After delivery?

[Niqueniq]

What are some things you ladies experienced after giving birth you wish people would of told you about? What's the hardest thing you have to deal with after birth?

[Niqueniq]

@abb01 Lol thanks for that tip and @doulamommy that's good because you really just helped me a lot and @mommy_again23 thank you for that tip I really hope I don't tear

[abbb01]

Btw once u do start having sex again (id wait till 6 week check for risk of infection if everything isnt healed) think of it like ur a virgin all over again lol go sloooow use water based lube and at least for me I had to relearn what felt good seemed like things got shifted (weird I know) but my hubby swears its just as good if not better good luck momma

[doulamommy]

Haha I'm just a know it all lol. All I do is read. It drives my hubby nuts! I've read the entire childbirth section in my local library and own six books on the subject myself. I'm able to answer a lot of questions even if I don't have personal experience simply because I read the right book!

[mommy_again23]

I tore and that was worse than labor and all to me, the stitches hurt and I hated peeing it hurt so bad. And your stomach will feel disgusting for a couple days like, loose and wiggly but it goes back to normal for the most part so don't get too down on yourself (;

[Niqueniq]

@doulamommy You're fine I appreciate all your feedback

[doulamommy]

Your boobs can swell up either way but breastfeeding definitely helps it go away faster! (I know I said I was done. I lied lol)
I loved lanolin! Seriously buy a tube and make sure it's in your hospital bag! Even if you're not planning to breastfeed long term it can be a godsend.

[Niqueniq]

Chloglow NP we need to know and thanks @PaytonFaith

[PaytonFaith]

If you breastfeed your nipples will get a lil sore but I got linolin to put them and it helps a ton! And if you don't breastfeed your boobs will become engorged. They'll swell up and be hard as a rock!

[chloglow]

I'm glad u asked this I'm a ftm too

[Niqueniq]

I hope the heat doesn't hurt that bad

[doulamommy]

Peri bottle. Short for perinium. Cuz that's what it's for.  :)
One last thing: the ice feels better than anything down there, but they only want you to use it the first day to bring down swelling. Then they want you to use heat to help facilitate healing. I promise you it heals better that way. And I also promise that telling at the nurse and crying will not make her change her mind. I tried that.

[Niqueniq]

Seems like peeing is going to be the worst. How do your boobs feel after are they real sore? Sorry for all the questions but I'm a ftm and want to know

[abbb01]

I tore and that was definitely uncomfortable to move around or sit but an epi bottle (I think thats what it is) helps so much when u go pee (warm water u pour over ur junk while u pee oooooohhh god) but u can get some numbing stuff too the after pains were absolutely HORRIBLE for me they made me quit breathing fpr literally minutes and want to scream and they say they get worse with each child so im not looking forward to that! If ur planning on bfing YEAH U not bashing anyones choice but im so glad I bf even with all kinds of pain and trouble but all the benefits (theres lots of em) way out weigh the downers I would suggest though not trying to bottle feed until baby is at least 5 weeks and only pump after feedings to build up and storage u want with ur milk

[tee1706]

I couldn't eat much of anything for almost a week or so after I had my first my mom thought something was wrong with me & I wouldn't go clothes shopping to soon afterwards because I cried in the dressing room lol sound silly i know

[doulamommy]

Oh and just accept that the stool softener is gonna be your new best friend for a while.

[PaytonFaith]

I think peeing was the worst! Your gonna wanna use the spray bottle they give you for sure cuz you definitely ain't gonna wanna wipe!

[doulamommy]

Wow didn't mean to make it so long lol! Good thing I only have a phone instead of a computer!

[Niqueniq]

Oh wow thanks for letting me know

[doulamommy]

This is probably tmi, which is probably why people don't prepare you for stuff like this.  Still, you've now been warned.  If you have an iv, they won't take it out until you go pee, which is scary as hell after a vaginal delivery. Lucky me, I dropped a clot the size of a grapefruit in front of the nurse (did I mention someone must accompany you?) and had to keep my iv in even longer.
It hurts to sit down, even if you didn't tear.  You're still bruised and very tender. And that rubber donut thing? Don't bother if you tore. It doesn't help at all! Rather it made me feel as if my butt and vagina were being ripped in half.
Breastfeeding: you feel like you're starving your child at first. If you pump (like I did) you see how little colostrum your body actually produces. So you feel guilty for a day or two, and then your milk comes in. Then you can't get baby to latch because you're too effing big and hard as a rock. I'd you're still in the hospital at this point, seek help, but beware: you will have strangers touching your breast. Awkward? Yes. Uncomfortable? Yes. Worth it? Hell yes.
Kinda like labor.