Even though it had only been just shy of 2 years, I had forgotten from Miss Roo’s birth to Baby Boy’s birth the rapid discomfort that appears in the first 24 hours. Having a home birth this time around, I had much better support and a lot more surrounding comfort than in the past. However, I still found these 4 items to be of a huge help to me in the first 48-72 hours after birth.
A Heating Pad
All my kids have taken a toll on my tailbone. Each time I have delivered, I have experienced a lot of pain and aching in my tailbone within 20-30 minutes birth. With the girls, I was in a hospital and was told that I’d have to have a doctor’s order to receive a heating pad. This time, my pad was plugged in next to the bed for weeks before Baby Boy was born. Once he was here and everything was settled, I rotated using it on my tailbone to ease the aching and my abdomen to help ease the after pains. Interestingly, easing the tailbone pain first and then warming my abdomen helped with the after pains tremendously. Use heat before your nurse to help make the pains more manageable and nursing more enjoyable. Bonding with your baby is so special during this time and your comfort is necessary.
Cal Mag
I used a supplement called Cal Mag during my pregnancy to help with leg cramps. I suffered from leg cramps nightly once I reached 3rd trimester. Taking a dose of Cal Mag about an hour before bedtime helped keep the cramps at bay. My midwife suggested using Cal Mag to help with the after pains and she was right. Taking a dose of Cal Mag like I’d take Tylenol helped with the after pains tremendously. I realized this after missing a dose in the first 24 hours and the pains made me physically ill. Using the Cal Mag with the heating pad was a dynamic duo of pain relief.
Coconut Water
I remember the first drink that I had after Miss Moo was born- it was ginger ale with cranberry juice. Although mighty tasty, I didn’t feel particularly refreshed and kept asking for water. After Baby Boy was born, one of my midwives brought me the most delightful concoction I had ever tasted – ice cold coconut water with a splash of orange juice. The coconut water quenched my thirst and helped rebuild my energy. The orange juice helped the coconut water go down a bit more smoothly at first since I was still a little off from the after pains. Each time I would get ready to nurse, Drew would make me this delightful drink and I’d start the session after I drank it. The coconut water gave me hydration, some calories, and some variety in beverage when I was faced with the task of nursing and drinking glass after glass of water for the marathon of newborn nursing.
Ask for Help
Always remember that you are just as important as your newborn. You WILL need help in the first few days and weeks after your baby is born. Ask for it. Your friends and family are there to help you. Ask for things that you want, will help ease any discomfort, and will make your job of being Mommy easier. Prop up, eat and drink, and cuddle that blessing you just brought earth-side.
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