I am currently 39 weeks pregnant, and this post is about a few things I got for postpartum.
I started researching all things about having a baby before getting pregnant. I loved learning about my baby, labour, birth, and breastfeeding. But, I completely overlooked, by choice, the postpartum weeks and everything related to them. Now that time is running out for me, I felt it was time to buy a few things.
About making purchases, I am on the minimal side and very intentional with how I spend my money. I do not let myself be caught by the pressure of stocking many items in my home. I know that, in this day and age, there is always time and ways to buy more. This is the reason why I bought only a few postbirth essentials. These have been recommended to me during the NCT antenatal classes I attended and, I learnt, are must-haves, whether I give birth naturally or via c-section.
- Disposable underwear. I got a pack of nine, size M, in black. A short foreword: I am a fan of reusable period underwear. I have four pairs and wanted to use them for post-birth. Actually, I was heavily discouraged from doing so. I was told that period underwear is not absorbent enough for postpartum discharge. Not to mention, I do not want to spend those first few days at home with a newborn washing and drying underwear. So, despite being against anything disposable, I decided to buy these.
- Maternity pads. I got six boxes of ten, for a total of sixty. I was warned I might need to change the maternity pad as often as once per hour during the first days after giving birth, so I stocked up on them.
- Reusable cold/warm pad for pain relief. This looks very promising to me! It is meant to be applied frozen for perineal discomfort or warmed up for post-birth cramping (to be used on the abdomen). It comes with disposable sleeves (which you can always re-purchase if you need more).
- Reusable breast pads: I got two boxes of four, for a total of eight. They came with a handy washing bag that can be put in the washing machine to keep them from mixing with other pieces of clothing. I believed I could buy these after going back home with my baby, but they are actually listed by the birth centre as items I am meant to bring with me when I go in. Anyway, since I plan to breastfeed for as long as possible, I guess there is no harm in buying them.
I purchased all of these items on Amazon – you can find them on my storefront.
I hope you enjoyed this blog post, and do not forget to let me know your comments below!
Have a lovely rest of your day,
Alice