HealthPartners - Preparing for childbirth

PERINEAL CARE You may experience tears and lacerations in your perineum when having a baby. Perineal and vaginal tears can cause pain and

tenderness for several weeks. Good hygiene can help relieve pain, prevent infection, and promote healing.

Tips for a healthy perineum • Wash your perineum with mild soap and water at least once a day • Use a hand-held shower or squeeze bottle, or take a sitz bath • Pat your perineum dry with soft toilet paper or antiseptic towelettes • Try an antiseptic spray or analgesic cream to help relieve discomfort • Rinse with lukewarm water after urinating and bowel movements • Wash and wipe from the front to the back • Carefully wash your hands before and after changing sanitary pads • Apply sanitary pads from the front to the back • Always change your pad after urinating or a bowel movement • Check the amount and color of lochia when you change the pad If you had an episiotomy, your perineum may be especially sore. It may take up to 4 weeks for an episiotomy incision to heal; the sutures will dissolve on their own. Call your health care provider if your pain increases or becomes intense. BATHS AND SHOWERS If you had a vaginal birth , you can usually shower as soon as you can safely walk around. Sitz baths are soothing if you had an episiotomy or have a sore bottom. Check with your health care provider about when you can take a tub bath. If you had a cesarean birth , you can shower after the first day if you are walking and steady on your feet. Your nurse or health care provider will need to remove the bandage first. It’s OK to use soap on the upper part of your body and let it rinse down over your incision. Wait a few weeks before taking a tub bath.

“Padsicle” is a play on the words “pad” and “popsicle.” These frozen sanitary pads can help ease swelling and discomfort in your perineum during the postpartum period. They also work for hemorrhoids. To make a padsicle: • Unfold a large pad • Place about 4 tablespoons of witch hazel along it • Cover with about 1 tablespoon of aloe gel that is made without unnecessary ingredients • Fold the pad back up and store in a large freezer bag until needed

have another period. But even if you don’t have a period, your body may produce eggs, and you could get pregnant again.

RESUMING SEX Babies take a lot of time and energy, making it tough for many new parents to

recapture their closeness as a couple. It’s a good idea to talk to your partner about resuming sexual activity to prevent any misunderstanding. If you had a tear, episiotomy, or cesarean, it may take up to 6 weeks to heal and feel less painful. When you do decide to have sex, a water-based cream or jelly can help with any vaginal dryness. Let your partner know if any sexual activities are painful for you.

MENSTRUAL CYCLE You will probably have your next period in about 7 to 9 weeks. If you’re breastfeeding, it may take 12 weeks or longer before you

94 Your Guide to Labor and Birth