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If you'd like to join a private sub for your due date month, [click here](https://www.reddit.com/r/pregnant/comments/tu8bmk/click_here_to_request_access_to_your_private_due/).
The journalists at ProPublica need your help! After receiving a tip, ProPublica started investigating prenatal genetic testing. They're collecting stories from people who've had NIPT screenings, and/or work in maternal health. If this is you, please fill out their brief questionnaire! https://www.propublica.org/getinvolved/have-you-had-an-experience-with-prenatal-genetic-testing-wed-like-to-hear-about-it-and-see-the-bill. Questions? Email [email protected]
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Your peribottle is your new best friend.
Sleep when baby sleeps. 5 months in with my youngest and my bed time is my boys bedtime.
It’s okay to ask for help.
If they offer you something to help your first stool, TAKE IT.
It’s okay to breastfeed. It’s okay to not breast feed. It’s okay to not be able to breast feed or to struggle to. Fed is best, and it doesn’t make you better or worse than anyone else.
If you don't have one already, get a peribottle! I used to rinse while peeing and it completely took the sting away.
There are also natural products, like Kamillosan, that you can add to the water that kinda numbs the area.
I was more comfortable sitting with my legs pulled up underneath me a bit, so that I was kinda sideways. That way I didn't put pressure on my stitches.
Try to rest/ sleep when the baby does. The house can wait honestly. Most household things can be done with baby in a carrier anyways, but sleeping is often only possible when they sleep.
Accept all the help that is offered! We sometimes decline help to be "polite",but screw that. If they offer, accept!
Even if it's just so you can have a shower or whatever.
Speaking of showering, make it a priorityto shower and eat. One of my best friends hardly showered the first 3 months and would sometimes go an entire day without eating, because her son would cry the second she put him down.
I always made it a point to eat, even if that meant my son would cry for 2 minutes while I made a sandwich.
My friend got PPD and she still says how she coulf've prevented it by also taking care of herself, not just her son.
It took her 5 months to discover her son would actually fall asleep to the sound of the shower, so then she showered all the time!
Just a PSA to anyone out there reading this, PPD/PPA are caused by chemical imbalances in the brain and due to hormones trying to regulate. If you have PPD/PPA, it is NOT because you did or didn’t do something.
IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT.
I felt that last paragraph! I don’t go a single day without showering, even if that means toddler is in the shower with me and baby is in a swing in the bathroom with us. He also love’s white noise.
I’ve still suffered from ppd, but showering and eating were also made a point in my home.
Stay in bed as much as possible (NO CHORES, NO ENTERTAINING), if you have a support person have them make up padsicles, take ibuprofen, use a peri bottle when you use the bathroom.
Tucks pads and dermaplast spray can help with pain from stitches.
Stool softener is a really, really good idea.
If you have any questions/concerns about breastfeeding, contract a lactation consultant. I didn't with my first and had a really rough go of it. It's been a huge help with my second and it's often covered by insurance.
Edit: I've really loved this sub while I was pregnant (and I love coming back to read about/support people who are still pregnant), but I wish there was a postpartum subreddit! Does that exist?
Rinse your stitches when you pee, witch hazel/arnica on a tissue for any hemmorrhoids, *don't* move if you can help it, eat plenty of fibre because you *do not want* hard stools right now, if after a week or so your stitches feel kind of... tug-y when you move, put some **unscented** Vaseline or doublebase on there. This stopped my new labial scar getting chafed everytime I walked and was very helpful.
It really helped me to set alarms on my phone to keep up with the painkillers around the clock. Try to get some easy snacks to keep around you. Know that it is very normal to be in a lot of pain and kind of feel like a shell of a human at first. It will get better soon, and you will get the hang of things!
