Postpartum Comforts

For me, there are few times in my life that I wouldn’t mind missing more — by being in a coma — than the postpartum period.

It hurts, you’re tired, it hurts, your baby sucks on parts of you, you’re tired, it hurts.  There’s no leaving it behind, it’s attached to you.  The postnatal monkey on your back.  Well, here are my 10 tips to make that a tad more comfortable — postpartum comforts, if you will.

First off, hello! I’m Hilary — many people know me as The Pregnancy Nurse 👩‍⚕️. I have been a nurse since 1997 and I have 20 years of OB nursing experience. I am the survivor of a 4th degree tear with my first baby (the 2nd degree tears with my other two seemed like a picnic).

If you are looking for MORE info on surviving after baby, I am the creator of The Online Prenatal Class for Couples that simplifies birth for you and your partner. Check it out, I even have a free class for you to try first!

I am so passionate about this topic I just did a whole podcast on what to expect postpartum:

I also have a whole after-baby checklist that you can have sent STRAIGHT to your inbox — that way you remember all the key points and can refer to them after your bundle of joy arrives!

1.  NO guilt.

I just had a patient the other day say “Should I feel guilty when I leave her in the crib like that?”  I did a exorcist head spin and said, “NEVER feel guilty for putting your baby down.”  The guilt.  Leave it behind.  Well — ok, do feel guilty if you’re not feeding your baby while you take a hit of crystal meth.  Those people should feel guilty.  You should feel like taking a shower, even if your baby cries a bit during it, is AOK.  Life will go on, and you are likely to feel better afterwards, and be a good mom.

2.  Hemorrhoid pads.

You might know them by the brand name Tucks.  These are little pads, soaked in witchhazel which made me want to name my baby Hazel.  Oh my goodness, they sure do help out those stitches!  You may not know this about me, but I ripped “stem to stern” with my first.  I cried getting off my bed, I couldn’t sit, but then if I stood I thought my uterus was going to fall out.  My sister in law gave me the good advice to put the tucks in the fridge.  Boy oh boy do they feel great when you put them on those stitches!  And yes, those stitches.  Yipes! {you lay the tucks on your pad, and then just leave them there, throw the whole thing away the next time you change your pad, repeat}.

** While they are KNOWN as Hemorrhoid pads, they work on any swelling, which means if you tore — they will be your friend

I also have a whole video on taking care of your bottom that you might find helpful:

3.  Drugs.

I am a fairly big fan of drugs.  I’m a huge fan of ibuprofen for the pain, but I never found the better drugs (Tylenol with codeine, Vicodin, Lortab) to be all that much helpful, and they often made me super constipated.  Which brings me to stool softeners.  Do it, take them.  Take them for at LEAST a week.  Thank me later.  No really, do it.

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4.  Nipple cream.

If you think you don’t need to buy the tube of nipple cream, you’re wrong.  Spend the money, slather it on.  The end. {unless you’re not breastfeeding, you’ll need to invest in tight bras instead}.

5.  Healthy Food.

Sure, you think you can live on pringles, ding dongs and sleepless nights, but it turns out your body needs more.

When people ask how they could help, tell them you’d love some cut up fruit and veggies.  Your body is healing, it is likely you lost blood and you just need good nutrients.  Get some decent food!  While they’re at it, have your friends stay a bit.  You are a human, who needs adult human interaction.  Still make sure you value that.

I have a whole list of my favorite casseroles. A lot of those are great to freeze!

6.  Sitz Bath

Somehow I feel like these are going out of fashion.  My first doctor tried to steer clear of a sitz bath (which I hate him for, forever), but I had one with my 2nd.  It’s basically a little basin that sits in your toilet and sprays your stitches with water (the temperature of your choice).  Said water drains into the toilet and you’re done.  SO. DARN. HEAVENLY. when the nether-regions ache.  Do it.

This just in:  I recently was sent a Tushy and did a Tushy Review.  Cliffnotes:  It’s amazing. Check it out!  {save 10% with code CURLS too!}. It is WAY better than a Sitz bath and you don’t have to keep filling it up!

Don’t miss my podcast on postpartum surprises.

7.  Loose pants.

Don’t feel any need to head back into your pre-pregnancy pants for a LONG. TIME.  Not only is your stomach too big for them, but so is the “downtown” area.  I remember zipping up, feeling so fine and then heading to a friends house to show off the baby and wanting to die.  Sweat pants for at LEAST 3 weeks, that’s my personal rule.  Enjoy it.  You deserve it!

8.  Hemorrhoid Pillow.

It’s a little blow-up ring that you sit on so your swollen areas don’t have to touch wherever you’re sitting.  I brought one with me for almost 2 months after Conner.  Decorate it, make it your own.  🙂

9.  Get some good real estate. 🙂

This isn’t time for those tiny pads we had when we were 16.  You need a decent sized pad so you’re not worried about leaking.  Get the BIG. OVERNIGHT. pads.  It won’t matter, because you’re already following advice #7.  Remember.  If bleeding goes back bright red, or you have clots larger than a golf ball — CALL your doctor (you might want to read my postpartum medical advice ).  I have heard of a lot of luck with these underwear.

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10.  That baby.

I spent so much time worrying with my first, that I didn’t really find comfort in HIM.  So sweet and snuggly.  They’re your #1 comfort (but I saved best for last). Lots of cultures have interesting traditions surrounding the postpartum period, including no showers, no cold water and never leaving the bed.  What kind of stuff do you do to make you feel comfortable?

Don’t forget to get TOTALLY prepared for your upcoming birth with the Online Prenatal Class for Couples.

What people like most about it is:

• Quick — not a minute wasted.
• It’s all about you — fits in your busy schedule!
• Engaging — between videos and key points you’ll know exactly what’s important with a dose of humor.
• Accurate — Over 16 years of experience makes this class a winner!

You can even save an extra 10% with code PC10 Check it out!