6 Must-Haves for Vaginal Birth Recovery

You made it through several long months of pregnancy, and now you’re nearly at the end patiently (or not) waiting for the arrival of your little one. You’ve got everything baby needs ready; the nursery is perfectly organized, baby’s hospital bag is packed, and the car seat is installed. But are you prepared? Sure your hospital bag is packed and ready to go. But have you thought about what you’ll need for your vaginal birth recovery? 

What do I buy? What exactly do I need? What products are safe and gentle enough for my vagina to handle after pushing out this baby??

Keep calm mama! I’ve got all the answers for you in this no-frills list of natural vaginal birth recovery essentials.

1. Kegel Exercise Weights

Both pregnancy and childbirth can weaken your pelvic floor and have things feel loose down there. How? Well, for 9 months give or take, these muscles carry the weight of your entire pregnancy. During labor, your pelvic floor and vaginal muscles need to stretch and open up to facilitate the birthing process. Your pelvic floor muscles are very important. They support your uterus, bladder, and bowels and they give you the ability to control your bladder and bowels. They also play a major role…in the bedroom. Yes, these muscles are also very necessary for healthy sexual function. 

Not strengthening your pelvic floor muscles during pregnancy or even after giving birth can cause:
– Prolonged postpartum recovery
– Lower back pain
– Decreased sensation and pleasure during sex (weak orgasms)
– Prolonged 2nd stage of labor
– Decreased bowel and bladder control and increased risk of pelvic organ prolapse

Yes. It’s that bad.

Recently I decided to give my pelvic floor muscles the TLC they deserve. After my pregnancies, I figured that they could use some more strengthening. I did some research and came across this best-selling, doctor-recommended Kegel Weight System from a company called Intimate Rose, and I decided to give them a try.

When I received them in the mail, the simple sleek, and pretty packaging had me super excited to try them out immediately. I started with the lightest weight (25g/0.9oz) and boy was I surprised at how weak my pelvic floor was! It took everything in me to hold it in. I could not believe it. This whole time I thought things were strong and tight enough down there to hold in the lightest weight!

Anyway. My pelvic floor did feel a little sore after using this weight, considering it was not accustomed to the daily workouts. However, after about a week of doing these exercises daily, I was able to move onto the next heavier weight (40g/1.4oz).

Not only do these kegel weights strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, they also strengthen the pelvic floor muscles that surround the vagina!

Amen to a stronger pelvic floor!

I’m looking forward to making it through all of the remaining weights. I find it really neat that these smooth, beautifully and thoughtfully designed weights can do something so incredible in such little time. No wonder this is the only kegel excersise program to be used in real American Physical Therapy Association training courses.

There are six purple ombre kegel weights ranging from 0.9oz-4.4oz. The goal is to work your way up. That’s one of the things I love about these weights— they’re progressive. It’s not like you start with the highest weight from day one.

And they’re super easy to use. You would insert each weight kind of like you would a tampon. The only difference is that you have to engage your pelvic floor muscles to hold in the weight so it doesn’t fall out. The weights have no openings so bacteria can’t seep into them and they’re easy to wash. They also come with a pretty velvet bag for storage.

Make sure to add this Kegel Weight System to your list of vaginal birth recovery essentials! Whether you’re a new mom or a veteran mom, having strong pelvic floor muscles is important and contributes to:
– Optimal pregnancy and a faster 2nd stage of labor (use them during pregnancy to prepare your body for childbirth)
– Faster postpartum recovery
– having better control over your bowels and bladder (bye bye peeing while sneezing!)
– amazing sex (increased sensation and stronger orgasms)

And much more!

You can purchase your set of weights now and wait until after you’ve been officially cleared (usually about 6 weeks from the birth) to use them.

2. Peri Bottle

Whether or not you experienced tearing during childbirth, chances are your vagina will be sore and slightly irritated after birth. Even without an episiotomy or severe tearing, the passage of a baby through the birth canal and powerful contractions may cause micro-tears at the opening of the vagina that makes things down there sting and feel sore.

This peri bottle is a bit like the one hospitals give out—except it’s better because it’s designed to be held upside down so it can easily reach those hard-to-reach areas thanks to its narrow angled neck! Want to avoid feeling the burn during your first postpartum pee?

Consider adding this to your vaginal birth recovery essentials list! Whenever you go to the bathroom, simply fill this bottle with water at the temperature of your choice and allow the water to cleanse and soothe your vagina.

3. Maternity Pads

Regardless of how you’ve given birth, you’re going to experience postpartum vaginal bleeding. Not only do conventional pads often contain chemicals (some of which have been found to be hormone disruptors), it has been found that they can take hundreds of years to biodegrade. They are filling up our landfills!

That’s why I love the pads and tampons made by Natracare. Their products which range from menstrual care to postpartum care products are made from sustainable materials that are 100% fragrance-free, plastic free, biodegradable, compostable, and organic.

The cover of their maternity pads cover is made with 100% organic cotton, which is why they’re super breathable (which is important for healing) and super soft and comfortable. Your vagina is a gateway to the rest of your body, it’s so important that you pay attention to the products that you use during your vaginal birth recovery.

You can also use these to make amazing padsicles for your postpartum recovery.

4. Herbal Sitz Bath Mix

A sitz bath is a powerful healing protocol that midwives recommend that will help you recover sooner. This shallow bath for your bottom is generally safe to be taken a couple of times a day.

If you’re DIYer, simply mix together epsom salt, alcohol and fragrance-free witch hazel, fractionated coconut oil or organic olive oil, lavender and tea tree essential oils.

If you’d rather have it ready-made, no problem. These organic herbal sitz bath baggies should do the trick!

5. Herbal Perineal Spray

This toxin-free perineal spray contains a blend of witch hazel, extracts, and oils that have soothing, cooling, and, more importantly, healing properties. The ingredients are simple and clean, and do not contain any irritants that would prolong your postpartum recovery. This powerful and yet gentle herbal spray is said to relieve pain, itchiness, and according to some moms, it even helps relieve discomfort from hemorrhoids which can pop up during pregnancy.

6. Organic Perineal Balm

Both pregnancy and childbirth especially can wreak havoc on your perineum. Your perineum is the flesh that’s between your vagina and anus. The weight of your growing body and baby put a lot of pressure on the perineum often making it feel sore during pregnancy. During childbirth, it needs to stretch to make way for baby! This stretching can cause pain postpartum ranging from mild irritation to more intense pain (sometimes from healing stitches if there is significant tearing).

This organic perineal balm contains oils and extracts that have healing properties and is said to soothe, cool (thanks to peppermint leaf oil), and provide much-relief relief. Some moms even report getting relief from painful and itchy hemorrhoids which can develop during pregnancy and also after childbirth.

I hope you enjoyed this post!