Post Delivery Hygiene

So you have now overcome the most physically painful part of parenthood – the delivery. Whether you have had a normal vaginal birth or you have undergone a caesarean, in both cases, the pain involved is something you will remember for the rest of your lives.

While all the fuss is made about the newborn, you have to remember that as the mother you too are entitled to a great deal of fussing. The period immediately after childbirth can be a very sensitive one, since your body has been to hell and back. Besides a strict diet and good rest, personal hygiene too is a very important factor is regaining your health. Ample attention has to be paid to this aspect of your recovery. Any illness that you may have now, may prevent you from nursing your baby, if you are put on some heavy duty medication.

Postpartum hygiene covers the care of your breasts and also the stitches you may have received in a caesarean or an episiotomy. In the case of your stitches, keeping the affected area clean at all times is of utmost importance. This will prevent you from getting an infection. The best way you can do this in the case of a perineal tear or an episiotomy is to follow every visit to the restroom with washing the area in copious amounts of water.

In the hospital, you would have been given a squirt bottle. Take this home with you and fill it with warm water for you to use after urinating or having a bowel movement. Once you have washed the affected area, remember to pat it dry and not rub it down. Also use the portable sitz bath that you would be given, for the pain as well as for keeping the affected areas clean.

Vaginal bleeding and discharge will generally reduce in a few weeks. But you might have intermittent bleeding for around a month or six weeks. Use pads or panty liners as you find comfortable. Some seasoned mothers use cloth menstrual products for comfort sake. Tampons are an absolute taboo. When cleaning your private parts always remember to clean them from front to back and not vice-versa. This will greatly reduce the migration of germs.

While you are allowed to have a tub bath, remember that in the case of a caesarean section, stitches are not to be immersed in water for around 10 days. If you are having issues with hemorrhoids or extremely sensitive breasts, talk to your doctor and seek relief.