Postpartum Perineal Pain

If you had a vaginal birth, chances are you're super sore "down there." Having a baby puts a ton of pressure on your perineum—the spot between your vajayjay and rear. A lot of women's perineums also rip during childbirth which can require stitches. An episiotomy—cutting the perineum open to make room for baby—used to be common, but most docs don't do it anymore as natural tears tend to heal better.

If you didn't tear during childbirth, lucky you! You'll probably be swollen and sore for a few days and then things should feel much better. If you did tear the recovery may take days to weeks depending on the degree of the tear.

If you're hurting down there, here are a few tips to make you feel a bit better:

• Right after you have your baby, put an ice pack in your panties. It'll help with the swelling. The nurses in the hospital should provide you with plenty of ice packs so change it out when it gets warm.
• Sit on a doughnut or a boppy pillow and try to avoid putting pressure on the area.
• Take some medication! Ask your doc to give you something for the pain. (Avoid aspirin if you're breastfeeding, it's not safe for baby.)
• Put some Tucks or witch hazel-soaked pads on the area. They're very soothing.
• Use the squirt bottle the hospital provides to clean yourself after going to the bathroom. Rubbing the area will only make things worse. If you do use TP, pat, don't wipe.
• Take a soothing sitz bath.

Check out this page full of postpartum health information!