Post birth care for lady bits!

[Catarinah]

Hi all, so im 29 + weeks now and starting to think about caring for below pre/post birth. Any tips? I've heard a lot about the expert midwife range but they're pretty expensive.

Didn’t realise I needed any special care I just had baths and otherwise left that area well alone for a while!

Dissolve tea tree oil in some whole milk (just a tiny bit of milk, good few drops of tea tree oil) and chuck in the bath.

I used spritz for bits but stopped bothering as nothing is better than the above! Healed and soothed me beautifully both times.

This is post-birth BTW. Nothing needed pre birth I don't think, unless your midwife suggests anthing.

Be prepared - the 6 weeks to heal thing is absolute bullshit most of the time, it depends how much you're injured. First time for me took several months. Just take it easy.

Just googled expert midwife, I’d never even heard of it! I really would not waste money on anything like that - I had an episiotomy and still didn’t use anything like that. Soak in the bath (no products) paracetamol for any aching and if things get very uncomfortable pop a maternity pad in the freezer (never needed to do that but apparently it really helps!).

I have heard that witchazel on a sanitary pad in the fridge for a while before use is v soothing if needed. Also pouring water over your bits when you need to wee. Hopefully none of this will be necessary for you

Nineteen pounds fucking fifty!
Fair fucks to them if they can persuade people to part with the cash for a label that says "developed by midwives" on it. A few drops of plain tea tree oil in the bath is much cheaper. Tap water is cheaper still.

Make sure you stretch your perjury beforehand

Also pouring water over your bits when you need to wee.

Drink lots of water and avoid orange juice! I only found it hurt when I didn’t have enough to drink - easily done when you’re busy with a new baby.

I never used anything except plain water both times - surely anything else gets 'washed away' with bleeding?!

I second @Samsamsuperman - those baths were bliss!

I had a second degree tear after the birth and was told to only pat dry and clean with the shower head. Also no creams, washes or baths as it could cause infections. Just from that it healed really quickly minimal pain

I got a thing you put in freezer, then put a gauze sleeve over it and put it in pants. Femepad ot something.

I was completely unprepared about soreness. I had episiotomy and even after that no-one really acknowledged that I might be in pain. Maybe it was obvious! Lasted weeks for me.

Baths might have helped if I'd had time for one!

Sorry. I'm sure not everyone experiences this.

All I did post birth was keep it clean, lots of clean water back to front in the bath, then put shower on. I had a few stitches which weren't really a problem. I did bleed for quite a while though so was doubly hygienic.

Before birth I just bathed every day as normal. Didn't realise you were supposed to do anything different.

After giving birth I spent one night in hospital and remember being given a sachet of salt to go in the bath that night and the following day before being discharged. I suppose that helps healing the stitches area (I had small perineal episiotomy).

Just make sure you have enough maternity pads. Supermarket own brand are all fine. They do the big padded ones then flatter/normal ones.

I had 2nd degree tear and was told to have a bath twice a day until stitches had dissolved.

So glad you posted this as this is something I am keen to look into myself!

A few ladies at work advised me to use lavender oil to help with healing. Not sure how well it works but I’m going to nip to my local Holland and Barrett to get myself a bottle!

I got a witch hazel gel after seeing it talked about on here and it was really cool and soothing on the maternity pad. Would really recommend it, it made a big difference for me. I had a few tears that were left to heal naturally.

I can REALLY recommend this, so soothing, I won't be without it next time www.earthmamaangelbaby.co.uk/shop/new-mama-bottom-spray-120-ml-4-oz.html

You might be fine though and need nothing!

Ice packs were the only thing that took away the edge from where I tore. I used one every day for a few weeks, it really helped. Also a jug you don’t mind using in the bathroom, if you pour cool water on yourself while you pee, that helps to clean the blood without having to wipe excessively, and reduced the stinging from the pee.

Arnica tablets to help with any bruising. Can buy in boots for under a fiver

Gave birth 10 days ago and have been using the expert midwife spitz for bits and love it. I have been using the thick boots maternity pads and have been have soap free baths with lavender and tea tree oil

Just use water
Let the air get to everything
Use a clean flannel as a towel after each time you Wash
Wash often

I’ve had a vaginal delivery and a elcs and did the same each time. Lucky to heal well and not get any infections

Sudacrem on your pads if you feel sore, lying on a towel and drying naturally after a bath or shower, and lavender oil in the bath when you reach the bruised stage (please don't do a me a have a look at it at that point ha!)
Congratulations!

Forgot to add, I only had grazing, no tears or stitches, so advise to ask your midwife about my suggestions if you have any stitches etc x

@Heartburn888 you can get lavender bath oil and roll ons from Poundland 😊

@PurpleFrames nice one! Thank you!