Postpartum Care for Our Most
Delicate
& Tough Body Part!
Our bodies were made to give birth. It’s
natural, it’s miraculous, and when we allow it to…it just happens.
But that doesn’t mean that we emerge from the experience unscathed. Let’s face it—though breastfeeding and
childbirth are the major role of our nipples and yoni[1]—those
delicate parts (and others) take a bit of a beating in childbirth and the early
days postpartum!
Let’s start at the beginning. How do you
respond to change—even if it’s temporary? If you are a person who, for example,
cries if you get a haircut that is unlike your usual haircut, it’s probably
wise not to look at your yoni the
first few days postpartum. Better to
keep your eyes focused on your beautiful baby!
For anyone else…
The yoni has just completed one of the most
amazing jobs on the planet, and it shows. It will look different. Many women are unaware of how different it
will look in the first days postpartum and
are unpleasantly surprised by it. (If I hadn’t read a book when 8 months pregnant that discussed this issue, I would have been surprised or even concerned by the appearance. Even knowing what to expect, I did groan a little at first glance.)
are unpleasantly surprised by it. (If I hadn’t read a book when 8 months pregnant that discussed this issue, I would have been surprised or even concerned by the appearance. Even knowing what to expect, I did groan a little at first glance.)
Many women do look—some out of biological or
personal curiosity, and some out of concern to see “what’s going on down
there.” Because you can feel a change in
the structure (it’s swollen and perhaps torn and/or sutured), it’s normal to
want to check it out.
Knowing that this change in appearance is 100%
normal and that our yoni does return to its original look, feel free to use the
mirror—worry free!
The
Feel
As much as it looks different, it feels
different. Words a woman would likely
use to describe the feeling are “big,” “swollen,” or “open.” And it is!
Our yoni has just experienced the greatest expansion—by far—that it ever
will, and it will require time to return to its original state. I’ve read in many sources that the timeframe
for a return to “normal” is approximately six weeks.
In my case, there was certainly a substantial
improvement in six weeks—but back to normal?
That took much longer and from my own research, that is the case for
many women. (Many women will always feel a little “loser” or “more open,” but
nothing like the first few days and weeks postpartum.)
With micro-tears that didn’t require
suturing—and certainly with more serious tears, episiotomies and sutures—we
will feel a slight-to-strong burning sensation while urinating for the first several
days postpartum.
Bowel movements—they’re not going to tickle the
first few days. Again, this is normal. The key here is to remember the peri-bottle
with the warm sitz bath brew (more info below), and to breathe. (For those with
serious tears, consult with your care provider for more tips in this regard.)
The
Lochia
For the first few days postpartum you will have
a discharge called “lochia”—a heavy flow of bright red blood (and mucus and
tissue) that tapers off, changes from red and brown to yellow, and usually
stops about six weeks postpartum. Some
small clots or “gushes” as you stand up after sitting for long periods are
normal.[2] However, it is wise to discuss this with your
childbirth practitioner so you know what to expect, what would be considered
abnormal, and what steps to take if it is.
The
Bliss
Here are a few tips for supporting your yoni in
feeling better while it continues its miraculous work, and heals and
rejuvenates.
1.
Legs Together
This is a tip I received from my doula (who was
also a midwife in training) that I’d
never heard from any other source. It was easy and made a lot of sense.
Again, whether we have micro-tears or serious
tears and sutures, it’s not ideal to lie or sleep with our legs sprawled
open. While at any other time in our
lives we may lie on our back with one leg straight out and the other leg bent
and the foot resting against the straight leg’s calf or knee (picture a yoga
tree-pose, but lying down), it’s better to avoid this position postpartum. If possible, keep both legs straight and
comfortably close together so the yoni isn’t being “pulled open.”
2. Sitz Baths
You only have to urinate one time postpartum
without your sitz peri-bottle to recognize the benefits of sitz!
There are many recipes for sitz baths, and they
can be modified and adjusted. You can find recipes in books and online, or
ideally inquire with a natural childbirth practitioner. Essentially, they are a
blend of plants and flowers (there are western and eastern blends) that you
brew into a “tea.” You then sit in a warm bath with your sitz brew (there are
special tubs that fit on the toilet for this purpose) or add the sitz to warm
water, pour into a peri-bottle, and spray or pour gently as you urinate.
Here are a few recipes for you to consider:
A western blend I used: Equal parts: calendula flowers, chamomile
flowers, marshmallow, rosemary, uva ursi, comfrey, shepherd’s purse; a sprinkle
of lavender flowers and rose petals; and a dash of sea salt.
