Question for Moms w/ Vaginal Deliveries

[krushing]

If all goes well and Reece isn't too big, we are going to deliver vaginally.  My question is how often, if any, does the doctor check you "down there" after delivery?  I'm questioning this because I'm trying to get in my mind what to pack for the hospital and figure out what I'm wearing after delivery.  I may be bleeding so heavily that I stay in the hospital gown to keep from ruining my own clothes, but I'd like to get some "real" clothes on.  I'm a pj pants and a t-shirt kinda girl, but if people are going to be coming in and checking, then I'm probably going to have to rely on a gown and then I've got to bring a robe.  So, I was just wondering...  Thanks!!!

[AnitaRFrith]

I'm glad you asked this.  I have 3 long gowns, my own pads, and my own underware.  I HATE their pads and mesh undies.  All 3 of my gowns are new so now I'm ify about wearing them until the next day.  I'm just going to wait and see I guess.  I was only checked twice when i gave birth at 20 weeks,  ( She did not live.)  The bleeding was not bad at all.  The nurse would ask me to leave the pads in the trash and they would look to see how much blood was on them.  They would look every few hours after i gave birth.  I don't know if it would be the same with a full term baby though.  So... we shall see.  Anita

[GRose]

Wow, I can't believe so many of you were never checked. The nurses check to see if you are bleeding to much and if any clots are getting stuck.
You could always ask your doctor or hospital to see what their normal routine is in checking a women after delivery. I think either way I would have felt more comfortable in a gown but you may be different.

[worriedbabe]

national health service...in uk

[worriedbabe]

i wasn't checked either.

[JoyRenee]

What is "NHS"?

[UmYusra]

me 2 i never got checked at all, it is as you said NHS FOR YOU!!!
i had my own clothes which i weared after having shower (about 1 hour after birth)

[mami1323]

I only got checked once by my doctor the next day.  All she did was look at the stitches and push down on my belly.  That was it.  I guess everyone's experience is different.  

[nutz19]

i didn't get checked at all. nhs for ya. i wore my own pjs as soon as i had a shower.

[GRose]

You're going to be checked a lot. I wore my own night gown the day after delivery and kept on those mesh panties and pads they give you. I wouldn't even bother with pants you are going to be taking them on and off a lot and that is going to be painful to say the least.

[jenkaye21]

Typically the nurses or doc will check you every couple of hours.  Plus, you will be wearing, like, huge mesh underwear with HUGE diaper-like pads.  
Staying in a gown is easiest.  Bring your own if you want, but realize it may be ruined. = )

[NicMom]

They like you to just stay in a night gown or hospital gown. Sometimes they will come in while your sleeping and just sneak a peek. They're looking to see how much bleeding you have. I bought a night gown just for the hosptial that way I didn't care if was ruined and it wasn't by the way. Plus shorts probably wouldn't be that comfortable because your wearing disposable undies and a pad the size of a small mattress ;-)

[slzerbst]

I know your question is for mom's who've had a V delivery, however, I know with my friends they have just stayed in the gown because they do tend to cheek you to make sure that everything was passed correctly, along with the fact that you WILL be bleeding a whole lot after delivery so you might just want to bleed on the gown insted of in your own clothes.  

[mamaofonetrying42]

With my 1st son I think they check me Once maybe 2x. But with my second I didnt get checked at all.....

[JoyRenee]

I was checked every 15 minutes for an hour after giving birth. The nurse would massage and push on my stomach to get a lot of blood out (gross, I know, but you asked!). After she did that for an hour the bleeding was not extremely bad.

After that they generally check you, especially if you had stitches, throughout that first day. I would stay in the gown until your 2nd day at the hospital. Even then they still have to check before you leave the hospital to make sure you aren't getting an infection.

So I'd just bring a robe.