Our newborn Journey. . . Post natal care remedies!

So as a few of you who have been following Mothersons will know, I gave birth to my baby boy recently. . . Introducing baby Jackson Steven White! Born on  Monday 14th August 2017 at 10.05am. He weighed 8lbs 13.5oz so a nice healthy size outdoing his brother who was still 8lbs 70z. Here are some of my favourite first photos of us all. Jackson is our Rainbow baby after a few losses over the years so he is very special to us and so incredibly well loved. I feel so proud and blessed to now have two beautiful son’s in my life. x

 

I had a natural labour and gave birth on all fours in 2 hours, after about 4 hours of very intense contractions (no breaks!) which started at 6am (nice wake up call hey!) and the majority of those hours I was standing for so that was quite tough going. My husband was a fantastic support to me though helping me through the surges, helping me to stay calm and leaning, holding onto him and anything else within my path. As soon as I woke up my gut feeling was that ‘this is definitely the day’.

I’d been having braxton hicks, lots of lower abdominal and back ache in the days leading up to the birth and strangely enough at the weekend we had a false alarm with what I though was my waters starting to trickle away, but after being checked over it wasn’t and that was a relief as we were keen to avoid an induction with this birth and hoped to start labour naturally. Anxiously looking out for any active labour signs as things were progressing well with early labour, but very slowly and being a week overdue by this point was quite disheartening and very uncomfortable.

We had been learning Hypnobirthing and having classes locally taught to us by Helen Wheller at http://www.thewisehippo.com/

It was really good preparation for the birth and I would now recommend it to anyone that has thought or heard about hypnobirthing I just couldn’t of done it without this help! The breathing techniques, relaxation methods were a big part of my labour from start to finish and I only used a tens machine all throughout which was great as I was mobile which is what I wanted. The only thing we missed out on is a pool birth and as luck would have it there wouldn’t of been enough time that morning anyway. I am such an organised person and we had a whole list of other things in our birth plan expecting it may take hours and hours so it was quite a shock that things happened so quickly!

A much better birth experience all in all than my first sons which was rather long and traumatic. However I did suffer a 2nd degree tear still so some damage has been done and mummy has been working hard to help the healing process. After asking people close to me and doing a bit of research I found these ‘Tips & Tricks’ so thought I would share with others who may find this useful. Also remember it’s not just the lower half that can suffer, the rest of your body needs TLC too! Something I wish hospitals and midwives gave out more info on when being discharged from the hospital or receiving your first home visit! Its actually a bug bear of mine now the focus is all on breastfeeding it seems and mothers are the last ones thought about most of the time. The only hand outs I received was leaflets and a contraception pack. We are so far behind the times it seems … there is so much more that can be offered out to new mums here!  Anyway here is a useful list most with product links to what has helped me. You may want to buy a few small makeup type bags to pop these little things into and be able to take around the house or out with you.

Post natal kits 

 

Breasts

Avent nipple shields (great for early latching discomfort)

Avent reusable breast pads & Lansinoh breast pads (both super absorbent, soft and I’m a fan of re-usables as so easy and saves money too)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-SCF155-06-Washable-Breast/dp/B000MMS5IA/ref=sr_1_20?s=baby&ie=UTF8&qid=1503312619&sr=1-20

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lansinoh-Disposable-Nursing-Pads-Pieces/dp/B000WHHKEU

Coconut oil (Can be purchased just about everwhere & has so many uses, it is soothing to sore nipples)

Haakaa breast pump (BEST BUY EVER! I can feed one side and pump the other or simply walk around the house hands free while the pump is working all by itself! Its also quite an inexpensive pump and works brilliantly)

100ml Silicone Breast Pump

Muslin cloths (For laying on breasts as a hot compress soothes them. Just run under hot water)

http://uk.lizearle.com/cleanse-tone-moisturise/pure-muslin-cloths.html

Lanisoh milk storage bags (great for simply pouring milk into from my Haakaa breast pump and gets labelled with the date and popped straight into the fridge for me to top up throughout the day)

https://www.lansinoh.co.uk/products/breastmilk-storage-bags-1

Skin care

Bodyshop Nutriganics range (I use the facial foam wash and smoothing day & night cream. It has done wonders for my skin through pregnancy and even now)

https://www.thebodyshop.com/en-gb/range/nutriganics-skin-care/c/c00099

Bodyshop Olive oil soap

https://www.thebodyshop.com/en-gb/body/soaps/olive-soap/p/p000945

Palmers stretch mark therapy oil

http://www.boots.com/palmers-cocoa-butter-formula-skin-therapy-oil-150ml-10097302

Perineal repair (bruising & swelling)

Aloe Vera Gel

http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/search?query=aloe+vera+gel&isSearch=true

Mini Water bottles (fill with cooled boiled water & a couple of drops of pure lavender oil to pour on your bottom while you pee)

Good cushioned pads (Tenna Lady are great)

Cotton wool pads (for gentle cleaning)

Arnica tablets

http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/nelsons-arnica-pillules-60083408?skuid=083408

Post natal ring cushion

http://www.mothercare.com/pregnancy-care/mothercare-post-partum-pillow/845913.html

Tummy & back ache

Lavender microwave heat bag

Ibuprofen (for swelling, pains)

Deep Freeze pain gel (for back)

Top Tips: Remember to stand and bend forward, squat slightly to pee or poo gently and breath slow if you need to as this helps the urine not to touch the back where the perineal wound is. Honestly I didn’t believe it until I tried it and it works! The stinging pain was unbearable otherwise from the urine and this was far more comfy than trying to sit down which hurts and strains.

Use a Post natal ring cushion to sit on and be as upright with cushions supporting your back as you can. I have a soft mothercare one I bought a long time ago and I’m not sure if they do the same one but I found a link above to one anyway.  They are worth every penny in my opinion.

I’ve been using our old rocking chair quite a lot to feed baby in the nursery whether breast, bottle or pumping breast milk as it’s so relaxing and the arm rests (plus laying him on a pillow) are handy for keeping me and baby comfortable, baby is up high to me for feeding especially. I can also rock him gently off to sleep afterwards… we both love it any time of day/night.

Now I hope the above reading has been useful to any new mummies or mummies to be out there. I am only ‘one week’ post birth and already feeling a little better so I hope to continue easing my discomfort and speed up the recovery post birth process now. Good luck to all of you and if anyone would like to comment on the blog or has any questions I am always happy to help!

Love Katrina x

Mothersons