8 Must-Have Postpartum Items for Perineal Care!
As a former Labor and Delivery nurse and a mother to two young boys, I’ve had my fair share of experience when it comes to postpartum recovery care. Proper postpartum perineal care is essential when it comes to preventing infections and healthy healing of your perineum.
Having gone through the postpartum stage myself twice, I understand how rewarding it can be, as well as the difficulties you may come across. It’s this in-between stage where you don’t quite feel like yourself yet but you also aren’t pregnant anymore. I’ve made a list of top favorite items to help make this stage of your life easier and a smoother experience while you care for your healing body and new baby.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links to products I own and love, and/or those I highly recommend. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases when you click on the links at no additional cost to you.
I first want to start off with sharing a post from my Instagram page on how you can create a postpartum bathroom care kit for FREE using the supplies given to you at the hospital!
If you’re wanting to stock up before delivery and you don’t mind spending some extra cash on items, here is a list of what to get!
Pads: I recommend getting two different absorbency levels of pads. You’ll need something thicker during the beginning where you’ll experience heavier bleeding, and something thinner as the blood flow starts to taper off. Don’t toss out the super large ones the hospital gives you- use them overnight so you’re more protected while laying down.
Ice Packs: For soothing your sore and swollen perineum, you can snag ice packs similar to the ones you’ll be given at the hospital, or these much loved padsicles by Frida Mom are a wonderful option, too.
Underwear: Grab some fuller coverage underwear in a size up from your normal size to accommodate the thick padding and ice packs. Many women also like the comfort and convenience of these disposable ones. If you’re like me and you actually prefer the mesh/stetchy panties given to you at the hospital, these are very similar.
Numbing Spray: This little Dermoplast can contains magical postpartum fairy dust! Spray it directly onto your perineum for some numbing relief.
Tucks Pads: You can find these Tucks pads near the pharmacy at your local grocery or drugstore. Lay them on top of your pad, to be directly on your skin for instant soothing relief. Tip: Keep them in the fridge for cooling comfort. Little slice of postpartum heaven!
Perineal Sitz Bath Spray: Don’t have time for a sitz bath or wanting some quick touch-free peri care? This herbal perineal spray will provide you with instant soothing relief!
Hemorrhoid Cream: Some women end up getting hemorrhoids, others don’t. Stock your basket with a tube of hemorrhoid cream, just incase!
Peri Bottle– These peri bottles are similar to the ones you’ll be given at the hospital, or you can opt for this one by Frida Mom with an angled neck. My number one tip to all my mamas when using the peri bottle is to spray it on your vaginal and perineal area WHILE you are peeing. By doing this, the water will dilute the acidity of the urine, which in turn will decrease the amount of burning and stinging you may experience. Then when you’re finished using the restroom, do a full cleanse with the bottle to make sure everything is clean and fresh. * Use either warm or cool water in the bottle, whichever is most comfortable for you.
I hope you’ve found this list helpful in preparing your bathroom kit with the needed essential for postpartum perineal care! I’d love to hear from you in the comments below about any items that are top on your list!
