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What to expect

post #1 of 20
12/3/06 at 5:42pm
Thread Starter 
While I know I'll be sore and tired I don't really have any idea what to really expect after having a baby.

I know I'll have bleeding (I've got pads ready) what's normal? How much will I bleed once I'm home?

What other things do you wish someone had warned you about?
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post #2 of 20
12/3/06 at 6:10pm
Make sure that you have someone the first week that can help you during the day so you can take a warm bath several times a day. That is what helped me with my stitches the most. Also, stock up on Tucks pads and Preperation H cuz your bum may be sore. You will bleed a LOT so don't freak. You will also have some pretty big clots but that is normal. Most importantly, do NOT over do it the first week. You will feel good after a few days but believe me, give yourself a week to do nothing and recoup otherwise you will hurt your incision site. But seriously, after a week you will be back to 100% (unless you have a C-section, i have no experience with those).
You are going to do fine honey!!
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post #3 of 20
12/3/06 at 6:17pm
Even with a section after a week i started to feel pretty much normal. sleep deprived but normal.

not so much bleeding with a section either. they clean out alot when they are in there

i say, just be prepared to be in presentable pj's for the first while, everyone wants to come see the new baby, or that happened to me, i had people here a ton the first couple of weeks..
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post #4 of 20
12/3/06 at 6:30pm
I had a c-section, and I had less bleeding than a regular period. It lasted about a week. But I did get weak if I walked a whole lot. I felt wonderful after about a week.
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post #5 of 20
12/3/06 at 7:54pm
I had both vaginal and 2 c-sections. About a week and I was fine. Bleeding was much worse after the vaginal--6 weeks but that's extreme. About 7-10 days with the sections.

Definately get Tucks Pads. And my hospital gave me this spray to use b/f you pee. It's wonderful. Dermaplast is what I think it's called. Maybe Kim knows if that's not the name.
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post #6 of 20
12/3/06 at 8:38pm
Yup...Dermaplast. It's a GODSEND!

Have lots of pads, some tucks pads and ibuprofen. (trust me! )

Also, be prepared for mood swings and being overly emotional. It's your hormones regulating. If it gets too bad, do NOT hesitate to call your OB/MD about possible PPD. Some Mom's have it, some don't. I had 2 vag births. Bleeding with Lauren was almost 6 weeks. Ryan was only about 4. I was up walking around 3 hrs. after Lauren was born. 1 1/2hrs. after Ryan. (Different meds in the 2nd epidural...could walk faster after!)

Ummm.... just make sure someone's around to help. Don't try to do it all yourself. Take it from my experience, it just doesn't work when you are trying to recover.

Good luck! You'll do fine!
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post #7 of 20
12/3/06 at 8:43pm
The hospital gave me something called epifoam which I think is similar to the spray.
They also should give you a squirt bottle to fill with warm water and spray yourself down with while you pee... it really helps with the burning and if they don't give you one ask for one.
They will most likely have you taking stool softeners while in the hospital and it's a good idea to continue them for a while after coming home.
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post #8 of 20
12/3/06 at 11:07pm
the spray is very helpful!! I also got the squirt bottle. My bleeding lasted about 5 weeks. Be prepared for some afterpains too...
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post #9 of 20
12/3/06 at 11:19pm
My c-section was different apparently. With Emily, I only bled for about 10 days or so. With Travis, I bled for a good five weeks, and it was pretty heavy, lots of clots. With Emily, my doctor didn't really push getting me out of bed and making me move around. That was a mistake. They left my epidural in for two days, so I had Emily on Saturday, but didn't get out of bed until Monday. My recovery took forever, and I didn't feel normal or good for a long time.
With Travis, I was up and about by Saturday, after having him on Friday afternoon. I made them let me go home on Sunday, and I didn't lay around and rest. I moved around, took care of him and Emily, etc. That's probably why I bled so much, but overall I felt better this time than I did the first time.
Your emotions are going to be wacky. Your hormones will plummet, so you might be prone to all sorts of emotions for no reason. Don't be surprised. I am not even talking about postpartum depression, just normal hormone induced emotional stuff.
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post #10 of 20
12/3/06 at 11:23pm
Mary is right. The uterine contractions afterwards are painful!
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post #11 of 20
12/4/06 at 12:21am
Thread Starter 
Thanks so much ladies. I know that I can always count on you guys to give me the low down. I've warned DH about this stuff too, so if I freak out a little he can tell me to relax and it's normal. I'm glad that I was warned about clots, those might have made me nervous, and after pains too.
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post #12 of 20
12/4/06 at 12:40am
They will brief you in the hospital too on what to look for what is "normal" etc. WB has a nurse that calls you a day or two after discharge too that checks up and sees how things are going. I'm not sure how MF does it.

If ever in doubt call your DR. Thats what they are their for and nothing is ever menial or dumb. I bet they have heard it all before.
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post #13 of 20
12/4/06 at 2:43am
Please please please, accept help when it is offered. Or even ask for it! Also.. expect to feel like you have no idea what you are doing with the baby. LOL I had been around babies all my life but suddenly at home alone with a newborn who wouldn't stop crying no matter what.. made me panic. YOU are doing a wonderful job with him, keep that in mind especially that first week home. Babies cry. YOU will probably cry. There will be some days you want to be held and cuddled and some days you think you will scream if another human thinks of touching you.
Keep a heating pad near by, it helps with the uterine contractions. Um.. with Duncan, the hospital gave me these.. ice..things that are soft and you kinda crack them to activate them Felt wonderful after my very small tear to sit on that. Oh make sure you drink enough water too. It's easy to get dehydrated that first week.
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post #14 of 20
12/4/06 at 8:48am
well, I thought the afterpains weren't bad the first time. It hurts a lot more with the second kid, at least for me.
The biggest thing, prepare to be emotional. I was amazed how unstable I was. I am also amazed nobody told you the number one rule for new moms:
SLEEP WHEN BABY IS SLEEPING!!!
It sounds like a cliche, but it is so true. If you plan on breast feeding, you will miss some sleep at night. Make it up when you can.
If you are tired, turn off the phone, disassemble the door bell, and go to bed. Or better yet, get one of those signs that say "Mommy and Baby are sleeping, please don't disturb" and put it on the outside of your appartment. It will turn any well meaning visitor away without waking you, and since you turned the phone off, you will get your rest. DH will thank you for it (because you'll be much nicer to be around )
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post #15 of 20
12/4/06 at 10:54am
Thread Starter 
I'm so glad that both DH and my Dad will be here when I come home.
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post #16 of 20
12/4/06 at 11:12am
If you plan on breast feeding, you will miss some sleep at night.

Eva, even if she doesn't breastfeed, she'll still miss sleep!!

That was the worse for me. You never get to sleep more that 4 hrs at a time and that's if you have a "good" baby!!

Oh, one more thing....PLEASE don't sleep with your baby....VERY dangerous!!
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post #17 of 20
12/4/06 at 11:13am
I mean sleeping in the same bed with baby.
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post #18 of 20
12/4/06 at 11:18am
Thread Starter 
We have a bassinet all set up, we don't plan on co-sleeping. I want to actually be in bed with my hubby when I can (he works 3rd shift, so that's only 2 nights a week).
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post #19 of 20
12/4/06 at 11:21am
That's what we did...a bassinett in the room with us!

BTW, My Wish is my favorite song right now!
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post #20 of 20
12/4/06 at 12:12pm
Thread Starter 
mine too. I started bawling in the car when I first heard it. I've been singing it to my belly already.
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