "it's a girl!" and as they were bringing her over to me to look at her, I threw up all over DH's lap

Re: things no one tells you about L&D....

This thread is great...thanks so much ladies

Re: things no one tells you about L&D....

regarding ice packs...my hospiral made them out of the newborn diapers!! You pull the lining away from the outside to make a pocket and throw the ice in there and stick the diaper between the maxi pad aned your va jay jay....it helped so much!

Re: things no one tells you about L&D....

I hope no one minds my 2 cents (because this topic always causes drama), but the one thing that no one ever tells you is how difficult c/s recovery is. I know, I know, some people have wonderful experiences and easy recoveries, but I rarely see anyone admitting that they had a really rough time; well, I did. Maybe I was just cranky because I had to shuffle half bent over to the breakfast buffet after 24 hours of liquids. Seriously, though, I never realized what was involved.

Also, you don't have to be a certain amt. of centimeters dilated (at least not in LIJ) to get the epidural; I was like 2!

And really, you don't mind who's looking at what down there when you're in the midst of labor!

Re: things no one tells you about L&D....

Dermaplast, tucks, peri bottle, sitz bath and a donut are your best friend when you have an episiotomy.

Bring snacks and a pillow for DH. I had a really long labor and DH was happy to have his own stash of stuff bc the vending machine was empty at 8pm and the cafeteria was closed.

Re: things no one tells you about L&D....

wow - this post scared the hell out of ME and I already HAD a vaginal delivery!

I just want to add that the experience is different for everyone - and no one person can tell you how it is going to be for you, so don't let anyone scare you - or think it's going to be a peice of cake just because it was hard or easy for them.

I can tell you *in my experience* I had VERY heavy bleeding - so much so that they were very concerned - and yet it didn't really bother me. After a few days -then a week it slowed down considerably - and it doesn't hurt so don't be afraid of it.

If you deliver at LIJ - take the pads home with you - I really liked them better than the pads I brought.

I had a very bad episiotomy - and although it was a little tender - it wasn't at all as bad as I thought it was going to be - and two weeks later it was still a little bit tender - but totally healed.

Don't be afraid of using the bathroom after delivery - IT DOES NOT HURT!

After you shower - you will feel like a new person.

Try not to be too scared - it takes away from the experience and probably make delivery even harder.

And last but not least - just remember whatever it is you go through - IT IS SOOOOOOOO WORTH IT when it's all over!

Re: things no one tells you about L&D....

My two cents is no one tells you honestly how bad lochia is and how gross it is, it can last for up to 6 weeks!

Also how gross your first period after the baby can be...yucky

Re: things no one tells you about L&D....

Posted by kelly4

thought I'd let you know what I learned about L&D....

if you want an epi tell everyone right away from the second you enter the hospital.... the elevator operator, custodian, nurse, Dr.... the more people that knows, the faster you will get it!

the epi is SO worth while!

Bring your own maxi pads- the hospital ones are really absorbant but don't stay put well.

also pack prepration H... It's very useful!

you will bleed A LOT! I mean tons! you will ruin all your underwear and what ever clothes you bring

you will hurt.. be really soar after the birth. your cootch will hurt and you will have difficulty moving around, especally from a sitting position to a standing position.

ask the nurse for lots of ice packs and heat packs. They will make you feel much better! Especially the ice packs- sit on them!

take any pain meds they offer. get the prescription right away. if you dont need them you dont have to take them. I said I didn't need them but when I wanted them badly it took 12 hours to get them!

pack snacks for yourself for when you are hungry at 1am

bring your own pillow.

take everything from the hospital that you can! formula, onsies, blankets... the nurse told me that she'd pack up the cart the baby is on with tons of stuff and to take it all. what was really helpful to take was the pads the nurse puts under you (on the bed) to catch any "leaks" . Also, the ice packs and heat packs- very helpful at home

if you have an episotomy- take the peri bottle they provide for you.

If I can think of anything else to share I'll updat this post.

Good luck! I can't wait to meet all your little ones!

Re: things no one tells you about L&D....

Re: things no one tells you about L&D....

Thanks for this thread ladies, it is very helpful.

I must add that now I am petrified!

Re: things no one tells you about L&D....

Someone already said this, but as soon as possible after delivery (it was the next morning for me) take a shower! You won't want to, but you will feel so much better after you do- trust me!

Get the dermaplast spray and put the tucks pads all over the pad, it helps so much. Make sure you ask the hospital for more, they will give it to you to take home so you don;t have to run out and buy it.

And someone said this too but take the peri water bottle home with you, you will need it big time.

As far as undies, I bought a bunch of huge ones to bring to the hospital that I wouldn't mind throwing away after.

Message edited 3/10/2006 8:20:36 AM.

Re: things no one tells you about L&D....

Yes this post has officially scared the bejesus out of all expectant mothers LOL BUT it's good to have the heads up

Re: things no one tells you about L&D....

i just bookmarked this post so i can read it again when i get closer to my EDD! i appreciate the heads up ladies, thanks!

Re: things no one tells you about L&D....

okay - I am totally scared now!! but wow! what valuable info on this thread. I have it bookmarked so when June comes - Im ready!

umm dumb question but - WHAT IS A PERI WATER BOTTLE??

also, evberyone keeps saying to take home all of the formula, pads and othe tthings the hospital has - where do you take these from? or do the nurses just pack you a bag or soemthing? LOL

sorry, all of this is new to me!

