Post-natal healing - any suggestions?

[Bozza]

When I had DS I was very sore, bruised and swollen afterwards as well as having stitches. It took quite some time before I could sit down comfortably. At the time I was recommended by the midwives to have baths with lavender oil to help the healing process. For the first couple of weeks I had quick baths twice a day with a few drops of lavender oil added.

However I wonder if this is the best/only thing. I've read things where people mention arnica, teatree oil, witch hazel etc. Also wonder about whether to take this in tablet form or stick to the oil in the bath route. Anyone got any advice.

right it dont sound nice but it works i had stiches was told by mother and mil and of th record midwife a salt bath normal salt (cooking stuff found in food cupboard) just a hand full in a bath of warm water it will help the stiches heal quicker stop any infection and after the shock take away the pain tried and tested and if i have another baby with stiches will definately be doing it again good luck

When I was in New Zealand people swore by arnica tablets post surgery, they used it all the time for postoperative bruising. From the evidence that I saw I found it very convincing. Can't speak about post-natally though - haven't got there yet!!

witchhazel applied onto a thick wad of ctton wool and held to the area is wonderuflly soothing
I have only ever had grazes but it was just fab, I used it when I needed to wee to save the sting

Good luck!

I agree with arnica tablets and tea tree oil in your bath water. Also put some tea tree oil in a jug of water which you can then pour over your bits when having those first wees post delivery to minimise the stinging!

i used arnica 30c after the birth and used salt baths. And my midwife recommended drying my stitches afterwards with a hairdrier on a cool setting! Very strange sensation but helps dry them!

I went through the same thing , but ended up with an infection and instead of lavender oil - dettol anti bacterial solution - ouch ouch!! and I smelt sooo lovely after !!!

I'm not totally sure about the different properties of the tings that you mentioned, I had took arnica tablets, but there have been studies that say it does nothing, but someone on MN mentioned once that that study was flawed so planning to use it next time.

Lavender oil I think is just a relaxer, tea tree oil an antiseptic - I think I will try this in place of the dettol next time!

No idea about witch hazel

Hopefully though you won't suffer from this again, are at least to a lesser extent

I took salt baths too - and don't forget always dry 'down there' with a hairdryer - even after the loo! The stitches need to be kept dry if they are to heal properly.

lavender is also an anti septic.

Doesn't salt sting though? DH suffers recurrent mouth ulcers and uses salt washes for this on dentist's recommendation.

Thanks everyone btw. If I use arnica which tablets should I get?

Also saw these gel pads in Mothercare but they were £10 so I think kiwibird's suggestion would be a bit cheaper.

Salt in bathwater has been shown not to be effective so most units do not recommend it anymore. It does no harm though so use it if it makws you feel happier. Just keeping the area clean by bathing a couple of times a day is enough.
Arnica in tablet form is often used and it is taken throughout labour as well as post delivery. Is there a complmentary therpist close to you who could advise?

It shouldn't be so bad this time around though.

Arnica is great for bruising but for tears and stiches then Hypericum in tablet and tincture form is great (also highly recommended for post c-section). If you can get to a herbalist then ask them to make a douche mix for you, or the Active Birth Centre sells something which has been recommended by a friend postnatal herbs . Make sure that if you get Arnica or any other post-natal remedies you get them in 200c potency

I used some stuff from Green Baby : the perineal gel listed on this page . That along with regular washing (our place had a bidet, luckily, but the first baby I used a squirt bottle) helped immensely.

I ripped a lot and had many cuts -- luckily no infections or other worries! Probably more dumb luck than anything, but hope that helps.

Where do you get Arnica in a potency of 200c? I asked in my local health food shop and the lady looked at me as if I had two heads, she'd never heard of it that strength.

Also how often should you be taking it during labour and after labour?

After I had my DS, I had to have stitches too and was most uncomfortable. I found that Sea Salt was absolutely wonderful. Salt has natural healing powers anyway, it soothed immensely and made me feel better!

Calendula also brilliant. In fact, hypericum and calendula are often combined to make Hypercal (brilliant for kids' cuts and grazes) which you can get in ointment or cream - imo best is calendula tincture in bath, but may not be easy to get hold of.

I've had 2 c-sections and was advised to add salt to my bath to help the stiches heal and prevent an infection.
Well I got infections both times so IMO, it didn't work!

I found that a few drops of teatree oil in my bath helped the bruising/tenderness I experienced after birth. However, I haven't had any tears so couldn't advise on that - might be different....