In my third trimester, I made a point to ask my mom friends about their favorite perineum postpartum essentials after vaginal birth. I wanted to be fully prepared for recovery, whether I had a c-section or vaginal delivery. I ended up having my baby vaginally (not without collateral damage, haha), and I’m sharing exactly what helped me heal, what I loved, my routine, and what I’d skip next time when it comes to perineal care postpartum.
Postpartum Perineal Care Essentials After Vaginal Birth
1. Best Peri Bottle for Postpartum Care
Specifically, a retractable one like this Frida Mom peri bottle is essential for cleaning after a vaginal birth.
The hospital will provide one, but these usually aren’t the best. The peri-bottle that my hospital provided looked like a mini condiment squirt bottle. Since I needed to hold it practically upright when cleaning my perineum, it was very hard to use even half of the water in the bottle. (I guess I need to work on my grip strength.) The bottle was also extra stiff and difficult to squeeze, so not ideal for one-handed use.
I prefer the Frida Mom peri bottle since . . .
- the angled nozzle is easier to use.
- it uses ALL the water effeciently.
- its a soft, silicone bottle, which makes a huge difference one-handed.
The peri bottle that I linked above is also ideal for on-the-go use due to it’s collapsible spout and mini drawstring bag. This still helps to keep the contents concealed and discrete if you decide to go out and about.
TIP: Use WARM water in your peri bottle for a more soothing touch on any tears or stitches.
2. Disposable Underwear for Postpartum Bleeding
When you’re freshly postpartum, you’ll definitely want something with more coverage (and dependability) than your regular underwear. Some prefer the mesh underwear with an added postpartum pad (the hospital will provide both of these).
I personally used these Always Discreet postpartum underwear since . . .
- it has built-in absorbable padding, so there’s no pad shifting around.
- it’s more secure during heavy bleeding.
While I did have to pretty much change my whole underwear between bathroom runs, it’s well worth the security I have while wearing them.
3. Perineal Ice Pack Pads for Pain Relief
These were definitely a life saver for my vaginal birth recovery the first several days postpartum. These ice pack pads help . . .
- maintain swelling and inflammation.
- absorb that heavy postpartum bleeding.
These ice packs remain room temperature until you squeeze the ice pack to “pop” the pocket of chemicals that mix with the rest of the ice pack to activate the cold compress.
I initially stocked up with a box of Frida Mom instant ice maxi pads at home for my postpartum care. The hospital had PLENTY and sent me home with so many extras that I didn’t even get to unbox the ones I bought ahead of time.
I also gravely overestimated how long I would actually use these for. I believe I stopped using these about 5 or 6 days postpartum, but every mom is different!
TIP: Sprinkle some water on the part of the ice pack that touches your body after activating it. It turns the ice pack MUCH colder for better soothing properties and inflammation control.
4. Postpartum Maxi Pads
These may also be called postpartum maternity pads. These postpartum essentials offer more coverage and absorbency than your regular maxi pad. This is another thing that my hospital sent me home with, so I didn’t have to purchase these separately. You’ll want these on hand to use right after you graduate from the ice pack phase (or skip to my routine described below to learn when exactly I incorporated these into my care routine).
5. Perineal Healing Foam
I used the Frida Mom perineal healing foam on top of my ice packs and postpartum maxi pads to add an additional cooling effect.
This healing foam contains witch hazel among other ingredients that promote healing. Another product that famously contains the same active ingredient (witch hazel) are Tucks medicated cooling pads. My hospital provided Tucks cooling pads. I much prefer this foam version of the same product since . . .
- these don’t become saturated and stick to your perineum, leading to painful removal (unlike Tucks cooling pads).
- the foam provides a cooling effect.
- the foam is easier to use instead of the Tucks cooling pads (I felt like I was making a Subway sandwich each time I layered the Tucks pads on my ice pack).
Tip: Both the perineal foam and the Tucks pads (whichever you use) can be stored in the refridgerator for extra cooling relief.
6. Postpartum Dermaplast Spray
This Dermaplast spray allows instant cooling relief on your perineum. It’s a much more direct application compared to the other products since it’s applied straight to the perineum.
This is another postpartum essential that my hospital provided me. The usual Dermaplast spray is what most people will find on Amazon and other stores, but Walmart specifically carries a postpartum Dermaplast spray that I can’t find anywhere else.
What’s the difference? Both contain instant-cooling properties and 20% Benzocaine for pain relief, but the postpartum version has been tested specifically for use in intimate areas and has added soothing ingredients like aloe and lanolin. Personally, I think its worth it.
7. Stool Softener
I know, not the most glamorous on our postpartum essentials list, but it’s essential nonetheless.
My hospital gave me stool softeners while I was admitted, but I was instructed to continue an OTC stool softener after I was discharged. You do not want to strain.
TIP/TMI: Most women don’t have their first bowel movement until 2-5 days after giving birth. Make sure you’re religious about taking stool softeners for these first several days as well as several days to follow.
My Postpartum Perineal Care Routine”
What do you use first? For how long? In what order should you layer your postpartum essentials? Is there a wrong way to use something?
Week 1
For the first 5-7 days, here was my care routine for changing my postpartum essentials (depending on whether or not you tear and the degree, you may choose to do this process for longer than I did):
- Use peri bottle to cleanse any areas that are tender or painful to pressure. (Make sure to fill it up before your sit down though! I’ve made this mistake plenty of times.) You might be inclined to “dab” as needed, but just be very careful. If you choose to dab in addition to using a peri-bottle, I would suggest using a wet wipe instead of toilet paper. Usually waste comes off easier with a little moisture from the wet wipe, and sometimes toilet paper can feel abrasive or “pointy.” You may also feel less burning when peeing if you use your peri bottle (with warm water) as you’re tinkling. Also, a HUGE tip that I learned is to lean forward (almost to the ground) when peeing as much as possible to avoid burning. This helps urine to flow away from the perineum.
- I get a new pair of disposable underwear each time. You’ll want a new pair of these each time because the adhesive that’s on the back of the ice packs (that you’ll apply next) isn’t friendly to the material of the disposable underwear.
- Activate a perineal ice pack pad, open the packaging, and sprinkle some clean water on the absorbent side to maximize the cooling effect. Peel off the adhesive wrapper and secure it to the inside of the disposable underwear.
- Spray some perineal healing foam on top of the ice pack pad. How much you use is up to you, and it’ll be easier to gauge how much you prefer after the first few times of use.
- Spray your postpartum Dermaplast spray directly onto your perineum before standing up. Again, how much you use is up to you!
Week 2
After the first initial week, I didn’t feel like I needed the ice pack pad anymore and followed the below steps in order:
- Used peri bottle.
- Get a new pair of disposable underwear or use your own underwear. (Skip the perineal ice pack.)
- Place a postpartum maxi pad in the underwear.
- Spray perineal healing foam on the maxi pad.
- Spray postpartum Dermaplast spray on perineum.
Week 3
By three weeks, I felt comfortable enough to no longer need the disposable underwear anymore and instead:
- Used peri bottle.
- Used my own underwear.
- Depending on flow, I would either use a postpartum maxi pad or a regular maxi pad.
- Spray perineal healing foam every other time.
- Spray postpartum Dermaplast spray as needed for comfort.
Final Thoughts
Healing after a vaginal birth takes time, but having the right postpartum essentials and a simple perineal care routine can make recovery much easier.
What worked best for me was staying consistent, using soothing products, and adjusting my routine as my body healed. Every postpartum experience is different, so give yourself grace and focus on what brings you the most comfort.
I hope this guide to perineal care after vaginal birth helps you feel more prepared and supported during your postpartum recovery.