My Story
My name is Rachel Collins. I have 2 kids and have lived in Dublin all my life. When I became pregnant with my first child, I was so excited…. then terrified, and then excited again. This cycle of emotions continued every 5-10mins throughout my pregnancy. To calm my nerves, I would delve in to research about birth. The different outcomes, birthing positions, what to do, the questions to ask the midwives and doctors. I did an anti-natal course and followed GentleBirth on Meta platforms. I was so prepared for the birth that I completely forgot to think about my recovery.
I am sad to admit that, in my naivety, I honestly thought that I would be up the next day, with an extra heavy period. I thought breastfeeding would be easy……sure we have been doing it for tens of thousands of years. I knew how to look after a baby, there was nothing to worry about.
I was wrong!
My darling baby arrived abruptly the Friday night before Christmas. The midwife was amazing! She was really supportive, and I felt really looked after! (if you can access the care of the Community Domino midwives, I highly recommend it, I personally think all midwives should be trained the way they are). I had no complications, so I was sent home after 12hours. I managed to stuff a couple of maternity pads in my bag when I was leaving. I had assumed, like a lot of people that the essential recovery items would be supplied to me, especially with it being my first child.
They were not!
To be fair I was doing okay until the baby blues hit. The surge of relaxin, endorphins and oxytocin dropped off a cliff. It was too painful to breastfeed and my body felt completely broken and not my own and I had nothing at home to help my feel in anyway human. My partner was great and supportive but also completely clueless. The midwives were visiting me at home which was our saving grace. They were able to tell my partner exactly what he needed to get but it was also Christmas day so he had to go driving around Dublin looking for anywhere that was open. Thankfully family came to rescue with at least some of the things we needed till we could get to a large pharmacy when they opened on the 27th.
This experience has stayed with me. It has made me so aware of what mothers go through after birth, even though what I experienced is pretty tame compared what others have gone through.
When I became pregnant with my second, I was obviously more prepared. I started stocking up on the items I felt I had needed the first time around, but found that it was quite difficult to find some items. After my 2nd child was born, I stayed home, I only got up for visitors, but I was also much calmer because I had, for the most part, everything I needed to feel better.
This essentially had been the first Basic ReBirth Box. I decided to set this up as a business. I wanted to give new mothers a place to buy everything they needed to recover in one space. In my research, I found that 88% of respondents would have loved to have this exact product when they got home. The ReBirth box makes a great gift for new mothers too.
FAQ's
What is a ReBirth Box?
A Rebirth Box is a box of products curated to promote the recovery of a new mom after giving birth, having a c-section and helping her in the first stages of breastfeeding.
When will my ReBirth Box arrive?
You're rebirth box will arrive within 5 working days of ordering. if we anticipate any delays, we will notify you by email as soon as possible
Can I cancel my order?
Yes
You can cancel your order anytime before it
is sent out for delivery. You must cancel your order in writing by email to Rachel@rebirthbox.ie. Please quote your
order number in the subject line.
What is the return policy?
Rebirth boxes can be returned for a refund
within 14days of receiving it, once the packaging inside the box has not been
opened as the products within these boxes are hygiene products. This does not
contravene your consumer rights. For more information see below
https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/consumer/shopping/shopping-online/
I want to return my rebirth box, will I be reimbursed for postage costs?
No – Postage costs are the your responsibility and
are separate to the value of the product as it is a separate service.
https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/consumer/shopping/shopping-online/
I’m not going to breastfeed, why do I need nipple cream?
A good lanolin cream does not
have to be used just as a nipple cream for healing sore and cracked nipples. It
can also used as a lip balm for calm chapped lips and it is also an excellent
protective bum cream for baby.
What is a Peri Bottle?
A Peri-Bottle is a small plastic or silicon bottle
with long “v” shape nozzle. This bottle is held upside down and used to spray
water at the vaginal area, to clean after going to the toilet instead of
wiping. Pat dry when done. This is to keep your stitches (if any) clean and dry
to prevent infection.
Why do I need a belly band?
The belly band is included in the box, to
help support the weight of your belly, and in turn to protect your back, in the
last few weeks before birth.
After birth, the belly band can help to
support your core muscles, help ease pain and swelling (especially after a
C-Section), improve posture and can aid in diastasis recti recovery by
providing gentle compression as the uterus shrinks and muscles realign.
Belly bands must not be worn
too tight. It is not a corset or waist trainer. It is not to be worn as a
crutch, as core muscles can only be built up with exercise. Always
consult with your doctor and/or physio about when and how much exercise you can
do after giving birth.
What are Epsom salts used for?
Epsom salts give anti-inflammatory relief
and eases muscle tension, which helps to soothe perineal pain, reduce swelling,
and promote healing from tears or episiotomies.
Add them to a warm, clean bath and soak for
20 minutes. Pat dry. If you have persistent pain, contact your doctor.
What are silver cups?
“Silver Cups” or “Silver nipple covers” or
“silver nursing cups” are amazing little things. They are little nipple covers
that you place over your nipples to help heal chapped, cracked nipples when
breast feeding. Wear them between feeds and you will notice a difference within
a few hours. They can be used preventatively or retroactively, until
breastfeeding is established.
Silver cups are recommended by midwives and
lactation consultants, anti-natal classes, maternity hospitals and mothers
across Ireland and the world.
Silver is antibacterial, antiseptic and has
anti-fungal qualities that make it perfect for helping your nipples to heal.
Silver cups are made with 925 grade silver.
I don’t want to bottlefeed, what will I do with the excess milk I’ve collected?
Excess milk is a very handy thing to have,
and there are many things that you can do with it. It can be kept in the
freezer for up to 3months. Below are some of the thing I did with my excess
milk.
a.
Freeze some in little ice pop moulds and keep
them for hot summer days when baby needed something cool
b.
Used it to make baby porridge and baby rice when
it can time to start solids (between 6-8months)
c.
Can be given to baby from a small open cup by
dad if you don’t want to use a bottle.
If you have an over-supply when
you start, check with your maternity hospital on their policies around donating
your milk to the NICU.