First of all, congratulations! Whether you’re reading this in solidarity or you’re pregnant and the title caught your eye. The journey, those cute smiles and coos just melt your heart and make the postpartum adventure just that much easier. Before jumping into my story I am not a healthcare professional and you should check with your healthcare provider on their recommendations. Also, before purchasing items ask what will be provided to you as I ended up with 2 of a few things.

So let’s get down to the nitty gritty. We spend 9 months growing, preparing for and talking about baby. But what about mom? Not everyone has the same experience but this was mine. After speaking with others it’s relatively similar across the board unless you’re lucky and don’t have any postpartum symptoms.

For starters, I felt like my butthole/vagina was falling out of me. It is really an indescribable feeling. You’ll likely get a hemorrhoid and if you don’t, I envy you. (PRO TIP: If you get the urge to sit on the toilet during labor try not to often or for prolonged periods as it will make it worse.) Peeing burns and will for a few days or weeks. This likely depends on tearing vs. just normal abrasions from birth. I tore up my labias (which by the way is a common thing) by day 4 I was still burning, it lasted 4 weeks. (LIFE HACK: Pinch your labias shut while peeing!!!) The PERI bottle will be your best friend. You will be swollen and it definitely looks awful. Don’t look if you’re really into having a “perfect” looking vagina because it does eventually go back to normal but it takes time. You will not be wiping especially if you tear which is why you want a peri bottle. You get cramps and contractions particularly worse when nursing. Mine were really painful and worse than period cramping. They felt like the cyst on my ovaries rupturing type cramping.

Speaking of breastfeeding, if you embark on this adventure, you need to ALWAYS keep water by you…it’s an indescribable thirst and snacks because I always was hungry to. Get a good latch and unlatch the baby if it hurts and try again. Your nipples will thank you. It’s uncomfortable until you get used to it but not painful. To unlatch baby stick your finger in the corner of babies mouth vs. just pulling them off. Look up different positions and go see a lactation consultant if you can. I highly recommend looking up the breast crawl and letting baby do this immediately after birth. It’s amazing to watch and experiment with the babies natural instincts plus it really helps the breastfeeding journey. As much skin to skin as possible is great for both you, partner and baby. But, back to the postpartum business.

SITZ baths with herbs feel fantastic followed by a padsicle. I would do a 20min sitz bath every day. See below for my recipes. I bled towards my butt so I had one maxi pad in the depends going up the buttcrack and one going up the front. This way you’re not having to change the diaper every few hours. The bleeding slowed at day 3 and I was down to one maxi pad in the depends. Put a padsicle in the depends at least twice a day because it feels good and helps the swelling. You’re going to pass descent size blood clots and that’s normal if it’s only a few. They feel disgustingly wierd coming out. Bleeding can last up to 8 weeks depending on your activity level. Use your blood as a way to judge if you’re doing to much. If you start bleeding more then ease up on your activity levels. Start by going on some walks. Get in tune with your body.

The first poop definitely sucks! Get a laxative or take a ton of magnesium. Trace minerals work wonders. Belly binding felt great especially with those after birth contractions/cramping. The first 40 days after birth should be focused on resting, belly binding and recovery only. Of course baby care also but give yourself that time. Postpartum baby blues is normal and some get full blown depression after birth. Talk to someone about it if you feel like you can’t cope. Put baby in a safe location and walk away if you’re frustrated. Eat and sleep as much as you can. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your partner, friends or family and I wish you all good luck and a positive recovery.

What to Buy and Recipes

RECOMMENDED POSTPARTUM NECESSITIES:

• adult diapers – Always Discreet
• maxi pads
• peri bottle
• sitz bath
• granny panties you don’t mind getting ruined
• epsom salt or sitz bath herbs for postpartum (try asking a health food store/midwives or doula)
• calendula tincture
• lavender and frankincense essential oils
• tucks pads for hemorrhoids
• belly binder – I liked the bengkung belly wrap
• trace mineral drops
• earth mama nipple butter
• witch hazel no alcohol – 2 bottles

1. PERI BOTTLE RECIPE: Add 20 drops calendula tincture for healing and 1/2 tsp of witch hazel for the swelling, 3 drops each of lavender and frankincense oil, fill with warm water
2. PADSICLE RECIPE: Soak the maxi pad with witch hazel only and freeze them. Add essential oils if desired