The First Weeks Postpartum

The healing process, both emotionally and physically, following birth is different for every woman and is dependent on a variety of factors.  For me, it was only 1 week after delivery that I was feeling pretty good.  That's not to say I don't have my "off" days (I'm going on week 4 of the postpartum period).  I'm taking it easy during these first few weeks following my birth, spending most of my time at home and only getting out of the house for appointments.  Being a doula and childbirth educator, I know how crucial self-care can be for a new mom.  I know that I need to take care of myself so that I can take care of my little one.  During these first few weeks (and months!) postpartum, it can be hard as a new mama to make that time for myself.  Setting my expectations low (My house is messy, I'm still in my pajamas at 3pm, and I'm okay with that) and reaching out for help from my community has made for a smoother transition into motherhood.  I believe it helped immensely to have an uncomplicated delivery with lots of support in the weeks following my baby's arrival. 

These are just a few things that I couldn't live without in those first weeks of the postpartum period:

• My husband
  Dude, what would I do without this guy? J helps with diaper changes, feeds me, even helps me get the nipple shield in place before I nurse when my hands are full (Remember when I was tongue tied?  Well, our son was tongue tied, too--we had the laser procedure done two weeks ago and we're currently transitioning off of the shield).  It's also nice just having another adult around to talk to, watch a television show with, etc.  J stayed home from work for about 2 weeks to help me at home with the day-to-day stuff.  He was also adapting to his new role as a papa.  I never felt crazy overwhelmed because we could trade off throughout the day.  Team work!  

• My support people
  We've received so much support from the BABS staff, the WIC clinic, our midwife, birth and postpartum doulas, family, and community members.  The meal train we set up prenatally has been our saving grace.  When you have a new baby at home, the last thing you want to do is think about putting together a meal.  Seriously, this is one of the best gifts I've ever received.  EVER!  Also, my babe rarely let's me put him down and it's hard to make a smoothie with one hand.  Leftovers are golden.

Basically, you'll need a whole buncha pads.

• Goodies for "down there"
  Your bottom will be sore for a while after the birth of your baby.  With an uncomplicated, vaginal birth and minimal tearing, it's likely your perineum will start feeling better (not necessarily 100% though) the week after delivery.  Luckily, there are great products out there that relieve the discomfort.  For me, the essentials included:  homemade frozen witch hazel pads, Tucks, Dermoplast, and a lovely peri bottle (after delivery, you will not want to wipe when using the bathroom).  The giant maxi pads from the hospital are amazing!  In those first few days post birth, don't be surprised if you need to use two at the same time.  
  
  To be honest, I was super nervous about pooping after having a baby.  It wasn't bad at all, really--it's probably more of a mental hurdle than a physical one.  Mamas- taking in plenty of fiber, being on your feet every so often, and drinking lots of water will help.  Don't fret. :)   
• Comfortable clothing
  When I left the hospital, I probably looked about 5 months pregnant. After birth, your body will need time to adjust and it's not uncommon to have a bit of a gut (it can take over a month for the uterus to shrink back to its pre-pregnant size).  It's unlikely that you'll immediately be slipping back into your favorite pair of pre-pregnancy skinny jeans.  Plan to wear loose, cotton clothing that feels comfortable and breathable.  Oh, and that being said..I have two words for you:  mesh underwear.  Hospitals often offer pairs of these for your stay and in your take-home bag.  These are incredible-- super stretchy and washable.  Do not be embarrassed to ask for more before you're discharged.  I did, and I don't regret it! 
• Breastfeeding supplies 
  If you plan to nurse, please know one thing:  it will feel like you're nursing your baby around the clock. THIS IS NORMAL!  Newborns have tiny tummies and it's not uncommon to nurse every 1.5-2 hours.  Cluster feeding is a very real thing.  It's always better to nurse more than to nurse less!  During pregnancy, make a list of all of those t.v shows or movies you'd like to see.  Netflix is a fun way to pass the time when you feel like you've been nursing your little one for-ev-er.  Pretty Little Liars marathon, anyone?
  
  I only have one nursing bra and three or four nursing tanks that I rotate through the wash regularly.  I find the tanks work better for me because I like to wear layers in the winter.  Button down shirts are also great for nursing.  I have both cloth and disposable nursing pads but I find the disposables are more likely to irritate my skin (the absorbency just isn't the same).  Before having a baby, I hardly ever wore a bra (TMI?), so it's been a big adjustment for me to always have something of the sort on.  Some nights, I skip the nursing bra or tank and just wear a t-shirt to bed.  If my shirt gets soaked with milk, I change.  I also stuff burp rags in my shirt to avoid leakage or put a towel underneath B and I in bed to soak up the wetness.  That reminds me:  staying dry for us is a rarity in these early weeks (months? I dunno...we're not there yet).  Think about it-- I'm bleeding (lovely lochia), crying (hormones all over the place), and/or leaking milk.  Baby has poopy and wet diapers (sometimes these blowouts require a change of bed sheets) and is spitting up from time to time.  For this reason, we place Chux pads on our bed (these are sent home in the hospital's discharge bags).  We're also rocking the waterproof mattress cover, too.  
• Baby Daybook
  Okay, so I never thought I'd be one to track *everything* my baby does, but in those early days this app really helped me.  In reality, we were only tracking feedings, dirty diapers, and the occasional pumping session, but it's hard to keep all of that straight!  I especially enjoyed having the app in the middle of the night so I knew when our last nursing session was and what side I last nursed on.  Our little one had a hard time with weight gain because of his tongue tie, so it was also helpful to look back to see how he did with eating and gaining on a day-to-day basis.  

What items were essential in your early days as a new mama?