Daft question of the day!

[finallypregnant]

I am prepared for the bleeding after birth so have lots and lots of varying types of pads. Now, it's not going to be possible to have a bath or a shower every couple of hours to clean myself up but the thought of old blood sitting stagnent until I can fills me with dread!

Is it safe to use baby wipes on the old fanjo or may be a clean pad with wearm water and tea tree oil.

What did you do?

i used to have a jug of warm water with me a poar over and pat dry,really helps with the stinging if you have a tear or stiches too

will depend entirely on what kind of birth you have

dd1 I was stitched for hours and couldn't bear anything there so everytime I went to loo I nipped into shower and gave it a quick colling whizz with some water

dd2 was eventual emcs after long labour so although still sore down below I was able to use wet toilet wipes to keep clean as hadn't been cut/stitched

hth

Oh god lord - you will so tired so will not care...and so in love with your new baby. And trust me if you make a shower a week for the 1st few months you will be doing well

I second the jug of lukewarm water every time you pee and for cleaning yourself up. I also used to jump in the shower every few hours and hose down without having a full shower IYSWIM. Thats easier once you are home obviously.

Oh and a bath every day with lavender and tea tree oil in it (good for getting away and relaxing too).

Jug of warm water with a drop of lavender oil in it poured over the appropriate area when I went to the loo (lavender oil can help with the healing too).

I had DS2 in Germany and they give you some Chamomile solution that you put into a small jug with warm water to poor over the area after each pee. The midwives in hospital encourage you to sit in a shallow bath of it as well in the first week. You could try asking a naturopath/homeopath - or on the German Corner thread. It was very comfortable and I healed fast and well.

I didn't get the same here last time - something different but can't remember what -wasn't as 'required' as the first time anyway.

I am 36 weeks with DC3 and such thoughts haven't really crossed my mind - least of my worries I think ...

and remember your arnica tablets to promote healing too

Oh and if you actually want lavender oil to disperse properly in the water you need to put the couple of drops in a little milk first and then in the warm water - otherwise the oil will only sit on the surface of the water and you may miss out on it altogether. I would also be v careful not to use too much lavender or tea tree oil or you could burn yourself.

i just made a pad of loo paper, ran under cold tap till very soggy and patted - was great!. wipes might be abit stingy if you have stitches.

canestan make some 'intimate cleansing wipes' called Care that are evry good, but as the others have already said, you'll probably be too busy to care!
Lavendar oil on a soft gauze pad in your pants is excellent if you have stitches too.
good luck!