5 Ways to Quicken Your Postpartum Healing
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What are easy ways to quicken postpartum healing?
This post contains some helpful tips you can implement if you are a first-time mom or are planning to have your first vaginal birth and delivery. As a first-time mom I didn’t fully know how long it would take to heal from a vaginal delivery. Healing after childbirth can be miserable if I’m being honest but I have 5 tips that can help with postpartum healing and even include some products that I feel could be helpful to a speedy recovery.
If you’re interested in what you should pack in your hospital bag as a new mom, read the post here! It goes over the ESSENTIAL items that you will need while in the hospital. A lot of post partum healing will be available at the hospital for you.
Pain management during postpartum healing
The first thing I would highly recommend to any first time mom who is preparing to have a vaginal birth (with the very real possibility of tearing) would be to assess your pain tolerance BEFORE you give birth. If you have a birth plan, think about the possibility of using these after you give birth – the hospital will likely give you some Tylenol around the clock (and charge you an arm and a leg for it!) and depending on the level of tearing, they might give you stronger medications like oxycodone.
I knew going into my delivery as a first time mom that I could not tolerate pain so I made my own little plan to take medications around the clock and that I would eventually not need them anymore. You will eventually start feeling better, I promise! Some people feel great after delivery with minimal tearing, others have second and third degree tears which are more painful. Do not feel bad about having to take medication and if you have questions about them, speak with your provider. In addition, some women complain about the pain they experience when using the bathroom. I would recommend adding a stool softener that your provider approves, drink plenty of water, and use a peri bottle for longer than they recommend.
Products to help postpartum healing
For a vaginal delivery, the products that I’m mentioning are likely coming in contact with that area, so please test these before-hand to make sure you do not have an allergic reaction of any sort. You don’t want to be experiencing more discomfort while trying to heal because a spray doesn’t work well for you.
Peri Bottle
When you’re in the hospital they will provide you with one of these bottles. Simply fill it up with water and spray while you pee. You might prefer warm water over cold water. Test and see which one feels best for you. Postpartum healing in that area is very tender, so use the bottle to spray yourself clean and lightly dab the area instead of wiping it harshly. A lot of people recommend the Frida mom bottle – I put one on my registry but realized the hospital one did the job for me.
Adult Diapers & Witch Hazel Pads
First time moms, get yourself the adult diapers – I would skip underwear and pads because the bleeding can be more than a regular period and you can dispose the whole diaper. If you prefer pads, you can add witch hazel pads which will help soothe the area.
Donut Pillow
One of the worst parts in the postpartum healing process was sitting for me. The area was swollen, tender, and sitting put a lot of pressure down there. My cousin recommended that I get a donut pillow and it allowed me to heal so much quicker. I had a hard time sitting for 3 months but it got easier around 2 months once I started using this pillow. It allows you to sit comfortably without putting as much pressure. If you don’t want to buy this, put it on your registry.
Dermoplast Spray
Another product for vaginal postpartum recovery is to use a numbing spray so you are able to move around easier. Please test this before delivery! Make sure the product does not cause any type of reaction. Simply spray and feel relief!
Sitz baths for postpartum healing
A nice warm bath is relaxing in any situation but especially during this fourth trimester healing time. Fill your bath to a point that’s most comfortable with you and you can just do that or you can add epsom salt but this can be irritating for some. Sit in the warm water and rotate it out if you prefer, but do this for at least 15-20 minutes.
Movement
Healing from any surgery or delivery can be greatly improved with movement. This is not rigorous, I just mean walk when you are able. Get up and use the bathroom without assistance if you can. Slowly work up to how much you are able to tolerate. Maybe going to the mailbox is enough for you but over time try to stretch that to the end of your block and around the neighborhood. Do not over do it, but movement is key to postpartum healing.
Rest, Relaxation, and Support
Anyone and everyone should be your pillar of support during recovery. Enlist your partner to do diaper changes, burping, and getting baby up if you are breastfeeding and in pain from your vaginal delivery. Have family and friends bring you food because no one wants to make meals when you are insanely sleep deprived with a newborn, leaking from your breasts, and bleeding through pads and diapers. There are a lot of freezer meals that people have online to prepare for a newborn as easy access if they don’t have family or friends to support them in that way. I was so extremely thankful for my neighbor who would make us dinners for days at a time during that beginning stage of recovery. If you are breastfeeding, also make sure you are getting enough calories and protein to sustain your milk and your body.
Realistic expectations
The most important part of recovery is being realistic and gentle with yourself. The postpartum period is not easy, regardless of if you have help or not. Ask around for recommendations on products for recovery and see how long it took your friends to be comfortable with sitting, using the bathroom, and other related topics. My friends would say around 6 weeks they saw some improvement but didn’t feel back to normal until around 3-4 months and these people have better pain tolerances! If you go into this new time in parenthood with a plan and goals in mind, you will see more success. Do not rush the healing process, do not worry if you don’t bounce back immediately. You gave birth, you are sleep deprived, and you are doing the best you can.
FAQs
When will I feel better after a vaginal delivery?
It depends on many factors: what is your pain tolerance like? Are you a first-time mom or is this your first vaginal delivery? Do you have the support you need to heal? There is no set timeline, but if you are worried then talk to your provider and reach out to family and friends that you trust to guide you through this process.
Will my vagina go back to normal during postpartum?
Although it might have stretched and needed stitches after delivery, time should bring it back to a similar stage that it was in. If you experience a lot of pain, a physical therapist might be able to help you.
What can I do to make sure I do not get an infection?
Make sure you use your peri bottle and allow the water to clean that area. Your hospital should have given you instructions for specific details on when you can use soap to clean the area. Treat it like any other injury or wound and keep it clean, dry, and if you notice any signs of infections (excessive redness, smells, pus) then contact your doctor for treatment and diagnosis.
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