LilSugar

Postpartum C-Section Surprises

Rebecca M Gruber — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:01:24 PDT

Having a c-section isn't something most women wish for, but it doesn't have to be a scary experience. Going into the procedure with some knowledge of what to expect helps mamas-to-be prepare for their post-surgery experience. We've rounded up some of the biggest surprises women face after leaving the operating room.

12 Utterly Unglamorous Items to Have on Hand Postdelivery

LilSugar — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 12:41:45 PDT

Congratulations! Once a woman gets through the actual birth, the hard part is over, right? Not so much. As natural as it is, childbirth can wreak havoc on a woman's body, and we're not talking about stretch marks and a belly pooch. While mama is now dealing with the after effects of birth, she's also caring for a newborn and working her way through some powerful postpartum hormone swings. It's not exactly a cake walk, but it goes without saying that these effects should be worn as a badge of honor that helped bring a precious lil one into the world.

Keep reading for a selection of items that aren't nearly as fun to shop for as itty bitty booties, but will be far more appreciated in the weeks postpartum.

Vaginal Birth Is Full of Postpartum Surprises!

LilSugar — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 13:00:00 PDT

Delivery is expected, but the aftermath isn't! First time moms are often shocked to find how sore, torn, and tired they are after baby makes its way down the birth canal! After the surreal hours of meeting the babe subside, a woman starts to feel the pangs of her labor. Ladies can try these five ways to quell the postpartum pains and get back to focusing on the new bundle of joy!

Alternate Uses For Items in Postpartum Hospital Bag

LilSugar — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 07:00:26 PST

When it's time to take baby home from the hospital, don't leave your postpartum bag of supplies behind! Not only do the medical items inside come in handy for obvious reasons, but they have alternate uses that most new mamas probably won't dream up until they are in a pinch. Check out our tips and put your stash to good use.

6 Post-Pregnancy Garments to Help the Body Bounce Back

LilSugar — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:30:00 PST

Nine months up, nine months down may be a post-natal mama's mantra, but that doesn't mean she can't get to work on that body sooner. Once baby arrives, a new mom's belly doesn't shrink down as quickly as she might have expected. For generations, women around the world have bound their postpartum bodies to help retrain their midsections and 65 percent of LilSugar readers think binding garments will help them return to their pre-baby bodies. Before mum is cleared to diet and exercise, there are a bevy of post-pregnancy compression garments designed to help put the body back where it started. Take a look at some of the options.

Tummy Tucking Belly Band Roundup

babysugar — Sat, 23 May 2009 05:00:00 PDT

If there were a magic pill new mommies could swallow to snap their postpartum tummies back into pre-pregnancy shape, the pharmacy lines would stretch a mile long. Without said miracle capsule, moms turn to belly shaping gadgets to help them trim down a tad faster than usual. Hey, if it worked for Rebecca Romijn, it might for me!

The Belly Bandit

Spanx

Tauts

Tauts Tightens Postpartum and Muffin Top Tummies

babysugar — Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:51 PDT

The saying, "Where there's a will, there's a way" may work most instances in life. But when it comes to losing that baby weight, sometimes it takes more than desire. For some, it takes the magical belly wrap called Tauts. Created by celebmama Brooke Burke, the $56 neoprene band is available in black and white and has a lace option ($62) for women craving a sexier style.

How does it work? Similar to the Belly Bandit, Tauts is a tummy band with a Velcro closure that binds the stomach and reduces the size of the swollen uterus and helps limit water retention. In the meantime, it holds the bloated tummy in tight while helping to shed inches in a timely manner. For best results, the creators recommend wearing it for 40 days immediately after delivering the baby - cesareans included. And for mommies who had their babes years ago, there's still hope. It is said to work for anyone looking to cinch her waistline.

To see Brooke Burke perform a video demonstration,

Belly Bandit Steals the Tummy Away

babysugar — Tue, 12 May 2009 14:00:00 PDT

Many pregnant women are under the false pretense that once the baby exits the womb and enters the world, their tummy will snap back into place just as it was before the seed was planted. Unfortunately, the body doesn't exactly work that way. Many women leave the hospital smiling with a newborn, but frowning inside at the state of their postpartum flabby figure.

Unlike the outlaw type "bandit," the Belly Bandit comes to mama's rescue and holds her up with a belt instead of a gun. Three days after giving birth to my son, I slapped my black-and-leopard print reversible couture band ($56) around my thickened midsection and prayed the gizmo would work its magic. Upon seeing me, my mom exclaimed, "Will that work on me even if I didn't just have a baby?" Excited by my new and improved figure, I wore it religiously for the suggested six week minimum every night and day only taking it off for showers. There were times I wanted to rip it off to allow my body to breathe, but I held fast and stuck with the program and am glad I did.

I don't know if I can give all the credit to the Belly Bandit for losing my baby weight faster than the last time around, but I know I'd never brave postpartum life again without one!

Bringing Sexy Back: Belly Bandit

babysugar — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 05:00:23 PDT

Leaving the maternity ward with a plump tummy and swollen ankles can make even the happiest of new mothers feeling a tad depressed. Most moms expect to exit the hospital feeling a tad more svelte as they shed an entire new body's worth of weight.

For those desperate to bounce back into a lean, mean mama machine, the Belly Bandit may be your best weapon. Eager mothers can use the compression wrap a day after delivery. The binding reduces swelling of the uterus and keeps the bloating from water retention to a minimum. Available in three different styles, Original ($40), Couture ($50), and Bamboo ($60), moms can adopt the stretchy Velcro bound wrap routine for six to eight weeks for tummy firming results.

Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me: Postpartum Supplies

LilSugar — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 09:00:06 PDT

Stocking up for baby is similar to gathering supplies for an emergency kit, you never really know what's missing until disaster strikes.

Sure, people suggested I prepare while pregnant and I felt secure with my stack of onesies and tower of receiving blankets, but I completely forgot about myself. For all you moms-to-be, these were my three biggest mistakes. To see what they were,

Pads - Having used tampons pretty much since I got my period, I never paid attention to the terms "dry weave," "with wings" and "overnights." But, bulk packs of those products are what saved my postpartum pants. And, "ultra thins" are the way new moms can go out without feeling like they are the one wearing diapers.
Electric Breast Pump - In an instant, I was Dolly Parton and the $50 manual pump I bought on the advice of a male employee at Target didn't do the trick. After sopping the milk up with washcloths, then hand towels - neither of which helped a bit, my husband went out and threw down $300 for the best electric pump he could find. And, I waited at home on the couch wrapped in a soaked over-sized bath-towel bewildered by my body.
Food - When we brought home our daughter, all I had in the cabinet was two dozen baby bottles and a big ole bag of hard coffee candies. When a hunger pang hit, I ate a couple handfuls and then practically hallucinated for the rest of the day. An empty stomach, caffeine and sleep deprivation are a frightening mix. Later, my aunt brought over enchiladas which balanced things out. Definitely do a big shop close to your delivery date or allow friends and relatives to bring you homemade food or take-out.

Luckily, I learned from my errors. When we arrived home from the hospital with our son, things ran rather smoothly!

Do you have any items to add to this list?