If you just had a baby, there is a good chance your lady parts feel like deflated balloon. Here are a few ways to ease postpartum discomfort so you can enjoy those first few weeks with your little one and spend less time worrying about downstairs.
Fridet the Momwasher
Most health care providers will hook you up with a peri bottle that you use when urinating to cut the sting. It feels great but the angle is a bit difficult to manage. The Fridet is angled perfectly to spraying yourself much easier and it’s bigger than the bottles usually provided.
Perineal Cold Pack
These are pretty much like an ice pack for your vuvla. I know this only sounds good if you’ve just had a baby, but they are quite heavenly, especially when combined with one of the other cooling products below. You pop them like a glow stick and the adhesive sticks to your panties. The cold lasts about an hour. You can also make your own padsicles.
Earth Mama Angel Baby Bottom Balm and Bottom Spray
Both of these products feel like heaven. They are made from organic ingredients, provide a wonderful cooling sensation and smell great! The Bottom Spray bottle conveniently work upside down and the Bottom Balm lasts forever because a little bit goes a long way. I usually get these two for the birthing person, as a baby shower gift. This sitz bath spray is a very similar and equally awesome product.
Dermaplast
If you need some powerful cooling/numbing relief, Dermaplast delivers.Get the blue cap, not the red. Some health care providers will even send you home with some. Most women refer to this as their “lifesaver!” Spray directly on your bottom and let out a sigh of sweet relief.
Cloth pads
Wearing disposable pads or even Depends can get pretty uncomfortable after a few days. They trap in moist and create a slight swamp effect and start to chaf after a week or so. Cloth pads or Thinx panties are much softer, can be used later when Aunt Flo returns and better on the environment than disposable options.
Ibuprofen
Of course, talk to your health care provider about this one, but many providers recommend ibuprofen (or something stronger) during the first several days postpartum to help with afterpains (cramps from your uterus shrinking back down) and a sore/swollen bottom.
Arnica
Arnica Montana is a homeopathic remedy often used to reduce inflammation and ease sore muscles. It helps relieve that my-whole-body-feels-like-it-got-hit-by-a-bus feeling.
Witch Hazel
You can get witch hazel pads or get a bottle of the liquid to spray or dab on. It’s an astringent that helps reduce swelling and eases pains, so it’s great for episiotomy recovery, varicose veins, hemorrhoids and keeping the area clean. There are tons of products that contain witch hazel but Tucks pads are most common.
Sitz Bath
A sitz bath is a little bowl you put in your toilet so you can soak your bottom. Hot water works, or try an herbal blend or fizzy postpartum bomb. Lock the door and take a few moments to relax!
Enjoy these postpartum recovery favorites!
Written by our doula Ashley
