After giving birth, your vaginal area can feel swollen and sore. It’s scientifically proven that Cool Couchie pads—our cooling maternity pads—help reduce pain and swelling while supporting faster healing. Plus, they boost your comfort during everyday activities like sitting, lying down, and walking. Cool Couchie pads are the most effective and easy-to-use cooling maternity pads available. Not only do midwives and maternity nurses recommend them, but many cool moms swear by them too!
What are cooling maternity pads and how do they work?
Cool Couchie pads are specially designed maternity pads with built-in cooling technology. No need to freeze them—they’re ready to use right away. You activate the cooling function by simply folding the pad in half until you hear a soft “pop.” After that, give it a little shake, and within seconds it becomes pleasantly cool! The temperature is perfectly calibrated for healing—not icy cold, but soothingly cool. Once activated, just pop the pad into your big underwear, boxer shorts, or yes, even your maternity diaper—and you’re good to go!
How often and when should you use cooling maternity pads?
Cooling maternity pads are a musthave in your hospital bag
The best time to start using cooling maternity pads is right after your first shower following delivery. Especially if you have stitches or small tears, sitting can be really uncomfortable. Using cooling maternity pads like Cool Couchie makes a huge difference—they’re super soft and cooling, which helps ease that sharp pain.
Cooling isn’t just nice—it actually works. By cooling your vaginal area, swelling decreases and your recovery speeds up. Definitely a must-have in your hospital bag!
Most women pack two pads in their hospital bag, but if you have the space, it’s smart to bring a whole box. Tip: keep the pads in their original packaging while packing to avoid them getting squashed, which could accidentally trigger the cooling mechanism and render them ineffective.
Don’t hesitate to ask for help activating your cooling pads
Giving birth is a huge achievement! Right after, you might feel a bit weak, and folding the cooling maternity pad to activate it can be tricky. Don’t hesitate to ask your partner or maternity nurse for help. Each pad has clear instructions on the back to guide you through activation so you can quickly enjoy instant cooling relief. Below, Dewi shows you in a short video how to activate a Cool Couchie pad.
Wear cooling maternity pads in an adult diaper or loose boxer shorts
Cooling maternity pads are usually quite large—and that’s for a good reason. In the first days after birth, you can expect quite a bit of bleeding (yes, even clots the size of a fist are normal!). Thanks to their size, cooling maternity pads give you optimal protection and comfort so you don’t have to worry about leaks.
The best way to wear them is in an adult diaper (no joke—they’re super comfy!) or loose boxer shorts to keep everything securely in place. Skip strings or mesh underwear for now—they don’t hold the pads well (they tend to slip down!) and usually aren’t comfortable.
Here’s another tip: let your bottom air out now and then. It helps your body heal faster. Want to learn more about caring for your lady parts during your postpartum week? Check out our blog on the optimal postpartum care routine for faster healing: rinsing, cooling, and air-drying.
Use Cooling Maternity Pads When Resting
Cooling your vaginal area after birth works best when you’re resting—either lying down or sitting. Use Cool Couchie pads 2 to 4 times a day during the first few days after your delivery, depending on your need for comfort and pain relief. According to the popular “555 rule” (for your postpartum recovery) it’s best to stay mostly in bed or on the couch for the first 5 days after delivery. These moments are perfect for wearing a Cool Couchie pad. Many women especially love cooling right before bedtime—that extra comfort really makes a difference. Read more about the popular 555 rule for your postpartum week in our blog.
Alternate Cooling Maternity Pads With Regular Maternity Pads
We recommend alternating Cool Couchie pads with regular maternity pads. Usually, 10 pads are enough for the first few days. This doesn't necessarily have to be one after the other, but continuous cooling is not advised. Even if you have stitches, you won’t regret having 10 pads on hand. If you want to be more conservative, 5 pads already make a big difference for day one after birth! Just like when you’re on your period, change your pads at every bathroom visit or when they feel full.
In short, after giving birth, cooling maternity pads like the Cool Couchie pad can truly make a difference. They reduce pain and swelling, support healing, and offer extra comfort while sitting and lying down. Their large size and easy activation make them perfect for immediate postpartum use—especially during rest and when alternating with regular maternity pads. Don’t forget to wear them in an adult diaper or loose boxer shorts for the best fit, and give yourself breaks to air out. In other words: cooling maternity pads are a real postpartum essential!
Got questions or just want to chat? Feel free to send us a message in our chat—we’re happy to help! 💬
