Witch Hazel on Sanitary Pads for post-birth

[ButteryJam]

Hi,

I am packing my hospital bag and wondering whether I should add the witch hazel onto the sanitary pads for post-birth from now or should I take the bottle in with me? Or leave at home to put on my pads when I get home?

Also, how much do I add on to the pad?

I'm 38+5 with my first baby so have no experience of this yet, but found the following when researching ways to ease post-partum 'discomfort':

www.passionatehomemaking.com/2013/01/homemade-natural-postpartum-care-kit.html

Includes instructions on making your own solution for soothing maternity pads. I would think using neat witch hazel on potentially swollen/broken tissues and/or stitches would not be advised though.

I've just has DS1 4 days ago and have just come out of hospital take the witch hazel with you or lavender oil it was my life saver after birth.. I still use it now!
Don't use it neat though 2 drops in to warm water then I soak a piece of medical gauze in it and place on top of the maternity pad works a treat!! A little jug is also a recommended item you'll need this if you have stitches 2 drops of lavender oil in warm water to pour over your stitches when you pee dilutes the wee and really takes the edge of the sting!! I can't go to the loo without it!
Good luck x

With ds I used the witch hazel gel directly onto pads straight from birth, lovely and cooling and healed really well and quicky

Thanks ladies!

The maternity pads I have bought have Aloe Vera on them, would that suffice?

Witch Hazel gel probably sounds like a better idea for the hospital and then witch hazel into water when I come home.

Gooders79 how much gel did you apply? And where exactly did you apply it?

I wonder if its worth buying a pack of these Tucks pads? Anyone used them?

DEFINITELY, DEFINITELY, DEFINITELY!!! This is the only piece of advice that I give to any pregnant friends.

I can't stress enough just how wonderful that cooling pad is in the days after birth, especially if you've had stitches. I never diluted though, just poured some straight on the pad. Even the smell now reminds me of those first few days after baby. In a nice way though, not in an ouch way

Pudgy2011, thanks! Did you pour the witch hazel onto the pads before birth? Or did you do it when you were there in hospital?

Nope, I just left the witch hazel next to the pads and after I peed and stuff, I'd just pour it along the pad and then put it on and did that each time. No need to put the witch hazel on before the birth or anything, just keep it in your wash bag for when you need to use the bathroom.

I was lucky, I had a great OBGYN who is apparently so wonderful at stitches I didn't even notice them but I really think the witch hazel helps to keep everything soothed.

It's fantastic stuff, I'll be making sure to pack that straight away for the next one!

I just put the gel on the pad smeared around where the pad would be in contact with the stitches. Ultimately it was all a bit inflamed down there so I didn't think it was too essential to be really specific. I got quite a big tube of the gel from amazon as everywhere else they seemed to be tiny tubes!

Do not pour it on now.

Take the bottle with you and ask if you can keep it in the fridge.

My maternity unit actually dish out witch hazel pads for all new mums that they keep ready soaked in the fridge.

It really is the best feeling ever

Also, a good tip to help bruising/swelling go down more quickly generally is to get arnica tablets - Holland & Barret etc. do them.

Does it not sting if you put it undiluted directly onto the pad?

Ooh, I've never heard of this. I had my first baby 2.5 years ago and would have loved it anything soothing. Even more than that though I had a bartholins cyst removed recently and oh my god I would have done anything to soothe that area!

Is the witch hazel you use a liquid or a gel or what?!

if all else fails, try arnica + nelsons hypercal cream ... stings like a muvva for s couple seconds but heals well x

I have both the liquid [from boots] and a cream [which I got from our natural health shop] I've also got arnica tablets and gel for the bruising. I didn't get given this valuable piece of advice until a week after having DD. Oh My Word! the bliss of a cool witch hazeled pad against your sore bits. I applied neat, pads were kept in the fridge along with the witch hazel until needed, liquid applied on pad.

I also second the small jug or water bottle. Once I was home, I peed in the shower, was much comfier.

I'm 38+6 and all prepared. I've decanted a small bit of witch hazel into a travel sized bottle that's in my wash kit.

NoTeaForMe I have a bottle of distilled witch hazel. When I had my first (20 years ago) my midwife recommended putting a few drops in the bath afterwards and soaking in it. This is the first I've heard about putting it neat directly onto pads though. Might give it a go if I can overcome my terror of it stinging.

I ended up ordering the tuck pads for hospital and will use the liquid witch hazel when I get home.

Thanks all btw :)

Where do I buy the witch hazel? Can someone send of picture of what the bottle looks like?