What do you wish someone had told you about labour/birth/ after birth?

[Shanivy]

That if you end up having a c-section how bad the pain is when the morphine first wears off! And the first time you try to stand it will feel like everything if falling out of your stomach lol. And to buy the biggest pants you can possibly find, I took some in 2 sizes above my normal size and had to send my mum to Asda for bigger! Can't have been that bad though coz doing it again lol x

I take my hat off to anyone with a section honestly I dont know how you ladies did it. The other women in my high risk ward all had sections and they would literally sob over the slightest movement with the pain.

The pants thing lol yes, buy loooooads of cheap big pants cause you will leak/stain them even with pads and its easier to just throw them out. My first black bin collection was literally bags of nappies, pads and giant ruined granny knickers :/

 

[TORino]

See I never had a section but delivered in theatre with keillands forceps and a mcroberts manoeuvre after a 2 day Labour.

The lass opposite to me was up and had her catheter removed before I did and she had a section - I was most annoyed, I remember begging the midwife to take out the catheter and she said it was written by the doctor I had to have it in for an extended period.

I remember as I had so many painkillers struggling to have a poo afterwards but really needing to go and drinking loads and loads of water to try and flush it out. I think I’ll probably get some lactulose or something next time. I also remember being fuming at my husband who had told half of my family to come to my house as I was discharged to see the baby and all I wanted to do was be in my house and take my first crap in peace

 

[ChloeNat]

Three words... After Birth Contractions

Especially when breastfeeding!

It helps your uterus shrink but boy is it painful. AND it gets worse with each baby.

 

[Wednesday]

Three words... After Birth Contractions

Especially when breastfeeding!

It helps your uterus shrink but boy is it painful. AND it gets worse with each baby.

I didnt get here last time... second baby now so we will see!

 

[Shanivy]

Three words... After Birth Contractions

Especially when breastfeeding!

It helps your uterus shrink but boy is it painful. AND it gets worse with each baby.

What?! I've never heard it gets worse lol can't wait :/ they were bad enough last time breastfeeding, I thought they'd missed a baby!!

 

[Shanivy]

See I never had a section but delivered in theatre with keillands forceps and a mcroberts manoeuvre after a 2 day Labour.

The lass opposite to me was up and had her catheter removed before I did and she had a section - I was most annoyed, I remember begging the midwife to take out the catheter and she said it was written by the doctor I had to have it in for an extended period.

I remember as I had so many painkillers struggling to have a poo afterwards but really needing to go and drinking loads and loads of water to try and flush it out. I think I’ll probably get some lactulose or something next time. I also remember being fuming at my husband who had told half of my family to come to my house as I was discharged to see the baby and all I wanted to do was be in my house and take my first crap in peace

That just shows how different we all are doesn't it?

Haha yes definitely tell family to wait until you're ready!! I would have sent people home tbh lol but that's just me. The after birth BM is a big deal lol xx

 

[ChloeNat]

Three words... After Birth Contractions

Especially when breastfeeding!

It helps your uterus shrink but boy is it painful. AND it gets worse with each baby.

What?! I've never heard it gets worse lol can't wait :/ they were bad enough last time breastfeeding, I thought they'd missed a baby!!

My Midwife told me it's because your uterus shrinks much faster with each pregnancy. Kinda like labour usually being quicker and breastfeeding being easier with each baby, your body just knows what its doing.

 

[Shanivy]

Three words... After Birth Contractions

Especially when breastfeeding!

It helps your uterus shrink but boy is it painful. AND it gets worse with each baby.

What?! I've never heard it gets worse lol can't wait :/ they were bad enough last time breastfeeding, I thought they'd missed a baby!!

My Midwife told me it's because your uterus shrinks much faster with each pregnancy. Kinda like labour usually being quicker and breastfeeding being easier with each baby, your body just knows what its doing.

Feel like that should be a positive thing but it doesn't sound that way haha

 

[MrsLaw]

LOL, this thread had me in tears.. I think i've always dismissed the idea of having a water birth too due to fear of floating poo and debris post birth.

I'll probs have a section though, thanks for the heads up about doubling the maternity pads and big pants! I'm off to primark.

Any idea on the best painkillers to take whilst breastfeeding?

 

[Shanivy]

I'd ask the midwife on that. I didn't take any painkillers. I had stitches but they weren't really that bad. The after pains were when breastfeeding, but I just sort of suffered through haha. The ladies who had sections in the ward with me were given paracetamol. I'm sure they appreciated bloody paracetamol after a major op like that.

Also water birth is amazing it has to be said. Don't let the idea of unwanted guests put you off. It doesn't always happen. I'm asking for one again hopefully x

 

[Wednesday]

I took paracetamol while breastfeeding. It was fine, honestly x

 

[TORino]

I came home with a bag full of pills and I breastfed. I’m sure it was fine. I think I had diclofenac as well possibly.

 

[Shanivy]

LOL, this thread had me in tears.. I think i've always dismissed the idea of having a water birth too due to fear of floating poo and debris post birth.

I'll probs have a section though, thanks for the heads up about doubling the maternity pads and big pants! I'm off to primark.

Any idea on the best painkillers to take whilst breastfeeding?

I'm not sure but midwives will prob give you some to take home if you ask. I think most painkillers called "not suitable" for bfing are just because they mess your milk supply up? But definitely ask for some before you leave xx

 

[April4415]

I was just told I could have paracetamol and ibuprofen xx

 

[Shanivy]

Lovely conversation with with OH and this popped into my head

1. The first push when you suddenly feel the baby's head is soooo weird. Freaked me out lol

2. But the softest most expensive toilet paper you can for coming home. Serious