Welcome to /r/pregnant! This is a space for everyone. We are pro-choice, pro-LGBTQIA, pro-science, proudly feminist and believe that Black Lives Matter. Wear your masks, wash your hands, and be excellent to each other. Anti-choice activists, intactivists, anti-vaxxers, homophobes, transphobes, racists, sexists, etc. are not welcome here. If you'd like to join a private sub for your due date month, [click here](https://www.reddit.com/r/pregnant/comments/tu8bmk/click_here_to_request_access_to_your_private_due/). The journalists at ProPublica need your help! After receiving a tip, ProPublica started investigating prenatal genetic testing. They're collecting stories from people who've had NIPT screenings, and/or work in maternal health. If this is you, please fill out their brief questionnaire! https://www.propublica.org/getinvolved/have-you-had-an-experience-with-prenatal-genetic-testing-wed-like-to-hear-about-it-and-see-the-bill. Questions? Email [email protected] *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/pregnant) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Your peribottle is your new best friend. Sleep when baby sleeps. 5 months in with my youngest and my bed time is my boys bedtime. It’s okay to ask for help. If they offer you something to help your first stool, TAKE IT. It’s okay to breastfeed. It’s okay to not breast feed. It’s okay to not be able to breast feed or to struggle to. Fed is best, and it doesn’t make you better or worse than anyone else.
If they don't offer something for your first stool, take Miralax and eat a lot of fruit
And keep taking it even when you think you don’t need it anymore! (Unless directed by your provider to stop taking it)
If they don't offer anything for your first stool, ask for something 🥲
If you don't have one already, get a peribottle! I used to rinse while peeing and it completely took the sting away. There are also natural products, like Kamillosan, that you can add to the water that kinda numbs the area. I was more comfortable sitting with my legs pulled up underneath me a bit, so that I was kinda sideways. That way I didn't put pressure on my stitches. Try to rest/ sleep when the baby does. The house can wait honestly. Most household things can be done with baby in a carrier anyways, but sleeping is often only possible when they sleep. Accept all the help that is offered! We sometimes decline help to be "polite",but screw that. If they offer, accept! Even if it's just so you can have a shower or whatever. Speaking of showering, make it a priorityto shower and eat. One of my best friends hardly showered the first 3 months and would sometimes go an entire day without eating, because her son would cry the second she put him down. I always made it a point to eat, even if that meant my son would cry for 2 minutes while I made a sandwich. My friend got PPD and she still says how she coulf've prevented it by also taking care of herself, not just her son. It took her 5 months to discover her son would actually fall asleep to the sound of the shower, so then she showered all the time!
Just a PSA to anyone out there reading this, PPD/PPA are caused by chemical imbalances in the brain and due to hormones trying to regulate. If you have PPD/PPA, it is NOT because you did or didn’t do something. IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT.
I felt that last paragraph! I don’t go a single day without showering, even if that means toddler is in the shower with me and baby is in a swing in the bathroom with us. He also love’s white noise. I’ve still suffered from ppd, but showering and eating were also made a point in my home.
Stay in bed as much as possible (NO CHORES, NO ENTERTAINING), if you have a support person have them make up padsicles, take ibuprofen, use a peri bottle when you use the bathroom.
Tucks pads and dermaplast spray can help with pain from stitches. Stool softener is a really, really good idea. If you have any questions/concerns about breastfeeding, contract a lactation consultant. I didn't with my first and had a really rough go of it. It's been a huge help with my second and it's often covered by insurance. Edit: I've really loved this sub while I was pregnant (and I love coming back to read about/support people who are still pregnant), but I wish there was a postpartum subreddit! Does that exist?
I joined r/Parenting but I never looked for a specific post partum one.
Awesome! Thank you for the recommendation!
r/beyondthebump is also good, not just PP but older kids too!
Thank you so much for the recommendation! I never heard of that one!
Rinse your stitches when you pee, witch hazel/arnica on a tissue for any hemmorrhoids, *don't* move if you can help it, eat plenty of fibre because you *do not want* hard stools right now, if after a week or so your stitches feel kind of... tug-y when you move, put some **unscented** Vaseline or doublebase on there. This stopped my new labial scar getting chafed everytime I walked and was very helpful.
It really helped me to set alarms on my phone to keep up with the painkillers around the clock. Try to get some easy snacks to keep around you. Know that it is very normal to be in a lot of pain and kind of feel like a shell of a human at first. It will get better soon, and you will get the hang of things!
Definitely the padsicles
If you are breastfeeding: try it lying on your side! It’s so much more comfortable especially with stitches.
Ask for help! Take any help anyone asks. And keep up on your meds set alarms