tips for looking after v swollen undercarriage?

[jaggythistle]

having been inspected by the midwife today, I'm not a big wuss like i thought as apparently I'm 'massively swollen' yay!

had DS2 yesterday, labour was fine but had to get episiotomy/forceps at end due to concerns about DS heart rate etc.

she is arranging painkillers for me but wouldn't mind any tips for looking after the area and reducing swelling.

thanks in advance

cheers.

Frozen peas! Ice packs are an odd shape but frozen peas can bend to fit in your crotch (birth is such a beautiful time! ha!)

Valley Cushions make if more comfortable to sit down and are available to hire from a lot of NCT branches

Yes, peas all the way . Or you can put a large sanitary towel in the fridge or freezer (but don't freeze it solid!)

I used a rubber glove filled with ice cubes and tied. Wrapped it in a towel and strategically placed it on my undercarriage which, might i add, looked like I was smuggling a cricket ball.

It got better relatively quickly. Also, sit on a piles cushion - you can pick them up in Boots.

Ah, the glamour of childbirth!

My midwife and physio told me to fill a condom with cold water and either use that or freeze it for it to be colder!

You can also buy gel packs shaped for this purpose!

On the advice of the lovely midwife, I also bathed the 'area' and my episiotomy with DILUTE lavender oil. Mix the oil with a tiny amount of milk before putting in the water and it emulsifies rather than just sitting on top of the water.

I loved my midwife.

Feme Pads !!!!

They are gel pads you put in the freezer designed specifically for post child birth. Amazon and Boots do them I used one with dd1 (I had and internal graze too) and it was well worth the money.

Whatever you use - peas, condom-ice-pack etc - remember to wrap it in something first and don't put the frozen item directly against you. Otherwise it will stick.

YY to mcfee, sticking is the last thing you need. . !

thanks all.

the hospital midwife did actually mention ice for it, i was still a bit excited at the time to take this in. duh.

will get something cold on there asap and be careful of stickage!

yes it's just so glamorous eh! think i would still rather have this than emcs last time, i felt like crap. feel fairly human today apart from a bit tired and undercarriage issues. :)

Arnica! you can get pills or a cream. And cold things.

Ooh I wish I had seen this thread 8 weeks ago.

I did use lavender oil, but the milk tip is genius!

Is it sore? Mine was and I used vagisil, which gave great relief.