PP hygeine products?

[Kanga]

I am trying to get a list together of all the last minute things I'll need for myself post partum. I am planning on a vaginal delivery, and nursing also, but want to hear things for a c-section too, in case I should have to go that route. Also where I can get these things, esp if the hospital doesn't provide them. So far I have
pads (the biggest thickest longest ones the sell apparently)
mesh underwear (will I need my own? how long do i wear these for?}
numbing spray (which brand? does walmart and the like carry this?)


What am I missing? Is there anything that everyone swore by, but you really didn't need/like in the end? TIA

[Jen1098]

You should be able to take the numbing spray from the hosptial. I had enough to use afterwards for awhile.
They also give you tucks, and stuff for a sitz bath if you need one of those and if you have a vaginal delivery youwill.

I changed out of the mesh underware asap-I didn't like it. I wore my maternity underware for a few days until I was able to buy a smaller size of full back underware.

You might want to ask your Dr. for a stool softner before you leave the hosptial. That helped me alot.

I really didn't buy anything extra, just used what I brought home from the hospital.

[Brady]

The only thing I had to get when I came home were more Tucks pads, as I ran out of the ones the hospital sent home with me. I'm not sure if every hospital is different, but mine sent me home with a full pack of maternity pads, couple pairs of the mesh underwear (I really only needed these the first couple days, then switched to my old maternity ones), they also gave me the spray, the tucks pads, and the sitz bath. You def. leave with a heck of a lot more than you came with, that's for sure! ;)

[curlywig]

I'll second the Tucks pads. Used them for almost 6 weeks PP.

[mamax2]

I guess every hospital is different; I didn't get (or need) a sitz bath, Tucks pads or numbing spray. They DID provide me w/the mesh undies (I think 2 pair which I loved and washed out and wore only those the first week), these AWESOME pads that you twist and they release a cooling gel like an emergency ice pack - they rock!

The only thing they don't give you that you might like to have is some Chux pads for your bed. If you don't like the idea of laying on them, just put a sheet or towel over top. These are also great for BFing leaks and will save you from changing your sheets and mattress pad a lot those first few days.

[BTB]

The hospital provided everything: pads, peribottle, mesh disposable underwear, Dermoplast (the numbing spray), Tucks, and Chux. They didn't give a Sitz bath as I had an in-room Jacuzzi, and once I got home shallow baths with witch hazel were more than adequate. They didn't give a doughnut pillow as the use of these is no longer recommended. I took home the container of everything I was using, since they can't re-use; plus they gave me extras for home.

All those items can be purchased at a good-size pharmacy. The one thing you might have a hard time finding is the mesh disposable underwear, many pharmacies will order it or you can buy it online - I know Medela lists it in their complete catalog.

Honestly, I wouldn't buy any of this stuff, except some pads for home once you're sick of the hospital's hugenormous pads.

You'll also want lanolin cream if you're BFing, the hospital gave me two tubes of this as well.

[Jen1098]

these AWESOME pads that you twist and they release a cooling gel like an emergency ice pack - they rock!

I forgot about those-they were awesome!!!! I did end up having a 3rd degree tear so those really helped me big time.

[med12]

I agree with the others about not buying much. The hospital will send you home with stuff - especially if you ask. When I had DS, I got the sitz bath, witch hazel, lanolin samples, pads, diapers, formula, ice packs, the pads that go under you in bed (I used this at home for about 3 weeks). I kind of played dumb and asked lots of questions about what I would need and it just magically appeared. Those ice packs that you twist were awesome and I went home with a bunch of those and still have some!

As for underwear, I went to WalMart and got the biggest granny-types that I could find - they were fruit of the loom and I think it was about $7 a six pack. I used those and it was nice because I didn't care if they got ruined. I wouldn't bother getting the mesh underwear. I personally found that they weren't that great and I couldn't wait to put normal underwear back on again.

