Giving birth is an incredible achievement, but it often comes with discomfort during the recovery period. Proper care for your vaginal area in the postpartum week is essential for healing and for preventing infections or complications.
Rinsing, cooling, and airing are three simple yet powerful ways to boost your recovery. They increase comfort, improve hygiene, and help your body heal naturally. Here’s why they work so well—and how to easily add them to your postpartum routine during your first week after birth.
1. Rinsing your vaginal area after birth: Keeping it clean
Rinsing—gently washing the vaginal area with lukewarm water—is essential for maintaining hygiene and preventing infections.
Why rinsing after urination helps in the first days postpartum
Rinsing has several benefits:
- Prevents infections: After childbirth, there is an increased risk of infection due to the presence of wounds and exposure to bacteria. Flushing helps to keep the area clean, reducing the chances of bacterial growth and infection.
- Removes residue(e.g. blood clots or placenta fragments): Rinsing aids in removing blood, tissue, and other postpartum discharge, preventing irritation and promoting healing.
- Gentle cleansing: Using lukewarm water or chamomile tea is much gentler on sensitive postpartum skin than soap, which can irritate and dry it out.
How to rinse your vaginal area after childbirth
- Use a peri bottle filled with warm water to gently rinse the vaginal area after using the toilet.
- Always direct the water flow from front to back to avoid introducing bacteria from the rectal area.
- Pat dry with clean, soft toilet paper or a towel.
- Focus on rinsing mainly during the first 1–3 days after birth, especially if you are bleeding heavily.
Tip: If you have stitches or a tear, urinating can sting as the urine passes over sensitive tissue. In this case, use your peri bottle during urination as well as after. Spraying lukewarm water (or chamomile tea) directly onto the stitches or tear dilutes the urine, making it less likely to sting, and removes the burning feeling.
2. Cooling your vaginal area after birth: Reducing swelling and pain
After a vaginal delivery, the area is often sore, swollen, and sensitive. Whether you have stitches or not, the tissues have gone through a lot—and even sitting or lying down can feel uncomfortable. That’s where cooling comes in.
Cooling is widely recommended by midwives and postpartum nurses to ease discomfort and speed up recovery. It offers immediate relief from the pain and swelling that often follow birth.
Why cooling helps postpartum recovery
- Reduces swelling: Cooling eases inflammation in the tissues.
- Numbs pain: The cold sensation offers instant relief from soreness and tenderness.
- Soothes irritation: Helps reduce itching and general discomfort.
How to cool your vaginal area after birth
- Use Cool Couchie Pads—maternity pads with a built-in cooling mechanism. They don’t need to be kept in the freezer, so they’re ready to use right away. They’re extra soft (no rock-hard frozen pads here!) and have high absorbency thanks to their thickness.
- Activate the cooling effect in just a few seconds, then place the pad in your comfy underwear (skip the thongs and those hospital mesh panties for this one).
- Cool 2–4 times per day in the first few postpartum days, depending on your level of discomfort.
- Never use multiple cooling pads back-to-back—alternate with regular maternity pads or air-drying (see below).
3. Airing your vaginal area after birth: Supporting natural healing
Airing (or air-drying) is an often-overlooked but highly effective method for promoting vaginal healing. It simply means lying down without underwear or pants so the area is exposed to fresh air—using a mattress protector underneath to catch any bleeding.
It’s helpful to do this 2–3 times per day for at least 15 minutes during the first 1–3 days postpartum.
Why airing your vaginal area after birth helps postpartum healing
Air-drying is an often overlooked but highly effective method for promoting vaginal healing. Here's why it's beneficial:
- Prevents moisture build-up: Keeping the area dry makes it harder for bacteria and yeast (which thrive in moist environments) to grow and cause infections.
- Speeds up healing: Exposing the area to air promotes natural healing processes and can speed up recovery.
How to air-dry your vaginal area after birth
- Lie down with your legs slightly apart to encourage airflow.
- Place a mattress protector underneath to catch any bleeding.
- Aim for 15–30 minutes at a time, 2–3 times per day, while lying on the bed or couch.
How to make rinsing, cooling, and air-drying part of your daily routine
Incorporating these three simple steps into your postpartum care routine can make a big difference to your recovery:
- Rinse: Use your peri bottle after every toilet visit to gently cleanse the area.
- Cool: Use a Cool Couchie Pad right after your first shower postpartum—it works wonders. After that, use the Cool Couchie pads 2 to 4 times a day, while resting. Many women love using them before bed for extra comfort. Alternate between cooling pads and regular maternity pads. In most cases, 10 pads are enough to have on hand. Remember to change to a clean pad after each toilet visit.
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Air: Whenever possible, spend 15 minutes air-drying for 2-3 times a day.
Additionally, ensure you maintain overall hygiene, stay hydrated, and follow any specific instructions from your healthcare provider. By taking these steps, you can promote healing and comfort during the postpartum period, which you oh-so deserve!
Being gentle with your body during the postpartum week is essential. Rinsing with a peri bottle, cooling with Cool Couchie Pads, and airing without underwear are three simple steps that can make a huge difference to your comfort and healing. Treat this self-care routine as a priority—you’ve earned it.
For more recovery tips, check out our blog on the 555 postpartum recovery rule—perfect for your first week after birth, and a great read to share with your partner so they can help make your recovery as comfortable as possible.