Re: things no one tells you about L&D....

Re: things no one tells you about L&D....

A squirt bottle that works like magic..
DO not be scared ladies.. Every delivery is different.. I only felt pain for like an hour and the after effects have not been bad at all but then you have some ladies who it was torture..
But like someone said earlier once you see your little one you won't even remember what you felt..

Re: things no one tells you about L&D....

I agree with MrsJ, this post scared me a bit - and I've had too babies without any pain medication. Remember this - millions and millions of women have given birth. Take a deep breath and think to yourself, "This is just routine".

Message edited 3/10/2006 11:35:18 PM.

Re: things no one tells you about L&D....

wow - thank you so much for explaining things to me. these little pieces of info are great to know ahead of time!!!

Re: things no one tells you about L&D....

Whoops one more thing...

Even if you are planning on nursing, sign up for every website for formula now. (Also sign up at diapers websites, etc). You'll get tons of samples, coupons etc.

I say even if you plan on nursing because you never know how it's going to go - and at one point you may find yourself supplementing. If not, there are tons of moms that could use them on the Parenting Board.

Re: things no one tells you about L&D....

I totally agree with taking a shower. They didnt let me take a shower until 2 days after I had the baby and as soon as I did I felt a MILLION times better.

If you have a c-section try to get up and walk around as soon as you can. The sooner you get up the easier it gets each time. You will need help tho, its not easy!

Also, I was SUPER scared of being embarrassed of being seen naked or anything else happening, but trust me all that goes out the window, especially if your in pain, so don't sweat it!

Re: things no one tells you about L&D....

This is all so funny...well not really, but anyone who went through it can totally relate. I agree about taking a shower...you are a brand new woman afterwards. I also agree that you should take ANY pain killers they give you...if you're in pain...demand pain killers. I also recommend sleeping pills...I had a roommate from HELL and I didn't have the pills that night...I didn't sleep a wink. For the c-section girls, WALK ASAP, the pain is bad at first, but it will get easier each time.

I also laughed when I saw that other women were embarassed to tell the nurse they passed gas. I felt the same way too... I even asked her why do you want to know... When she told me that I could finally eat, then I told her I did.

After giving birth, being naked doesn't phase me anymore. Not that I'm parading around my friends naked..but in that operating room I couldn't care less who saw me naked...just get the baby out of me!!

All the ladies will have tons of stories to tell when they finally experience it. Then you can look back and laugh at some things...

Re: things no one tells you about L&D....

I think that its important to say that once you have your gorgeous little baby, in aeek or two all the pain and trauma will be completely forgotten! You will only remember the wonderment and joy of having your baby

Re: things no one tells you about L&D....

I forgot two things...but they're good news...

Well, no one told me anything about getting a catheter...it sounds shocking, but it does NOT hurt either going in or coming out and I was scared, but no worries!

Along the same lines, if you have a c/s, you'll be stapled up (I was, is everyone?), anyhow, they take them out the morning you go home and again, it does NOT hurt whatsoever!!

Re: things no one tells you about L&D....

Some advice for c-sections-
1. Be prepared to be woken up a lot for temp readings the first night to make sure you don't have an infection or anything.
2. Get up and walk around asap! It will lead to a speedy recovery and less swelling. (I didn't and ended up taking longer to recover and was so swollen that I needed to wear clothes bigger than my maternity clothes home).
3. Don't feel guilty for not being able to hold the baby right away, or if BFing is difficult, and if it hurts to hold your new baby. It will be uncomfortable the first week, but it will get better each week!
*4. You may want to bring undies that are bigger than your normal size as swelling does occur. And you will want them to be the high granny ones so they don't sit on your stitches which can really hurt! I actually had to wear high waisted underwear for about 6 months because it was sore to the touch, but that was just my personal experience.
5. If you plan on trying to BF I would take a class to learn the football hold because it makes it easier when you have a c-section. You probably don't need a class, but I think extra support is always helpful. I took one through my hospital which was nice, because after I had my son the same lady who gave the class was in my room asking how it was going and helping me. Also don't forget to bring button down pjs. A lot of people give up on BFing when they have a c-section. I stuck with it, although I was lucky because my son latched on so easily. I also supplemented with one bottle of formula a night so that I could get some sleep. I started this in the hopsital and there was no nipple confusion
6. Take pain medication when you can. I kept forgetting because I don't usually like to take medicine and my nurses didn't give it to me unless I asked.
Definitely ask... it will make recovery easier!
7. If you are having trouble with bm, take a stool softener. I was so scared that it would hurt but I took the softener and it was no problem at all.
8. Getting the stitches out doesn't hurt at all. I was so worried about it! Didn't feel a thing.
9. I know some of you worry about the needle and having an epi. I HATE needles. I want to throw up when I see one. It was a piece of cake. They give it to you on a contraction so you don't feel a thing. I know i was very worried about it, but it was nothing
10. Don't worry about any of these posts. It is just making you prepared. You should not be scared. Having a baby is the most amazing thing in the world. All the pain and tears are worth every second! Every time you look at your newborns face all the pain just magically disappears!

Message edited 3/11/2006 8:26:19 AM.

Re: things no one tells you about L&D....