Now that I'm in my final month of pregnancy, I definitely have some additions to my "What (Not) to Wear" entry that I'll post shortly, but am currently shifting my focus to bringing baby home. As most of my pregger gfs would agree, we rarely talk about what happens AFTER giving birth. I've shared the following email with so many of my pregnant consorts, that I thought it worthy of posting in its entirety. Beware, it is not for the faint of heart, but neither is childbirth. Post-partum moms, would love to hear what worked and didn't work from you.
***
My gf turned me onto this list when she gave birth about four weeks ago: http://amzn.com/lm/R1JR1QQ3G9EUSS. She complained that her husband had to make several late night runs to the drug store and the medical supply store to collect this stuff and how helpful it would have been to have had it in advance. I also adore this blog post, which is hilarious, but also highly informative and takes the edge of the less sexy question of what happens to my body post-birth: http://www.tinyironfists.com/2010/01/there-will-be-blood.html.
I deal with my stress by over-preparing and researching and have more or less come to the following post-partum supply conclusions (all highly scientific, of course, since they are totally and completely based on word of mouth and my non-knowledge of childbirth as a whole). So basically what I'm saying is, take everything I say with a grain of salt and the security that I have totally gone off the edge in my last month of pregnancy. :) I purchased the following:
Teena pads for incontinence: Better than Depends because you're not wearing an adult diaper (definitely NOT sexy), but more like a kotex and are less likely to give you a rash (which Depends are apparently known for...who knew...maybe grandma). About half my gf's had post-partum incontinence, but I shudder at the thought of what Mr. GOTG would bring home if I sent him on this last minute errand.
Tucks pads: Whether you've got hemorrhoids or not, these apparently numb the nether region.
Americaine or Dermoplast spray: Most hospitals will send you home with a can, but you need a second can to get through the "OMG, I wish I were not sitting on a bear trap" phase. Word on the street is that the Dermoplast spray with the red top stings like the Dickens and blue top is the only way to go.
Perineal pads: My gf swears by these and said her hospital was super stingy with them when she asked for more to take home. They are a kotex and ice pad in one. They are expensive, which would explain why the hospital was not keen on sharing. Another gf suggested, as an alternative, that you buy blue ice (like the kind you put in your lunchbox) and basically put on two pairs of undies. The first pair holds your kotex for bleeding and the second holds the blue ice against your lady parts. She complained that the perineal pads only stay cold for 20 minutes and the blue ice stays cold up to an hour. Everyone thus far has recommended big ol' granny panties for recovery that you don't mind staining, so I got me a super awesome package of Fruit of the Loomies (Loonies?) as well. I've been told that this underwear will more or less guarantee your husband will stay away from you until the 6 week recovery mark for sex.
Colace or Smooth Move Tea: Didn't think about this until my gf mentioned it, but if you tear, passing a bowel movement can be hell.
Donut: I prefer Krispy Kremes personally, but my gluten free diet has more or less taken care of that. Again, to get you through the "I'm sitting on a bear trap" phase of post-partum recovery.
Soothies gel pads: I got mixed reviews on these. Some women swore by them, others were indifferent and relied on the cold/warm Lansinoh gels pads (which you can apparently nuke the hell out of -- not recommended by the doctor, but highly recommended by all moms). I own both. We'll see what works, but I don't intend to make bloody, cracked nipples part of my future if I can avoid it.
Kotex: Always Infinity Overnights won by a long shot (Infinity are the super thin ones). I've not worn a pad since junior high so this should be fun... Some recommended putting two in your undies to avoid leakage, but I suppose that depends on how much you bleed.
Just call me crazy post-partum lady.
