Postpartum period
A few questions...
Cnudje_1Guest ·
Hi!
I'm due with another daughter in August and would love to share some advice. Now I also want to start pumping. Through our mutual health insurance, they rent out a pump, but last time I rented one too and wasn't happy with it. It was a single-sided pump, and I spent 30 minutes pumping both breasts. That device was also incredibly loud, and I had to always sit somewhere with an outlet.
This time I've asked again for a double-sided pump, and they're renting that out. It's a Medela, but not a fancy model like the Freestyle or Swing Maxi, of course.
I'm wondering whether I should rent that one or buy a second-hand pump. Anyone with experience?
I'm also wondering whether I should hire postpartum help. With our first, I didn't have this, so I'm wondering if I need it now? We can get 30 hours.
What does she do then? Because I don't like having strangers in my house, and I'm afraid I'll get annoyed with her.
Especially if she has to come for several hours, I wonder what you'd ask her to do? Our oldest is going to daycare, and my husband has a 9-to-5 job, so he can already pick up some tasks, right? Or could she come, for example, on Wednesdays and stay longer so we both have time to take care of our children? Washing and cooking or something like that?
I'm due with another daughter in August and would love to share some advice. Now I also want to start pumping. Through our mutual health insurance, they rent out a pump, but last time I rented one too and wasn't happy with it. It was a single-sided pump, and I spent 30 minutes pumping both breasts. That device was also incredibly loud, and I had to always sit somewhere with an outlet.
This time I've asked again for a double-sided pump, and they're renting that out. It's a Medela, but not a fancy model like the Freestyle or Swing Maxi, of course.
I'm wondering whether I should rent that one or buy a second-hand pump. Anyone with experience?
I'm also wondering whether I should hire postpartum help. With our first, I didn't have this, so I'm wondering if I need it now? We can get 30 hours.
What does she do then? Because I don't like having strangers in my house, and I'm afraid I'll get annoyed with her.
Especially if she has to come for several hours, I wonder what you'd ask her to do? Our oldest is going to daycare, and my husband has a 9-to-5 job, so he can already pick up some tasks, right? Or could she come, for example, on Wednesdays and stay longer so we both have time to take care of our children? Washing and cooking or something like that?
Replies
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Anonymous Guest #2
I bought a Medela pump, specifically the Freestyle, and I’m really happy with it.
As for maternity care, it depends on whether you mean Belgium or the Netherlands, because there’s quite a difference between the two. -
Hartje #3
You know which ones you don't like and why. That could make your choice easier! You can also buy things cheaply on Marktplaats and then replace some parts if needed. If it doesn't suit you, you won't lose a fortune! -
Anonymous Guest #4
I really liked the postpartum care. Well, at least one of them, not the other. But luckily you can specify your preferences. The postpartum care brings you food between feedings. They clean the mother's room, the baby's room, and the bathroom daily. They do the laundry. And if you have a nice caregiver, she also takes care of the rest of the family's laundry and does some other household chores. She does the check-ups and ensures that a midwife comes when needed and that medications are provided if necessary.
I was quite overwhelmed after the birth, so I loved that someone took care of my rest and helped with things, and I could ask questions. But in the Netherlands, you can choose between minimal care (+- 3 hours per day) or full care (all day), and then they determine how many hours you're entitled to based on your situation.
I must say, with the nice caregiver, I had no issues at home, but with the less nice one, I did. But you really have to let go of a lot of things. Even my parents, who did everything, I found a bit too much at some point. But it was lovely; I really missed it when the postpartum care was no longer there.
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