Postpartum Healing

Nov 12

Once you have given birth, there will be a significant amount of healing time, which is often overlooked when planning for baby. Many women will experience bleeding similar to a heavy period for 1-2 weeks, which can continue up to the 6-week postpartum visit. During this time, the uterus continues to contract—these contractions may intensify if you are breastfeeding due to the spike in oxytocin. These contractions help close the blood vessels, slowly healing the uterine lining and returning the uterus to its original size. Passing blood clots up to the size of your fist is normal during the first 6 weeks postpartum.

Bleeding will start heavy and then gradually taper off, ending with brownish discharge. This process is the same whether you gave birth vaginally or via cesarean. However, with a cesarean birth, you will also have additional healing from the incision. Nurses during your hospital stay will assist with changing the dressing and provide instructions on the healing process. Hospitals often have belly binders available to take home if you ask.

The majority of women also experience tearing during vaginal birth. There are four degrees of tearing, and a first-degree tear may not require stitching. Having certain care items on hand is very helpful. Lidocaine spray can ease discomfort during healing—some hospitals provide this, while others do not. Stitches will dissolve on their own, but during the healing process, you may experience itching and some pain. Nurses will give clear instructions on what signs to watch for during recovery.

What do you really need?

Do NOT use postpartum:
✕ Tampons, Menstrual Disc or Cup

Products you WILL need:

✓ Heavy Flow Pads
✓ Briefs / Postpartum Underwear *
✓ Healing Spray or Foam
✓ Peri Bottle *

Things to prioritize:

✓ Time to REST
✓ Nutrient dense meals
✓ Hydration
✓ Emotional & Physical Support

*Optional: Most hospitals provide these. Check with your hospital on what is provided.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED POSTPARTUM

Pads

The first and most important thing to note is that you will be bleeding postpartum. Due to the dinner plate-sized wound inside your uterus where the placenta was attached, you won’t be able to use tampons, discs, or menstrual cups. Any overnight or heavy-flow pads will work. Winged pads may not fit well with briefs, but you might find them useful once you start wearing regular underwear again.

FRIDA MOM — $11 (HSA/FSA Eligible)
LOLA POSTPARTUM PADS — $13 (HSA/FSA Eligible)

You may not need a huge pack. Start with a small pack and get more as needed.

Postpartum Underwear

The hospital will provide these! They are not something you need to buy. If you want to purchase some, I recommend the Frida Mom underwear. They are soft, stretchy, and have more structure than the traditional mesh hospital underwear you will be given. Once you are finished using the larger pads, make sure to have a pair of 100% cotton underwear that are stretchy or one size larger than you usually wear, to wear with a pad.

FRIDA MOM — $14 (HSA/FSA Eligible)

Healing Foam / Spray

For perineal healing support, a foam or spray can be very helpful to have on hand. In the first week (or longer!), you can use this after every time you use the bathroom. Many of these products contain mostly witch hazel. Most hospitals will provide Tucks pads and Dermoplast. I prefer the foam because it can disperse evenly and has a cooling effect to soothe the perineum. If you would also like a spray to apply directly to your perineum (which is great for stitches), I recommend the Earth Mama herbal spray or Dermoplast. Be sure to ask your hospital what they provide for perineal healing postpartum.

FRIDA MOM FOAM — $12 (HSA/FSA Eligible)
EARTH MAMA SPRAY — $14

DERMOPLAST — $8

Peri Bottle

Postpartum you will want to use a peri bottle instead of wiping with toilet paper. This is not something that is required to buy since the hospital will give you a peri bottle (image 1). What makes the Frida Mom ones so popular is the position of the spout. They bring ease to the postpartum period.

I recommend adding warm water to the peri bottle before you sit on the toilet. Use the water as you urinate if you are experiencing any stinging from stitches.

FRIDA MOM — $12