The Truth About Padsicles + Bottom Spray + Sitz Baths

• I totally understand and hear that there’s so much concern about the pain ‘down there’ after birth. Stitches, stretching, swelling are all part of the conversation when we talk about vaginal births and naturally, there will be products and services aimed at lowering this discomfort.
  
• A lot of the birthing people that I work with want some sort of promise or way to ease the pain that they’re anticipating, and again, I totally understand and can empathize with that. However, I usually suggest saving your money and doing the follow:
  

1. The hospital *should* give you a peribottle but it’s good to get one to have at home, just in case. Also, take a peek at the price on that guy.. Less than a dollar. So go to the dollar store, get something cheap because this doesn’t have to be fancy.
   
2. Invest in a real herbal mix that you’ll be able to use for pads, bottom spray AND the sitz bath because..
   

*The truth of the matter is that most bottom sprays only get used for one or two days, sitz baths will often sit unused and padsicles are more of a ‘security blanket’ feeling that’s hiding in the freezer than a tool that’s actually used.
        The reason I like the herbal sitz bath is because a. there are then NO chemicals
at all, nor preservatives, no nothing, b. herbs are medicine and they’ll *actually* work. The biggest issue though? It needs to be made fresh. Boiling the herbs and keeping the water can’t be made ahead of time, but there’s lots you can do to make it easy to do once you’re home.

• The base for everything is the sitz bath blend. Grab tea bags, old pantyhose, cheesecloth, etc and spoon in little ‘sitz bath bombs’ of 2tbsp each. The idea is that whenever you go to make your Magic Healing Infusion (MHI) that all you need to do is drop one ‘bomb’ into one cups of water, boil, let steep, and voila, all done. Making them into the little ‘bombs’ is key though because then there’s nothing to strain out. Simply take out the herbs and your MHI is ready to be used.
  
• You can
  
  • Mix your MHI with witch hazel to spray onto your padsicles (not necessary, probably a bit overkill but it is what it is. 
    
  • Mix your MHI with witch hazel and water (one part MHI, one part witch hazel, two parts water) for your peribottle post-bathroom rinse (and be sure to make a new bottle every day!)
    
  • Mix your MHI with water for a sitz bath (4 cups of MHI with 4 cups of water)
    

If you’re going to do one of the three things listed above, I’d suggest the sitz bath. The spray after going to the bathroom gets old quick (constantly wet panties from the spray mixed with postpartum bleeding usually doesn’t appeal for too long) and the padsicles are more of a novelty/trend than a must-do (even though they’re great!!!! Especially in the first couple days postpartum if there’s lots of swelling). 
A daily sitz bath can a. Do wonders for the skin’s healing, b. Help the stitches stay soft and heal well, and c. get you some alone time
… and if you know anything about me, you know I’m all about the birthing person stealing away as many moments alone as possible, whenever possible, however possible.

And where to get his magical herbal blend from?
Tried, true, trusted: https://theherbalclinicanddispensary.com/portfolio/loose-tea-blends/
“Perineal Wash”
*Only purchase herbal blends from apothecaries. And if you have any questions about where to buy if you need somewhere closer to you, please message me!*