By Frida Mom
The Ultimate Birth and Recovery Gear Showdown
When it comes to registry, it's all about the baby stuff (and there's a lot of it). But what about mom? You're the one bringing a new human into the world, so you deserve products that take care of your recovery too.
After you give birth, the nurses will provide you with some postpartum perineal care but products can vary from hospital to hospital. And while it’s tempting to make do with what the hospital gives you, it's not the time to rely on unreliable hospital mesh undies, messy peri bottles, and scratchy gowns. See, quality matters and has a big impact on your recovery.
Here's why you need to pass on the hospital freebies and get the delivery and postpartum gear you truly need. You won't want to head to the hospital without these goods.
Delivery and Postpartum Gown: Frida Mom Delivery and Nursing Gown vs Freebie
If you’re like most women who get to plan for a short hospital stay to have a baby, you have choices. So what’s it going to be? A starchy, scratchy cotton gown with a very open-concept design? Or, a full-coverage gown with snaps down the back and a fold-down front for easy access for nursing and skin-to-skin in super soft, stretchy jersey material? There’s really no question. Pack our Delivery and Nursing Gown in your hospital bag and feel a little more like yourself through the whole ordeal or at least do it for that first family photo.
Postpartum Undies: Frida Mom Postpartum Underwear vs Freebie
While the mesh hospital panties have their fans, we think you deserve better. You deserve more comfort, support, and coverage - that’s not a fishnet fail. Our Disposable Postpartum Underwear comes in two cuts: full-coverage boy short for vaginal recovery and high-waist brief for C-section recovery. They’re made of soft and stretchy microfiber and spandex to keep all the recovery layers in place. The best part: they’re disposable, so you don’t have to worry about washing out the mess.
Peri Bottle: Frida Mom Upside-Down Peri Bottle vs Freebie
No matter how you deliver, the nurses will instruct you to use a peri bottle to cleanse after using the bathroom. The hospital will provide a squirt bottle that is technically functional, yes, but not at all efficient. The Upside Down Peri Bottle has an angled neck, so you don’t need to put your entire hand in the toilet to get the job done. The ergonomic design makes it easy to just aim and squeeze and provides a continuous, gentle stream of water. Not having to stick your hand all the way under yourself means no bending over, and no water mess falling back down on your hands. Clear winner, here.
Padsicles: Frida Mom Instant Ice Maxi Pads vs Freebie
When your nurse places a Macguyver’d icicle pad into your postpartum underwear, you'll be so relieved with that coolness. It’s relief you’ll want to recreate at home, but you have a newborn now and not a whole lot of free time to make your own padsicles and wait for them to freeze. Skip the DIY pad assembly line and stock up on Instant Ice Maxi Pads instead. These full-coverage pads provide 20-minutes of cold therapy from vag to tush, and all you have to do is crack and stick one in your underwear. Plus, they’re absorbent and super soft, so you don’t have to sacrifice your comfort when wearing one.
Witch Hazel Pads: Frida Mom Witch Hazel Perineal Cooling Pad Liners vs Freebie
When you’re digging around in that little drawer in your hospital room, you’ll probably find a tub of medicated discs. These are meant to be layered on top of your maxi pad to provide relief for the perineal area and hemorrhoids. But those little circles are, little. You need close to seven of them to fully line your pad. And then there’s the whole matter of shifting and bunching and wondering how many of them got stuck up there. Pass on the round witch hazel pads and opt for a full-length Witch Hazel Perineal Cooling Pad Liner instead. This liner fits most maternity maxi pads to make it a one-and-go situation. It’s made with medicated Witch Hazel to provide cooling relief and promote healing.
Healing Spray: Frida Mom Witch Hazel Perineal Healing Foam vs Freebie
For pain relief and healing, Witch Hazel is definitely the way to go — no harsh chemicals, dyes, or fragrances, just all-natural healing support. But when it comes to Witch Hazel sprays, they end up being absorbed straight into the pad, not where you need it most. Go with our Witch Hazel Perineal Healing Foam instead. Pump it directly on top of your maxi pad, and let it work its magic. Pro-tip: When you get home, keep the bottle of foam and the liners in the fridge for extra cooling.