Can't help with the C-section but I think you may just want to stock up on more pads because I think you take longer to stop bleeding post-partum. Hopefully someone that has been there can help out.

Also, when you have the baby and other people ask if they can help, maybe you can have someone run to the store for those supplies for you (especially if they've been there - they'll understand).

[dana b]

the hospital didn't make a point of sending me home with stuff, other than the sitz bath. thankfully, my mom reminded me to have them replenish my supplies so i could take them home.

what i took from the hosp:
mesh undies
huge pads
ice packs
squirt bottle and soap
numbing spray

what i bought on my own:
lots of tucks pads
prep h suppositories
colace
pads for home

i definitely suggest taking the colace regularly. i forgot to take it once i got home and ended up with a fissure, that was almost as painful as childbirth.

[HGMorgann]

c-section actually for a C-section, you will probally bleed less - they suck everything out basically. I had "period like" bleeding for about a week, then spotting for about another week or two. I used one pack of hospital pads and 1 1/2 of my pads and then just panty liners. It was defintely a perk to having a C-section. The nurses said this was normal. Oh, for a C- the mesh undies were great b/c they kinda felt supportive of your tummy and didnt hit the incision line at all.

....Chapstick, hairbands, and maybe some type of cleansing clothes (baby wipes probally would work) too!

[tenofcups]

Delurking to ask a possibly stupid question, but I'm just curious: What is mesh underwear and what is its purpose? I think this is the first time I've seen it mentioned...

[alienhost]

The mesh underwear is basically a one size fits all very stretchy pair of underwear that is made of a mesh material. The hospital has these for you to use (and throw out) and it holds a pad in place.

I used it for the first two days in the hospital (had a c-section) but switched to my own underwear because it made me feel more "back to normal" to have my own clothing on.

When I got home I actually wore some of my older underwear that way I could just toss them if they got messy.

[Kanga]

Thanks for all of the quick replies ladies. This thread has been really helpful. One more question though :p What exactly is a sitz bath? And I assume witch hazel is something you put in your bath water? Is it a powder, or a liquid? What type of bottle does it come in? Ok that was a lot more than one question...TIA

[BTB]

A sitz bath is a shallow pan-looking thing, that you "sitz" your sore bottom in. :D You don't actually need the special pan, just sit in a shallow bath.

Witch hazel is a liquid, you can get it at any pharmacy, it'll be near the rubbing alcohol. It's very soothing to the skin.

[curlywig]

BTB: I know you're a doc, but re the sitz bath, my OB told me NOT to sit in a shallow bath. She thought there might have been too much pressure on my sore stitches sitting in a bath. Of course, that could have been limited to my situation.

I did leave the hosp. with a sitz bath, although I found I never had time to use it once I got home.

As for panties, when I was PG, I bought a bunch of full-fanny VS bikinis in black stretchy material (body by V, I believe). Figured I could wear them PP too. B/c they were black, I didn't need to worry about any stains, and they've worked great. No longer wearing any maternity clothes (DS is 3 months old) but the panties were not a waste of $$. KWIM?

[BTB]

curlywig, I do suspect that was idiosyncratic to either your specific injury or type of repair. Circumstances which would limit shallow tub baths are rare, but do exist, and of course you should always listen to your own doctor. :D

With three repairs (two tears and an episiotomy) I was encouraged to use my in-room Jacuzzi - not that I needed much prompting. ;) I was not discharged with a Sitz pan, and my DI listed "tub bathing to comfort".

[curlywig]

BTB, that's what I figured.

FWIW, I did find that shallow tub baths were much faster than using the sitz bath (and less messy!).

[Brady]

Re: sitz baths. Did anyone actually get comfort from this? I hated it..! I just remember trying to sit it in and the pain was WORSE than had I just been standing up and not sitting in it! I lasted about 5 seconds. :eek: I put it out in the trash the next day as I never wanted to look at it again...

I know, this is totally off topic..