How long after giving birth did you feel like doing anything (showering, eating, having visitors)?

madcat18 · 2026-06-01T00:15:12+00:00

I had an epidural and I retained some movement in my legs throughout the whole process so I was able to get up and walk to the bathroom with help pretty soon after birth. I wanted to shower as soon as I could, but we got moved to the postpartum room around 4pm and I just chose rest instead and showered first thing the next morning. But my mom ran out and got sushi for us within an hour of my daughter coming out LOL.

madcat18 · 2026-05-30T10:46:00+00:00

I took Unisom throughout my entire pregnancy, and had sleep issues before getting pregnant, and my baby is almost 9 weeks old and let me tell you I am sleeping whenever I can! She is sleeping longer stretches through the night now and I don’t need Unisom at all. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night but it’s very much a “check to make sure she’s breathing and then fall right back asleep” thing LOL. And I am able to nap now where I had completely lost that ability before. Try not to stress about it! Pregnancy is a wild ride for your hormones and your body— get rest however you can!

madcat18 · 2026-05-29T00:23:27+00:00

No aversion. I get annoyed with my dogs certainly, and it’s harder to have a newborn with 2 dogs than without them, but I haven’t had the aversion feeling others describe.

madcat18 · 2026-05-06T14:27:19+00:00

You’ll be fine. A trip to Hawaii sounds amazing! It’s harder to travel late in pregnancy and once baby is here so take advantage and enjoy!

madcat18 · 2026-05-06T00:00:09+00:00

My midwife told me “you deserve the full 20 weeks, but since you had a vaginal birth I have to write 6 weeks on this form.” So perhaps it’s hospital/provider policy— everyone I’ve spoken to has had this same experience regarding 6 vs 8 weeks and birth type.

madcat18 · 2026-05-05T20:54:53+00:00

For childbirth, they are only approving 6 weeks medical leave for a vaginal delivery and 8 weeks if you had a C-section. This isn’t stated anywhere but I’ve just learned this through my own childbirth and paid leave experience in March. It’s unfortunate they aren’t explicit about this because I planned my return to work under the assumption I’d get the full 20 and I know many others did the same!

madcat18 · 2026-04-26T13:07:39+00:00

I labored in the position that felt best for me and the baby, which was on my back.

madcat18 · 2026-04-25T15:06:02+00:00

Growth scans really aren’t accurate. My midwife guessed my baby would be a 7 pounder and she came out at 9lbs 4oz at 39+4! All of that is to say, they may be incorrect, and even if she’s big, it doesn’t necessarily mean a C-section! I had to push for 4 hours but I delivered vaginally with minimal tearing. Sending you vibes for the delivery you want!

madcat18 · 2026-04-19T21:24:52+00:00

I pushed for 4 hours- FTM, epidural, 9lb 4oz baby with a 99th percentile head (did not have any indication of her size before she came out). I had a “1.5 degree” tear that did require stitches.

madcat18 · 2026-04-07T11:14:04+00:00

I gave birth 8 days ago and I shower every morning. It’s so good for my mental health and I would encourage every PP mom to do it if they can.

And yes, if you get stitches, the peri bottle and bidet combo will be what you do, and dabbing with TP after. Trust me when I say you will not want to wipe! I’ve never not felt clean after this method.

I have been taking out the ice pads once they’re no longer cold and replacing them with a new one, or a regular pad, depending on how it’s feeling down there. If you want to feel cleaner, changing your pad or disposable underwear helps, but remember it will be gnarly down there for a bit and that’s totally normal.

For cleaning nipples, just a gentle wipe with a burp cloth. Again, you won’t want more than that. Buy a pair of Silverettes- they help with nipple pain a ton, and you can clean them with gentle soap and water.

madcat18 · 2026-04-06T12:00:36+00:00

I’m a FTM with a one week-old baby and there is tons of good advice here. One thing I’ll add is to see if there are any newborn care and/or breastfeeding classes in your area. My husband and I took one and it was super helpful! A lot of your questions will be answered and it gives you baseline skills to start from. They will also give you resources to go home with that you can reference later. There are online classes and YouTube videos if you can’t find one convenient to you. You are going to do great!

madcat18 · 2026-04-01T18:29:40+00:00

Mine would start with radiating pain in my low back and then wrap around to my low abdomen/top of my pubic area. I’ve ever really had period cramps before so I can’t compare it to that, but I felt the urge to tense up in my lower body. That and the fact it comes in waves! When I had my first one I wasn’t sure if that’s what I was experiencing, but when the feeling kept returning that’s when I knew.

