I know you probably already have a whole collection of tips for your labor and delivery, and afterwards... but here's one that my friends gave me, and it's quite priceless... would never have thought of that!
During your hospital stay, you'll bleed a lot after your delivery. Extra-absorbant "mommy" pads won't be enough. You'll have to change them very often, plus you'll be bothered by the worry that you'll stain your underwear or the sheets and so on.
My friends advised me to buy... Depends! (incontinence disposable underwear... not pads, the whole underwear). Putting a package in your grocery basket is quite an experience, but my best friend delivered her baby on Sunday and she followed that advice. She told me it was TOTALLY worth it! She said that, in addition to being just practical and worry-free, it's also much looser than a pad (which will rub right against your genitalia), so given that you have some tearing in the area, it's actually way more comfortable. She used four underwears the first day and night, and she just put them in the trash and picked a new one when she was done! She made a joke with the first nurse who saw her wearing this, but the nurse said it was indeed the best option!
After your hospital stay, the bleeding subsides and pads become the most practical option.
So there you go... thought I'd share that tip, because nobody mentioned it during prenatal classes, and I didn't read it in any book!
Happy delivery,
Sophie
