C-section and vaginal birth mommies...

First time mommy here.... Haven't gone through the birth process yet so don't know which route I'll end up taking the day of...

Any tips and tricks for a first time mom to keep things under control "down there" and speed up the healing process? Would like to hear from both camps so I can prepare, and go out and buy things ahead of time.

Thanks!

C-section and vaginal birth mommies...

I had a c-section with my first, the most important thing I found with my incision was just keeping it clean and dry. I would shower with dial antibacterial and then blow dry the incsison to make sure there was no moisture. I would place a sterile gauze pad over it so my clothes and stuff wouldn't irritate me. I did this every day for 8 weeks. Also the big thing for c-sections is to take it easy!! I did WAY to much right away and eneded up hurting myself. It is major surgery, line up help, prep easy freezer meals and just take it easy for the first few weeks!

Message edited 9/26/2015 12:59:00 PM.

C-section and vaginal birth mommies...

I had 2 vaginal births and they give you everything you need in the hospital and you can take it home. Tucks pads, hemorrhoid cream and some foam stuff. I used that until I was pain free.

C-section and vaginal birth mommies...

They should give you everything at the hospital. Remember to take a peri bottle from the hospital, or get one for home. It's a little squirt bottle to use for washing off.

C-section and vaginal birth mommies...

I had a csection. I recommend getting some loose fitting high waisted underwear so if you have a csection, the waist band won't dig into it. Either way that you have your baby, you will bleed like a very heavy period for weeks, so stock up on pads. The hospital will give you some very long thick ones too. And I used those to protect my csection incision as well for the first few days.

Re: C-section and vaginal birth mommies...

For a c-section: I agree with the high-waisted underwear amd having thick pads at home. I usually like the thin ones but after a c-section, the edge rubbed and the thick ones were better.

This time, I plan to ask for a belly binder. My friends said it made a huge difference.

Re: C-section and vaginal birth mommies...

C-section and vaginal birth mommies...

With my vaginal birth, I used what the hospital provided and took everything home with me -- peri bottle, dermoplast, pads, witch hazel pads. I also used Depends Silhouettes disposable underwear for the first week or 2. So much easier than just using a chuck with a pad.

With the C-Section, I just used the peri bottle and the Depends. I used the Depends for the first week and by then, the bleeding slowed enough to wear regular underwear and a pad. I use breast pads to keep the incision area dry. I tried using a maxi pad but I couldn't get it to lay on the incision well enough to keep it dry. The breast pads work much better.

Highly recommend the Depends. Stonybrook doesn't give mesh underwear and from my understanding, they're one size fit some or most, not all. With both births, the nurses told me what a great idea it was to bring them.

Message edited 9/26/2015 6:21:31 PM.

Re: C-section and vaginal birth mommies...

For my csection - my doctor closed me with surgical glue so I didn't have to really worry about the incisions. It was totally closed. I used loose pants or yoga pants. I did have a belly binder which helped.

For my vaginally birth - I used what the hospital had. I wore the mesh underwear and the pads. They gave me tucks, a foam spray, and some type of gel. At home I got thicker pads than I normally use. Use the peri bottle everytime and change the pad frequently and you should heal quickly.

Re: C-section and vaginal birth mommies...

If you have a csection, as soon as possible start walking around. It will be way sooner than you think,but lying down for long afterwards is not going to help you heal. Don't over do it with steps first. You will also need some help lifting things. Get granny style underwear that don't hit the incision site. Even if you have a csection you will still bleed like a period after delivery. For one delivery it lasted about four weeks and the other about two weeks. Before giving birth, poop. Take the laxatives post csection to help you poop.

If you can get some meals made ahead for your freezer that would be good. I wore my maternity jeans for two months post c section even though I lost all of my pregnancy weight, things were still misshapen.

If you plan on nursing, get lanisoh. Ask for a lactation consultant to come to your room to show you how to nurse.

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Re: C-section and vaginal birth mommies...

Re: C-section and vaginal birth mommies...

My tip is bring your own underwear. I planned on wearing the mesh disposable ones that everyone talks about so I wouldn't ruin my own. When I requested them in the hospital, I got looked at like I had two heads and told they don't have anything like that. I had sent DH home to sleep since we had been up all night having the baby, so I had no underwear until he returned later that day. Good times.

Re: C-section and vaginal birth mommies...

Re: C-section and vaginal birth mommies...

C-section and vaginal birth mommies...

For a c-section take a million pairs of the mesh underwear. They are the best and you can toss them. I actaully washed a few pairs when I was running low and they held up ok. I didn't have any issues with gas or going to the bathroom. Maybe because they got me up walking???

Belly binder was helpful. They gave me one in the hospital and I bought one.

I needed my husband there the entire 4 days so maybe plan for that.

Mederma! My doctor told me to start it after my 2 week checkup. When the incision was closed and sticthes dissolved. I wouldn't start it until you get the OK from your doctor. But it's good to have on hand. Not that i'd rush to buy it in advance. You can probably Amazon prime it if you need it.

C-section and vaginal birth mommies...

I had my son last Tuesday via vaginal birth with an episiotomy. The numbing foam they give you was a such a lifesaver for me. I brought home like 6 cans of it. Also, the mesh underwear are surprisingly comfy and are great because you will bleed all over the place the first 2-3 days (no matter how big the pad) so why ruin your own. My bleeding lightened up a lot but I'm still wearing them now.

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Re: C-section and vaginal birth mommies...

I had a c section with my twins and the bleeding was extremely heavy! Once I got home I wore depends and lined it with a heavy pad. I think the brand was Teva (i bought those when I ran out of the ones the hospital gave me.).
The depends, believe it or not, were so much more comfortable to me than underwear. It was loose fitting and kida like a backup if the pad leaks. I wore those around the house

C-section and vaginal birth mommies...

I had a vaginal birth and tore. Stocked up on the dermoplast from the hospital as per my friends advice. Thank God I did bc it didn't feel right for months and I went through all the bottles I stole lol

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Wow thanks for all the info! Especially the fact that even with a c-section you will continue to bleed down there like a period - did not know that, good to know beforehand!

OK mentally preparing for this overwhelming experience lol

Dumb question... elizarags, what is this chuck you speak of?

Re: C-section and vaginal birth mommies...

Just had a csection and tubal a week ago got up next day (cath was in for 24 hours) and just took it slow its getting easier every day ... I stocked up on big pads the whole 9 but I bled for 3 days lol ... Breast pads you'll need for leakage (tight sports bras if your not breast feeding)... High waisted undies or at least to or over belly button

Had a vaginal birth with no tearing (tareing?) and bled for two weeks so needed the stock pile of pads ... Something to clean when you go to the bathroom such as a spray bottle with which hazel.. ( going to the bathroom stuuuuuung with my vaginal birth with no trauma aside from actual baby going through the canal... They do give you most things in hospital you'll need

My nurse called chucks the super maxi pads and also used it for like the puppy pad they put you on top off lol

Message edited 9/29/2015 2:42:53 PM.

Re: C-section and vaginal birth mommies...

Message edited 9/29/2015 2:45:24 PM.

C-section and vaginal birth mommies...

I had a vaginal with an episiotomy. Sitting hurt like a m***f*** until I learned the trick of squeezing my buttcheeks together before sitting... if you sit down without doing that, your cheeks spread apart and pull on the wound (OUCH). If you squeeze together before sitting, your cheeks still spread apart but much closer together, if you get what I mean. Oh lord, I hope I don't need an episiotomy again...