This sucks. You thought being 9 months pregnant was bad… it wasn’t.
Also it’ll be fine. You’ll get through it. A year from now you won’t really remember and you’ll be willing to do it all over again. Sucker.
What to Expect
Both my births were vaginal, so this leans that direction. But a lot of this stuff is helpful for c-section too. Here’s the thing nobody really tells you until you’re in the thick of it: the recovery is its own animal.
Yes, bring home everything from the hospital. You might not use it all, but keep it. After a couple weeks you can purge what you didn’t use.
Pain Management
Take whatever pain control regimen you’re prescribed. I started with alternating Advil and Percocet. But I don’t handle Percocet well so switched to just Advil (800mg every 8hr) and Tylenol (1000mg every 4hr). I weaned myself off the Advil/Tylenol after about a week. That was too early. [As always - talk to your doctor about your medication and your pain management plan. Everyone's body chemistry is unique! I have no medical training!]
Fun fact: Percocet side effects can look like preeclampsia without the BP spike. I’m a slight hypochondriac so was super thankful that Evan has a home BP cuff and pulse-ox finger thingy.
Pads: The Full Breakdown
The hospital ones are fine, but after the first 24 hours or so I switch to something more practical.
I don't remember when I stopped bleeding with Cleo, but with Mouse I wrote it down! After about 4 weeks I was able to just use a light pad as a "just in case" - by 5 weeks back to normal. (Ok not normal - but not bleeding.)
For regular life: Always Discreet Boutique are way more convenient and less likely to rearrange themselves in your underwear and rip out pubic hair etc. Make sure you change them as often as you would change a pad though. Otherwise you risk getting diaper rash yourself. No bueno.
I also got a pack of Extra Large Super-Absorbent pads, which have been great, especially good to wear inside a mommy diaper if you’re going out and about.
If you’re going pad life (vs diapers), either the hospital underwear or FridaMom or Bodily disposable underwear is key. You also want some just normal “heavy flow” pads for a couple weeks after delivery. Unscented.
Ice Packs & Padcicles
These are great but not cheap. Put a few sets on your registry and keep them in your bathroom next to the toilet. Frida Mom 2-in-1 Postpartum Perineal Ice Maxi Pads are a solid option.
You can make your own padcicles. I did this with Cleo and then never used them. Because I am dumb. And more so because the freezer was nowhere near my bathroom and every time I needed to change my pad I was already mid-process before I remembered the freezer ones.
At the hospital they used baby diapers to make ice packs and these were GREAT. They ripped open the top of a diaper and shoved ice cubes into the middle of it. Speaking of which: at the hospital, ASK THE NURSES FOR ICE PACKS. Every time they come to check on you.
I also had Lansinoh Hot and Cold Pads for Postpartum Essentials with Mouse and really liked them. They come with sanitary sleeves which makes them much more rational to use.
Witch Hazel & Sprays
People love Dermoplast. Every time I’ve used it I’ve hated it. Worth getting to try. The hospital will give you some most likely.
The hospital will likely give you witch hazel pads. They’re round, “Tucks” is the popular name brand. Put a few in at a time sort of like putting deli meat on a sandwich. The pain in the ass thing with these is they are not flushable. But also they stick to you. So either remember to be careful OR get a flushable kind. Preparation H has flushable ones that are for hemorrhoids but do the same thing.
FridaMom Witch Hazel Foam is also good. I use it for the first few days.
Peri Bottles
Yes, you do need the special upside down ones. FridaMom or Lansinoh both work. Brand doesn’t matter.
Bring one to the hospital with you. I promise. Worth it.
And then keep one in each bathroom of your house AND in your shower unless you have a nice, gentle shower wand.
The Trash Can (You’re Welcome)
Get a cheap kitchen-sized one for your primary bathroom. These pads are huge and they add up. You don’t want to worry about overflowing your tiny bathroom trash can and needing to empty it 4x/day. You’ll probably need it for the first few weeks.
Obviously: not a doctor, not medical advice. Work with your OB on all of this.
Related: All Things Breastfeeding & Pumping and our Newborn Survival Guide.