6 Ways To Help Ease Vaginal Discomfort After Giving Birth

Most mommies are so caught up in prepping for their dreaded, but at the same time highly anticipated D-day that they aren’t fully aware of what their lady parts will feel like after delivering their tiny little roommate.

Yes, they warned you labor wouldn’t be pretty. Heck, you spent nine months steeling your nerves in preparation for all the pain. But no one ever warned you about the ouches, aches, and the all out misery in your vag that would still linger after you are done delivering your little boo. And that, mommies, is the ugly truth. In fact, you can expect the discomfort to persist for at least a few more days, or even a week. Don’t be too disheartened though. Fortunately, we’ve compiled a list of 6 pain relieving remedies approved by doctors and sworn by moms in recovery everywhere.

1. A Spritz To Soothe The Ache 

The abrasions, swelling, and tears gained after a vaginal delivery make the innocuous ritual of peeing an absolute nightmare. Oh no, the fear! That dreaded burn! Save yourself all that trauma, and meet your new friend –a trusty, run-of the-mill peri bottle.

This hand-held, minuscule plastic container that happens to squirt will change your postpartum life. Just stock it with lukewarm water and spritz yourself down there as you pee in order to dilute the sting of your concentrated, acidic urine. Bonus? All that soothing warm water will bea bliss for your delicate, inflamed tissues. However, remember to avoid any direct spritzing into your vagina as that will only serve to exacerbate your pain. Some mommies have enhanced the peri bottle method with a nice little twist of adding tea tree oil. By adding a few drops of this marvel of an oil that is packed with antiseptic, analgesic (read: pain killer), and anti-inflammatory goodness, you can allegedly not only feel great but also speed up your recovery.

Caution though, experts recommend against the use of tea tree oil if you happen to be pregnant or nursing.

2. Invest In A Pain Relief Spray

Pain relieving sprays are available at any local drugstore. Purchasing a few before your baby arrives would be a smart move. Just give the skin a good, quick spray of numbing relief each time you happen to finish using the washroom or happen to change your pad. This will numb and cool down your sore and swollen privates. If you’re searching for one that is more of the anesthetic variety, then get the frothy spray that contains pramoxine. If you suffer from inflamed, itchy, and irritated tissues, then try purchasing a hydrocortisone spray.

3. Ice, Ice, Baby

A few hospitals happen to offer ice pads shaped like maxi pads that all new mommies can wear alongside their underwear in order to gain soothing relief for their vaginal discomfort. Put it on for 15-20 minute and expect to see wonders in regards to inflammation reduction. If you fall short of ice pads supply, don’t lose heart.You can simply watch a DIY YouTube video to easily make yourself one in the comfort of your home. It is more hassle-free than you’d think.

4. Soak Around In A Sitz Bath 

Post delivery, sitz baths will be your new favorite hobby. In regards to soothing the soreness and dulling your aches, these baths are a downright blessing from up above. Soaking in the warm water will increase the flow of blood to your damaged tissues, thereby accelerating the healing process. You can either do the ‘sitz’ (read: bath where you only submerge your hips or buttocks) in a regular bathtub, or you could make use of the kit provided by some hospitals in their postpartum unit. For the bath, all you require is 3-4 inches of warm water.Proceed to submerge only your buttocks and hips for roughly 20 minutes each day. Adding oatmeal or herbs may help soothe any potential itching if you happen to have stitches.

5. Get The Maximum Out Of Your Dryer

Once you’re done peeing, sitz soaking or even peri bottling, have a seat or maybe even stand up and position your legs apart from each other. Now, set your hair dryer at its coolest setting and move it around your damp privates. Always ensure, however, that you keep a distance of 6-8 inches between the hair dryer and your privates, and that you don’t exceed the session by more than 3 minutes.

6. Tea Party For Your Pants

Black tea simply bursts with anti-inflammatory goodness that you need to harness. Once you’ve utilized the black tea bag to make yourself a good old cup of hot tea, after allowing it to cool, slip it inside your underwear like you would a pad. Expect pure bliss.

Though doctors have approved all the above listed tips, it is still best if you consult a gynecologist or your health care provider before commencing any new regime. They will ultimately be the best judge of what suits you best and won’t interfere with your postpartum recovery. Best of luck, mommy!

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Author

Emaan Shah

Emaan is a voracious and rather indiscriminate reader. She is also a writer, history buff, insomniac, amateur doodle artist, terrible poet and a self-professed philosopher (but only after 3 am). Currently, she is pursuing a degree in medicine