Congratulations!! You are going to have a baby!!
You have likely been very busy collecting and stocking up on supplies to welcome your new baby to the world, but have you done any planning for your own care?!
Here is a list of some things you might want to have on hand for your own care in the postpartum period known as the “Fourth Trimester”.
Hydration:
You have just been through a lot. Now take some time to care for yourself and get to know your new baby. You need to have on hand a good moisturizing lip balm, some gentle moisturizer for you skin, and a good water bottle/drink container.
(even better someone to keep that bottle full for you)
Lochia:
Lochia, is the heavy flow of blood and mucus that starts after delivery.
This can last from 4-8 weeks and will start out heavy and dark but will slow down in amount and lighten in color as well.
There are a couple options for how to take care of this after your birth.
If you are looking for something easy and disposable, a small pack of incontinence briefs can be great. You can just toss them the first few days and you don't have to worry about washing or staining your regular underthings and clothes.
Looking for something more environmentally friendly and reusable: Thinx https://www.shethinx.com has some great new super-absorbent underwear. They wick away moisture to keep you dry and will absorb more than their regular Thinx underwear. Just keep in mind you that you will need more than a few pair as you will still need to change them through the day, especially in the first week or 2.
If you’re looking for something in between reusable and completely disposable and more your normal style, I would advise a pack of overnight long menstrual pads in some maternity underwear you won't mind tossing or even some older “boy-short” like boxer briefs to hold the pads when you are wearing them for at least the first week or so.
Tender areas:
You going to be tender if you had a vaginal birth or a long labor before your cesarean birth. These are going to be so welcome. Witch hazel pads and/or a numbing lidocaine like spray are often very helpful during this time and often provided by the hospital if you are planning a hospital birth.
Padsicles:
These are so nice to have on hand afterwards. You can buy the ready-made cool pads or make your own by using some overnight menstrual or incontinence pads with alcohol free Aloe Vera gel, alcohol free witch hazel, and a few drops of essential oils.
There are also great herbal sitz bath mixes you can prepare to use in a sitz bath or a shallow tub bath to soak your tender parts. There are many recipes out there you can use or again ask your Doula to make one up for you. We usually have our own favorite recipes/mixes we like.
Peri-spray or peri-rinse:
This can be so soothing and healing as well. A peri-spray can be used straight out of a small spray bottle and is easy for on the go (when you’re up for it) or as a mix that you dilute and put in your own peri-rinse bottle to use at home or the hospital.
Herbal sitz bath:
A sitz bath/soak can be nice and comforting to those sore areas that were affected during your pregnancy, birth, and for assisting with any hemorrhoids that might have shown up. You can mix up your own using some Magnesium flakes or Sea Salt, and some organic healing herbs such as Comfrey, Chamomile, Lavender, Red Raspberry leaves, Yarrow, Calendula, Uva Ursi leaves, Shepherd’s Purse, and/or Rose Petals. You would add these herbs to some hot water to steep, making sure to strain out the herbs from fluid afterwards, or by putting your preferred mix in a large tea bag like cloth in which to steep. Once this liquid has cooled you will then add it to a shallow tub bath or a sitz bath tray to soak in. This liquid can also be used as a rinse for your peri-area as above in a peri-spray bottle.
Many Doula’s will make these above postpartum products for you, as we usually have the ingredients on hand. If your one of my doula clients/families, you will very likely have received (or will be) a mix of some of these already. I also sell these separately if you reach out to me via my email, my Facebook page, or my web-site https://breathefirstdoula.wixsite.com/mysite/products.
Muscle or uterine cramping:
Heating pad or rice/corn bag: This will be very comforting for any after cramps you will be having as your uterus contracts back to its pre-pregnancy size. It is nice to have for you belly and maybe another for your back if you have any strain from during your labor.
Constipation relief:
Having just had a baby and you might be dreading that first bowel movement, but you don’t have to. Don’t put that first BM off, the longer you try to hold off the harder it will be to have one. If you will be in the hospital for your birth, take the stool softener they offer you. If you’re at home have some stool softener on hand and use it.
If you are looking for a more natural alternative you can try Senna+ Tea, which you can purchase in nice little tea bags to make and drink. Make sure you keep hydrated (see above) and have those witch hazel type pads or perispray/rinse within reach in the bathroom you’ll be using the most.
HAPPY Birthing Day and transition to your 4th trimester.
Don’t forget to rest and let others care for you and baby.