Rubber rings for after the birth- how necessary?

[Thandeka]

Have been hearing from a few people how they needed a rubber ring to sit on for a few weeks after birth, but struggled to find them. Was thinking perhaps better buy one but the medical ones (ie for piles) seem expensive £20 on eBay. Would a kids rubber ring do or would a fat adult arse pop it? Did anyone else use one?

i had a valley cushion that I hired from the nct after I had ds1, as I found it really quite painful to sit down- but I'd had a long labour followed by a ventouse delivery and had a 2nd degree tear. i was very bruised and unhappy down there!!!

didn't have one with ds2 or ds3 and didn't really miss it tbh, as didn't have such a traumatic time getting them out.

a child's rubber ring would be fine tohugh i'd have thought

A pillow worked for me..

NO! DON'T DO IT!

sitting on a ring makes the bit in the hole in the middle - the sore, swollen bits - even more sore and swollen. The blood pools and it gets all oedematous and will delay healing and it will be very sore and even more swollen than before.

If you are sore sitting, then that's the body giving you a hint to change position often. lie on your side, stand, change sides, sit etc.

I had a childs one for when I had dd. It was a God send. I found sitting very uncomfortable and will be getting it out ready for dc2 next month!

Having said that, what Gloria says makes sense. Maybe I will only use it for a few days this time instead of weeks!

My midwife told me NOT to sit on a ring for all the reasons Gloria mentioned.

Thisisyesterday mentions the Valley Cushion that you can rent through your local NCT (I don't think you have to be a member). It is designed to allow blood flow to and from the area (vital for healing and to prevent swelling), and you hire it, so it won't be sculling round at the back of a cupboard for years afterwards. Plus you might well not need one anyway, so hiring one if you do need it might save you some money.

I had a third degree tear and got on fine without one. I did find that sitting on my birthing ball (actually just a huge exercise ball) was very comfortable until I had healed fully. Otherwise I'd sometimes sit on a cushion.

no, you don't have to be an NCT member to hire things from them.

what GLoria says does make sense!
tbh changing positions and stuff didn't help for me at all, i couldn't sit down full stop it was way too painful. I stood to eat dinner in hospital, and lay down the rest of the time!

physiotherapist at the hospital suggested rolling up two towels to put on the seat before you sit down to take the pressure off your bits (obviously only works on a hard surface!)

I had a 59p kids rubber ring from Tescos. Worked brilliantly with a thin cushion (dining room chair pad) over the top.

Just sit on a sift cushion - you'll be fine - and I say this after an extended third degree tear and all kind of other damage...

And if it still hurts, lie down instead...

db
xx

i had this for my first, but only for use in the (salted) bath - strangely

I never used one with DD. I had a 3rd degree tear and epis after a 27 hours with forceps and vontouse.

Yeah I was sore but found sitting ok.

Just following on from SlartyBartFast's post. I soaked everynight in a bath with a few drops of tea tree oil in it. Great for healing.. really helped me. Plus an hours me time is great!!