UPDATE: All 13 Moms who posted their replies are WINNERS!
Asked how they cared for themselves after delivery, fellow moms share with us their postpartum care tips and in keeping feminine hygiene a top priority:-
To all the winners, make sure you have liked the Mommy Lace Facebook Page and email lacellanora (at) gmail.com your full names.
Claiming of prizes is on Monday, November 29 – 10AM until 11AM only at Seattle’s Best Greenbelt 3. (I will just be there having coffee while working on an iPhone App Store Link and reading its Press Release )
1. Magnet 979
After I gave birth I was advised to go on a high fiber diet so I won’t go on having that hard time to defecate. Increase in fluid intake and vit.C was a must, Hygiene 10x more of what I routinely do when i wasn’t pregnant with the help of Ph Care. I had a normal delivery for both of my kids. 🙂
2. Vivian Aguilar
I made sure to breastfeed my baby after giving birth. Breastfeeding is a sure fire way to lose those pregnancy weight. But most especially, it will keep you bonded with your baby. I don’t stress myself and I do watch what I eat because it would affect my breastmilk.
3. Kat
Although I delivered via CS, I still made sure that I did every precaution against any type of infection. I was particularly concerned with that area as well as my cut. For the duration of my healing, I used diluted PH Care Intimate Wash and it was also after I gave birth that I used feminine wipes. I used a different brand before but when I read on a blog about PH Care, I immediately switched since I have always felt safe, clean and protected with PH Care Intimate Wash.
Like magnet, I was also advised to drink lots of fluids and eat lots of fiber so I don’t exert effort on my cut. Also, I was advised to wash regularly for the first few weeks if possible. It was because I didn’t give birth naturally that discharge from the pregnancy may still follow.
4. Maria Avelo Navarro
I gave birth through CS section,but still i made sure that being fresh all day is my primary concern especially that i was on bikini cut,and nothing helps me to soothe the pain by using a balanced and mild feminine wash,it makes you feel less guilt when you accidentally touch the cs cut.
5. Janese Halabaso
My first born child’s delivery was done thru cs..i really had no idea at all how it painful and delicate it was until i was advised by my ob during my post partum visit to use a mild feminine wash. She suggested that I use Ph care intimate wash . She had no idea that im a big fan already of PH Care Shower fresh Scent. With the Shower Fresh scent of PH care , i was able to go back (little by little ) to my daily routine , as it helps freshen me up ignoring a bit of that aw! feeling in my cut. And up to now that my youngest son is already 4 yrs.old , I’m still a fan of PH Care. Now, for those women experiencing pain and itch after delivery, i suggest they use PH Care Intimate Wash everyday to freshen up and experience that clean feeling minus scare of getting an infection .
*Click on the read more link for the next 5 winners*
6. Alacerna
When I gave birth through natural delivery to my firstborn last June 2009, I used to envy the others who had their moms or lolas looking after them postpartum. I didn’t have any of those so I just relied on the sound medical advise of my OB to keep my episiotomy clean so that it will heal well. That means no boiled guava leaves for me, just a simple antiseptic feminine wash like Ph care will do. So I did just that, and on my next postnatal checkup my OB was impressed at how well my episiotomy healed.
7. Merlinda Little
After I gave birth, I followed the advice of the doctor to use feminine wash as it will help in healing the wounds especially if it is a normal delivery. I remember how painful it is to pee and to wash my sensitive area. I make sure that my hands are clean every time I wash. I also started using/taking my vitamin A for my skin since we are not allowed to take too much vitamin A when we are pregnant because they might affect the physical development of the baby. If my time allows, I also take time to nourish my skin since options are limited during pregnancy on what you can put to your skin. Its all worth the sacrifices though.
8. Nicquee
I gave birth via normal delivery section. That area was quite swollen because I gave birth to a big baby (Maxyn weighed 4kgs when she came out) that even sitting down was very uncomfortable. My OB advised me to sit on boiled guava leaves and to wash the area frequently to promote healing. I used PH Care Cool Wind with lukewarm water, which gave me the freshness I needed.
Apart from taking care of my wounds, I was also advised to drink milk, continue my multi-vitamins intake and eat well because I need all those so I can regain my energy. My diet after giving birth are soup-based most of the time because I am breastfeeding.
Now, 5 months after postpartum, I’m already gearing myself to exercising so I can lose my pregnancy weight.
9. Erica Bonifacio
Wow when i gave birth it was so difficult because i had no yaya.. but bec of the full support of my family and friends, i managed to survived it all heheh anyway, my mom used to pakulo dahon ng bayabas for the wound to heal fast and it seemed very helpful for me and very “maginhawa”.. breastfeeding is also good bec i noticed whenver i breastfeed, there was always a contraction from the pelvic area.. and they say it helps you to become slim faster. and it really works! my ob prescribed me celeteque mosturizer ever since i got pregnant and im still using it. i make sure i take a bath and use a mild feminine wash like that of ph care 🙂 its not really stressful giving birth and having kids, it’s how you handle it and make everything just fine 🙂
10. Lariza Garcia
After giving birth, theres my ever reliable mo who is always at my side to take care and give advice as always to my well being, one thing that she always reminds me is the comfort of feeling clean, theres always the samot saring dahon that they will pick up para mas madaling gumaling ang sugat, plus the feminine wash for extra clean feeling. just imagine na di ka paliguin in 10 days at least you still feel comfort knowing your clean under there. thank you ph care
11. Katherine Sicat
This is an opportunity to review my postpartum vaginal birth experience.
