How do you best prepare for after you have given birth?

To you who want to read the blog:

When we are going to have a baby, there is one thing that is certain. The baby has to come out. Most of the people I know choose to have a vaginal birth. I did too. There is a big difference in why people choose this, and some opt for a cesarean section, either because it is safest for them, or because it is necessary during the birth. There is nothing right or wrong, I want to emphasize that.

I will primarily talk about a vaginal birth, because that is what I have experienced myself. And two, that's where the advice I have is the most. I will certainly mention if there is anything that can also be used for a cesarean section.

When we talk about births, there are many different emotions associated with giving birth.

I think that giving birth is the wildest experience I have ever had. The coolest thing I have done. It is the most painful thing I have experienced. And it's crazy that you can articulate so much about it and emotionally feel so far apart. But it is... it is really crazy. I had a labor lasting nearly 3 days. It was a bit wild.

But regardless, it is simply the greatest experience I have ever had. I won't say much about my actual birth, but I really want to share a bit about the advice I received along the way. And actually, I want to mainly share a bit about what happens when you have given birth, and the days after.

I want to quickly say that if you have the courage for it and the time and energy, then read the book called Pain-Free Birth. I was really glad to have read it. It provides a good insight into what actually happens when we have contractions. It also gives some good advice on how you can manage the pain along the way. So if you haven't read it, go find Pain-Free Birth. It is really good to have with you.

Okay. I actually want to talk a little more about what happens from the moment we have given birth, and afterwards, because it is actually a topic that you don't find much information about. And it actually surprised me a bit when I had given birth, all that actually happens to the body afterwards. I hadn't thought much about that. I had prepared myself tremendously for the birth. I had prepared myself tremendously for breastfeeding, and for my little son to arrive and all that was involved. But I hadn't thought much about how my body might feel afterwards, after I had pushed a little human out through my vagina.

So I think we should talk a bit about that. And a few good tips on how you can best get through it. Because when we talk about vaginal birth, I have to say, it really hurts. Of course it hurts when you give birth, but also afterwards. I hadn’t quite thought about the fact that I was actually pushing a little human out through my vagina.

So of course it hurts afterwards. And there are actually some products that can help you ease the discomfort and make it a bit less painful. And I simply don't know what I would have done without someone telling me to invest in this. The first thing I would like to mention is a postpartum water bottle. It works simply by you putting warm water in it, and then you can turn it around so you can squeeze it, and it sprays warm water up into your genitals. You can do this when you have been to the bathroom. Wiping after giving birth really hurts. It is so uncomfortable.

Especially if you have been stitched. I only got a single stitch, but I know that some people have it much worse. Regardless of whether it was an uncomplicated birth or not, it really hurts in your lower body. You only need to use it for a while, but it's worth every penny. I promise you. So a postpartum water bottle, go for it.

The next thing I hadn't really thought about is that you actually need to use some really intense pads because we bleed a lot when we have given birth. And afterwards I thought, of course we do. After all, a human comes out. And still, I hadn't given it much thought. This particularly happens both when you give birth vaginally and when you have a cesarean. Because it also has to do with the blood that comes when the placenta detaches, among other things.

Such a little naughty thing here. But it is indeed really necessary. I really like the ones from The Weeks. They are extra soft, organic, and they are really, really good for your sore lower body. And they stay really well in place in your underwear. So a really good investment. It's like a pack of postpartum pads.

Postpartum panties are also a must-have. Use them also when you are pregnant because they fit really well, and they provide some support that holds your belly. And one thing is, it's nice that we're pregnant, but it's actually really nice after you've given birth that there's something holding you because you are incredibly sore. It hurts, and it is nice to have something that doesn't have stitches and which supports you really well around your belly.

So invest in a pair like that. There are two in a pack, the ones we have from Carriewell. Again, worth every penny. I actually used them both when I was pregnant, but I used them for quite a while afterwards because they are super comfortable to wear. So you should definitely have those, and you should take them with you to the hospital. There’s also something about the panties you get in the hospital. They are not very comfortable to wear. They provide no support at all and fit loosely.

The panties also make your postpartum pads sit much better, and it feels more stable and secure when you wear them, rather than those rather frivolous panties you get in the hospital. They are actually quite trivial.

Then there are two products that I would like to show, and it is a pain relief spray and a pad that you can make cold and warm. These are two products that are optional if you want to treat yourself extra well. Fortunately, I was spared a lot, but I know that some have had it quite tough on their lower body after giving birth, and where they may have been stitched a bit more, and it has split a bit more, I know they have been really pleased with this pain relief spray. Again, the idea that you don't touch yourself when it is really, really sore and tender. So the fact that you can just spray something on that takes the edge off the pain you have is really nice.

If you have an uncomplicated birth and don’t really feel it, then this is overkill. However, if the mishap occurs, as we know most people experience, where you get a bit injured, then it is really good to have with you.

You can go on forever, but most of all, really think about the fact that there is also something afterwards when you have given birth, since there is also a healing process for your lower body. You have to deal with it while also being with the little new wonder that you just can’t get enough of. You are hormonal, you need to learn to breastfeed, and it may not go quite as planned, or the milk doesn't come in. There are a thousand things you need to deal with. So it is really nice to have control over this, so you don’t have to be standing there juggling with something that hurts you more than absolutely necessary.

That is probably one of the most important recommendations I can offer. I can't emphasize it enough, and I feel like it isn’t talked about enough. So promise me that you take good care of yourself right after you've given birth. That way it will be a great experience and some wonderful first days for you and your baby.

If you want to ask anything additional about this somewhat special topic, please reach out. That’s why I am here. And I am more than happy to talk about it.

Best of luck with the greatest experience in the whole world.