Top 5 things to buy for postpartum while you’re pregnant (#4 is a MUST)
If you are having a baby soon, you have likely stocked your nursery with cute decor, a crib, and some diapers. And with social media blowing up, you may have even purchased items for a nursing cart if you plan to breastfeed. But what else should you be looking for now that you will want postpartum? Here is our list of the Top 5 things you should be looking to purchase now so you have them when you need them postpartum! Your body will surely thank you later!
A birth ball/exercise ball. Yes, of course it can be helpful during birth, especially during early labor at home as a comfort measure. You can use it for various positions, helping open up the pelvis during labor or even preparing for labor weeks in advance. But you can also use it for postpartum! One of my favorite uses is to bring the ball into the nursery and bounce my baby instead of rocking or bouncing while standing. Both of my babies wanted to be bounced, not rocked or swayed, so I found my back and knees getting sore as I bounced them for hours each day. Once I brought the ball into play, it was a game changer for me! It still used my legs but didn’t hurt my back at all. My husband also used it and I think it helped him really find a good rhythm for bouncing the babies. I don’t have a specific brand recommendation, just make sure you order the right size. If you are going to use the ball for birth preparation, then I recommend getting a ball that allows your hips to be above your knees when fully inflated. This helps open up the space in your abdomen for your baby to drop down into the pelvis.
A TENS unit. TENS can be used as a comfort measure during labor when placed on the low back. It can also be used postpartum for muscle aches and pains. But did you know TENS has another use altogether? The TENS unit is used, but the term is transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) and is used specifically on the inner shins/ankles to stimulate the tibial nerve. This can help with what is called neuromodulation, and can help reduce urinary leaking (incontinence), decrease overactive bladder syndrome, or help calm down a revved up nervous system that may be presenting with bladder symptoms. These conditions are common in postpartum women, so it may be a good idea to have one on hand! A pelvic floor physical therapist can help determine the appropriate settings to use. Not all TENS units are created equal. Many are pre-set for specific areas of the body, which do not allow the units to do TTNS. If you are wanting the dual function, try this unit that I use with my patients.
A supportive baby carrier. Baby wearing is one of my favorite activities with younger babies and it saved my life in terms of naps and getting things done! A wrap is nice to have with newborns, but I prefer a more supportive carrier once my babies are a little older. My favorite carrier is the Ergobaby embrace. The straps cross in the back, making it comfortable. It is easy to put it on, get the baby in and out, and take it off by yourself. No hard-to-reach buckles in the back! And, it is super soft, making it comfy for both you and your baby. Win-win :) If you are dealing with any prolapse symptoms such as heaviness or pelvic pressure, a ring sling like this one might be a great option for you!
A squatty potty or any type of stool to elevate your knees above your hips while having a bowel movement. The simple squatty is very inexpensive and stores easily under the toilet, so you just have to slide it in and out, never worrying about it being in the way. Postpartum constipation is very common, and having a squatty potty ready to go is a must! The reason the squatty potty is effective is because there is a sling muscle in your pelvic floor that goes around the rectum called the puborectalis. This muscle helps us keep our poop in when we want it in because it pulls the rectum into a bend, about a 90 degree angle. This is great when walking around, but if this muscle stays tight when we are on the toilet, then it makes it hard for us to get the poop out. Here’s where the squatty potty comes in. When we elevate the knees higher than the hips, the puborectalis muscle relaxes and allows the rectum to point straight down, giving the poop an easy exit! Buy yours now!
A sleep mask. During postpartum, you never know what time of day you might get the chance to take a little nap. Unless you have invested in black out shades, your room might be pretty bright in the middle of the day. You might find yourself able to sleep just about anywhere when you are really tired, but these help block out the extra light and signal to your body it is time to sleep. You can find these cheap on amazon and they are very comfy! I like the way these are contoured to the eyes for comfort and they do not feel puffy. Sleep masks can also come in handy later on when you move your baby into their own room and you might have a monitor sitting next to your bed with a light that can’t be turned off or when that summer sun starts creeping in your window way earlier than you want to wake up!
It’s not just the nursery you want to be thinking about, it is your whole life after having the baby. We seem to get caught up in the preparation for the baby’s stuff, but in reality, the baby doesn’t need much! As recovering mamas, we need a lot more and can benefit from some of these items that help us take care of our babies as we recover.
Remember, labor and birth are just a short blip in the grand scheme of things. Postpartum is the rest of your life! Truly. Prioritize your recovery and think about what other items you might want in addition to those cute shelves from Ikea ;)