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I would just like to add a big thanks for those reviews on the Diva Cup and Keeper - I've been thinking about using some sort of cup instead of tampons/pads after I recover from birth (I'm due with #1 in a week)... but have been wanting to ask about that as well:
Does anyone have any advice for me regarding how to deal with the super-heavy flow (so I hear) after birth? I'm concerned about the heavy bleaching of regular pads (or is that really a big deal for a short time?), the expense of organic ones (are they worth it?) and the waste of both (although I'm willing to sacrifice some of my environmental concerns for comfort in the early weeks!).
I would appreciate any advice from you wonderful, experienced CD'ing mommas. |
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While I have not personally used the Diva or Keeper, all I can say is that the last thing I would have wanted to be doing after giving birth was pulling something in and out. I had internal and external tearing and stitches, and sure didn't want to be messing around there!
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I agree. I would look it up on the Diva cup or Keeper website but I doubt it's recomend for post-partum flow unless you've had a c-section... Most women have some kind of tears or at the very least the vaginal area is supremely sensitive and downright sore. Now, for your first true period, that's a different story...
But for post-partum bleeding you need something outside the body to absorb flow. Some use just cloth or disposable post-partum pads (and switch to regular pads once the flow gets a little lighter after the first couple of weeks). Others use special bed 'pads' to protect their mattress (perhaps in combination with a regular pad of some kind). I've even heard of people using disposable newborn sized diapers!! Cloth diapers might work as well, just being very vigilant to change often since they're not water-proof on their own... If a cloth option isn't for you and you're concerned about bleached pads I'd definetly go for the unbleached ones. I'm not sure how much of an 'issue' the bleaching is for just a couple of weeks but if this is something that concerns you then why not? And they're better for the environment anyway...
I personally just used up some disposable pads I had leftover from before I used a menstrual cup... I considered cloth post-partum pads but I couldn't justify the expense for something I'd use for just a couple of weeks (and I wasn't planning on more babies).
Karen. |
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I gave birth in a hospital, and they provided thick pads for me to use while I was there. After I got home, my regular overnight menstrual pad worked well until the bleeding subsided. I imagine that you could use whatever worked for your heavy flow days, other than a tampon. If I remember correctly, tampons were not to be used at all during the post-partum recovery. According to the diva cup website (I'm planning to buy one soon) the cup should not be used whenever you are told not to use a tampon.
One thing I didn't realize before I had my baby is that incontinence can be a temporary problem during the post-partum period as well. My menstrual pads helped with occassional leaks as well.
Good luck and congrats! |
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Thanks for your replies, ladies, although I don't have any intention of inserting anything right after birth - I thought I was clear about that, but pregnancy brain may have overridden  .
What I was looking for were tips for managing the post-partum heavy flow, preferably with something reuseable and non-bleached. I've gotten some Kissaluvs super-soakers (they felt really soft and absorbent) and am going to try and use those for the really heavy times. I've also ordered some homemade "medium" reuseable pads for when things get lighter. I have some regular, disposable, overnight maxi's just in case, too.
If anyone has any additional tips (esp regarding the reuseable stuff), bring it on . Thanks! |
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Sorry, probably my fault.
From my own experience, which obviously may not be what everyone has, the lochia was super heavy and nasty for only the first few days. After that it was more like a normal period, very managable, and gradually tapering away. It's been a while, but something in the back of my brain seems to suggest that breastfeeding can help reduce the flow? Or perhaps get rid of it faster, since it speeds uterine contraction? Anyway, all that to say, I think you're probably set. |
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