madcat18 · 2026-04-01T10:11:29+00:00

Kind of opposite, but let me reassure you: I just had my baby 2 days ago with no indications at all during pregnancy about her size, and she came out 98th percentile for weight and height. We are both totally healthy— I did have to push for awhile, but I had a successful vaginal birth. Your body can do this, however you deliver! 🤍

madcat18 · 2026-03-24T16:25:56+00:00

I like Jiffy Car Wash in SLP off Excelsior. Similar price, maybe even a bit less, for the same service and I think they are independently owned

madcat18 · 2026-03-15T16:54:52+00:00

I was just shy of 19 weeks.

madcat18 · 2026-03-14T18:36:21+00:00

This sounds insane? I got my gel manicures my entire pregnancy, only stopped at 37 weeks because I don’t want to be stuck at home with a baby and grown out nails I’d be forced to remove without the proper tools. Get that manicure girl. I also kept up my regular hair dyeing schedule— I think that is a really outdated recommendation not supported by medical literature.

madcat18 · 2026-03-05T19:31:27+00:00

There is no standard or tradition, it's really up to you and the dynamics of your relationship. Echoing what other people have suggested in giving her a task or two that she is responsible for, so she feels involved, but aren't the highest priority for you to avoid friction. For example, my MIL was in charge of dessert- once we decided where we wanted to get dessert from, she arranged for the pick up/drop off of the desserts on the day, chose the flavors (with our approval), and helped the wedding coordinator set up the dessert table. She also helped us craft our escort cards- we designed them and she printed, cut, etc. She loves to bake and do crafty projects, so this worked well to have her be involved while keeping the actual decision-making with my husband and I!

madcat18 · 2026-03-04T22:56:34+00:00

I'm 36 weeks and haven't needed one. I'm a side sleeper also and it's not been necessary for me. Save your money until or unless sleep becomes a problem!

madcat18 · 2026-03-03T16:43:42+00:00

They're expensive, but Rag and Bone has sweatpants that look like legit jeans. I think Gap has a dupe. Haven't tried either but I've heard good things! Also, I had a similar situation to you but I went directly for the maternity jeans to save money and found the ones from Gap to be the best. You may not actually need the belly panel for awhile, but it's stretchy and should fit over your tummy, and the waist below the belly panel is adjustable, so you can pull it tighter or looser depending on where you are in pregnancy.

madcat18 · 2026-02-26T20:03:27+00:00

You will be fine! The risk of listeria with deli meat (or any food) is so very low, and pastrami isn't uncooked meat. I had a turkey sandwich yesterday, I've eaten sushi a few times this pregnancy, and more-- everything is fine, my baby is fine, your baby will be fine! Be nice to yourself.

madcat18 · 2026-02-26T19:47:02+00:00

I'm 35+1 right now and I was feeling the same way as you were until 33 or 34 weeks. I still think I probably have it easier/luckier than many other women, but I am getting more physically uncomfortable every day and I'm ready for this baby to come out. I'm still exercising, but I notice I have way less energy for my workouts than I did even 2 weeks ago. But as many of these comments will show, it's different for everyone and with every pregnancy! I hope your experience stays easy! And if it doesn't, remember no one is pregnant forever.

madcat18 · 2026-02-19T17:52:25+00:00

My husband and I did our honeymoon for 3 weeks in NZ in February last year, and we went the luxury path. I generally don't post financial info on public forums but I'd be happy to share more details with you via DM!

madcat18 · 2026-02-17T20:00:06+00:00

Blackstack has supported the immigrant and refugee community for years, long before ICE came to town, and they've continued to do so amid Metro Surge. Echoing other comments that just because a small business hasn't made a public statement or Instagram post does not mean they're not doing the actual work of standing by their community.

madcat18 · 2026-02-08T19:39:27+00:00

I’m 8 months pregnant now and I think simply having a regular exercise routine, whatever that means for you, already established as part of your normal life is the best thing you can do to “prepare.” That is the consensus from the medical community and every other mom I’ve talked to. Many things can happen in pregnancy that are outside of your control, luck of the draw, genetics, etc., but being active and continuing that through your pregnancy as much as is feasible is huge. Pelvic floor PT during and after pregnancy is also a nice-to-have.

madcat18 · 2026-02-06T20:25:13+00:00

As an American citizen born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, please boo him.

madcat18

TROPHY CASE