LilSugar

Mommy's Lil Helper: femé Pads

babysugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 08:00:48 -0700

If necessity is the mother of all invention, then why did it take so long for someone to create a product to help ease immediate postpartum discomfort? Earlier this year, lilsugar told you about the diaper ice pack nurses gave her when her son was born.

As I gear up for the birth of my second lil one, I am curious to see what is new to the market. An Australian company named SmartChoices had created a "reusable" version of Lil's pack, called femé Pads ($20 for two). The elongated oval cooling pads come with disposable gauze covers and can be used to help soothe both post-episiotomy and hemorrhoid pain. Some women I know could have used these pain relievers. It's certainly a more proper alternative to the condom popsicle!

Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me: Vaginal Popsicles

babysugar — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 10:13:41 -0700

If you think condoms only have one purpose, you are sorely (and I mean sorely) mistaken. One of the "treats" that the nurses quickly introduced me to in the maternity ward after delivering my baby was the genius ice diaper. An instant pain reliever, not every new mother is lucky enough to receive such pampered treatment. For those who have swollen and bruised nether regions post delivery, I've got another secret.

A friend of mine was tipped off from a mother, who also happens to be a doctor, to fill a condom with water and freeze it. When the discomfort kicks in, take the vaginal popsicle out of the ice box and lay it length wise in your undies to give your girly parts some relief. To keep you dry, use a feminine napkin to catch the ice's perspiration.

Source

Mommy's Lil Helper: Diaper Ice Packs

LilSugar — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 09:00:19 -0800

Most moms worry about the pain of childbirth, but the real surprise comes with its aftermath. Before having my daughter, I heard a rumor that you had to sit on an ice ring after having your baby.

So I wasn't too startled and actually welcomed the ice pack the nurse gave me in the postpartum room. If you want to see what happened, read more.

While it did wonders for the swelling, the packs and pads soaking up blood had to be switched out often. This can be a bit tricky when you're completely exhausted and have had an epidural.

By the time I delivered my son a couple of years later, the savvy nurses had come up with a new solution. They took newborn diapers, slit the inside lining and filled it with crushed ice. Absorbent and cold, it was a new mom's heaven.

If you're headed to the hospital, it doesn't hurt to ask if they have any.

Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me: Shared Postpartum Rooms

LilSugar — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 05:00:52 -0700

Most women are no holds barred when giving birth - some scream, others go silent and 75 percent poop during delivery. Regardless of the antics, no one focuses on anything other than the baby making its debut. Hospitals normally offer spacious birthing rooms for expectant ladies to labor in that fit the father and anyone else the couple wants to invite to witness the arrival. But once the newborn has been welcomed into the world, the family is usually moved to smaller postpartum accommodations. In my experience, the basic quarters included a bed, a futon type piece of furniture for the dad, space to roll up the babe's bassinet, a couple of chairs and an in-suite bathroom. Though it was a tight squeeze with nurses shuffling in and out, the peace of a private room gave my husband and me time to bond with our infant and visit with relatives and friends.

Our hospital only offers single rooms so I was surprised to learn that many mommies spend their children's first days of life with roommates! I'm a big believer in the more, the merrier - except in this situation. I recall asking my husband to toss my catheter bag behind the table before guests arrived, sprinkling blood across the floor as I made my way towards the shower and having my diaper ice packs changed after enduring a pretty intense tear. While these things are part of motherhood, they made me a bit woozy and I can't imagine having to worry about my bunk mate and her baby's feelings. Would sharing a postpartum room bother you?

Got a few other secrets that you learned the hard way? Come dish with us on all the things your mama forgot to tell you in our Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me group over in our LilSugar community!

Source: Flickr User Emery Co Photo