As a new mom, I’ve tried to prepare for these new changes by loading up on educational materials, seminars, self-help books or informal dialogues with my girlfriends who are also moms, neighbours, my OB, my byenan, and especially my Nanay. I was really overwhelmed by the degree of discomfort after giving birth and frustrated by desire to interact with my baby while at the same time being limited by pain, discomfort, and exhaustion.
I remembered my sleeping habits after giving birth to Kia wayback February 2009. She’s always getting me up at night so it is important for me to find time to rest during the day. That means when she naps, I don’t laundry her clothes or wash dishes. And if I can’t sleep, I just lie down on the bed, close my eyes and try to relax. The doctor said that our body needs time to recharge, especially when I can’t sleep well at night.
When it comes to nutrition, eating well is one of the best ways to be able to bounce back from childbirth which also plays a very important role in breastfeeding my daughter. Nanay also said that I should eat well and drink plenty of fluids. The OB said to continue taking my prenatal vitamins for 6 weeks postpartum. They replenish iron, provide calcium and help make new red blood cells. I also didn’t forget to watch out for excessive amounts of high-sugar snacks and caffeine which causes me to feel jittery and anxious. Eating healthy is really important. If you have poor nutrition, your healing will take longer.
My lola teach me muscle strengthening exercises. I’ve tried to get out and walk slowly. The fresh air feels wonderful and exercise keeps me in shape and feeling good, while reducing weight which also reduces the risk of constipation.
I’ve noticed after 3 days of my delivery, my breasts became swollen, tender and heavy which the doctor said as engorgement of the breasts. My mother told me to breastfeed my child. She applied a warm compress before I breastfed which helps the milk to let down quickly. Breastfeeding my baby often and using both breasts at each feeding is one way to help me reduced this discomfort.
I was given instructions on how to hygienically care for my perineal area. Since my perineum tore during delivery, I also have stitches. The incision adds extra soreness and discomfort when I’m walking, sitting and going to the bathroom. What I did was this sitz bath – a small basin that fits on top of the toilet through which warm water flows, three times a day in a sitting position to ease my vaginal soreness. Daily cleansing (pH Care Feminine Wash) also hasten healing and washing hands afterwards. Sanitary pads must be changed often and the area must be cleaned, wiping (pH Care Feminine Wipes) from front to back to help prevent infection. Avoid using tampons for six weeks after delivery, since tampon can cause infection that could potentially spread to the uterus.
I’m very particular about hygiene. I have been a user of a number of feminine washes when I was in my late teens. But for more than 2 years now, I become loyal to pH Care. It is mild enough and I don’t get irritations unlike with some other stronger brands. I use it at least twice a day as it leaves me feeling clean and fresh. And I love that it has a very mild scent, not with any strong smelling scent where as if you sprayed perfume. A small tip: when you have your period, you shouldn’t use strong cleaning agents or feminine washes, on the other hand, use mild, pH balanced ones (that’s what my OB told me).
I don’t have a bowel movement three days after delivery and my first bowel movement is quite painful, especially I had an episiotomy. I drink a lot of water and juice and take a stool softener to ease this pain. Based on my experience, don’t avoid bowel movements, as this can lead to constipation and hemorrhoids. A warm sitz bath eases the pain.
When others offer to help me, I let them because there is no such thing as a “super MOM” (esp. a first time mom). Isolation increases the feelings of loneliness and depression – try to stay connected with important relationships.
The very best thing you can do for your baby at this time is to take care of yourself. This is not simply a matter of indulgence or, “If I have time, I’ll do such and such for myself.” It is an absolute necessity.
12. Emiliana Sison
Though my daughter was delivered via caesarian section, I had vaginal discharge for 2 weeks! I was embarrassed about the fishy discharge odor and I was itching down below. My private parts were often tingly and I often had the complusion to scratch. My mom recommended that I use a mild feminine wash and refrain from using tissues/napkins to ward off “lints” that was causing me discomfort.
I used lukewarm water mix with the feminine wash everytime and substituted handmade cotton-textile napkins for the commercially available ones. My condition improved 4 days after.
13. Joni Ablaza
I had vaginal tear during delivery, the wound may hurt for a few weeks — especially when I walk or sit. Extensive tears may take longer to heal. I ask my OB gyne how to help me for a fast healing.
*Soothe the wound. I used an ice pack, or wrap ice in a washcloth. Chilled witch hazel pads may help, too. Witch hazel is the main ingredient in many hemorrhoid pads. You can find witch hazel pads in most pharmacies.
*Keep the wound clean. I used a squirt bottle filled with water to rinse the tissue between the vaginal and anus after using the toilet and I apply Ph Care Intimate wash. Soak in a warm tub.
*Take the sting out of urination. I squat rather than sit to use the toilet (hehehe). I pour warm water over my vulva as I urinating.
*Prevent pain and stretching during bowel movements. I hold a clean pad firmly against the wound and press upward while I bear down. This will help me relieve pressure on the wound.
*Sit down carefully. To keep your bottom from stretching, I squeeze my buttocks together as I sit down. If sitting is uncomfortable, I used a doughnut-shaped pillow to ease the pressure.
*Do your Kegels. My mother told me these exercises to help me tone the pelvic floor muscles. Simply tighten your pelvic muscles as if you’re stopping your stream of urine. Starting about a day after delivery, try it for five seconds at a time, four or five times in a row. And repeat throughout the day.
Mommy Lace is a blogger from the Philippines. She started this blog to share information on pregnancy, breastfeeding, childcare, family, and health.