Dr. Jessica Chen, TCM fertility specialist and
co-author of Sitting Moon: A Guide to Natural
Rejuvenation After Pregnancy, shared this recipe:[3]
“There are different types of herbal formula
you can use for postpartum sitz bath depending on the symptoms that the mother
is experiencing. The common ones you can use are herbs that help promote
healing, reduce inflammation, relieve soreness and stop bleeding. A basic formula
can consist of: bletilla, agrimony, sophora root, white peony root and
astragalus.” [4]
No matter what recipe you choose, forget little bags of
store-bought, pre-made powder that you pour into boiling water. You’ll want to
use whole, fresh herbs—and when possible, organic herbs—in this preparation.
Sitz with ice packs?
When pregnant I read that it’s helpful, to reduce swelling and discomfort, to soak maternity or menstrual pads in your sitz formula, freeze them, and to use as ice packs immediately postpartum. (When writing this article, I found several more online sources—including major medical websites—offering this guidance.)
When pregnant I read that it’s helpful, to reduce swelling and discomfort, to soak maternity or menstrual pads in your sitz formula, freeze them, and to use as ice packs immediately postpartum. (When writing this article, I found several more online sources—including major medical websites—offering this guidance.)
Ignoring what I knew about TCM and Ayurveda
admonishments against anything iced or cold postpartum, I did use frozen
pads. Admittedly, they offered some
relief and I even wrote about this technique in my book, New Mother. However, “icing”
the yoni immediately postpartum probably delayed the natural healing process
and I wouldn’t repeat it.
I asked Dr. Chen about the subject of anything
cold or iced postpartum. She confirmed
that it’s better to avoid using cold-packs and added, “It is best to use
Chinese herbal oils, ointments, powder or sitz baths that help reduce swelling
and promote healing after giving birth. Warm sitz bath or squirt bottles with
herbs in them can be used within an hour of delivery and once a day after labor
for a week. Keep in mind not to put any oil, ointments or powder inside your
vagina. One needs to be very careful with causing any infections.”[5]
The information behind the Ayurveda and TCM
precept to avoid cold and ice postpartum could fill volumes, but in a sentence,
the reason is this:
Circulation =
health & healing, and cold restricts circulation
3) Maternity Pads
Avoid tampons postpartum—use pads. Though they can be difficult to find other
than online, maternity pads with tabs worn with sanitary briefs offer the most comfort one can expect at this time.
Why not tampons?
Many who study natural health hesitate to use
tampons at any time because of the various health risks.[6]
However, with an internal wound (where the placenta was attached to the uterine
wall) and tears, the risk of infection increases. The general rule one finds in literature is
that if you use tampons, you can begin using them again after six weeks
postpartum with the next period, after consulting with a care provider. (I never
use tampons, so six weeks seems too soon to me; but that’s a personal choice
that would ideally be made with support from a trusted source.)
Why maternity pads with tabs and sanitary briefs? Regular pads have adhesive on the
back. Now, it’s time for us to get intimate—as if we weren’t already.
The last thing we need postpartum is maxi-pad
adhesive sticking to and pulling on our pubic hair, and panties with tight
elastic wrapped around our legs and swollen groin! Maternity pads with tabs
have no adhesive, and the briefs don’t have tight elastic (picture light, airy,
stretchy boxers that gently hold the pad in place.)
There may be others, but the best source I know to purchase
maternity pads with tabs and sanitary briefs is online from a company called
Cascade Healthcare Products.[7]
Sexual
Bliss
Of
course a question on almost anyone’s mind during the pregnancy or immediately
postpartum is: when can I enjoy sex again after childbirth (or sometimes the
question is more like, will I ever enjoy sex again?).
The
answer to this question—no matter what any doctor or professional says—is
always between the mother and her partner.
The most common advice is that after 6 weeks or so, it’s safe to have
intercourse.
I’ve
heard of some women having sex within a few weeks while some people take
several months before the desire returns and it feels right.
Ayurveda,
TCM, and other schools of natural medicine offer natural therapies that help
the postpartum body/mind rejuvenate, and with that, the sexual desire and
smooth functioning return. Even without
support, it usually returns! However,
there are situations where a woman will need support to return to states of
bliss in the bedroom, and fortunately it is commonly available.
Even
when you have healed and feel the desire, you will likely experience dryness. Lubricants
help the cause, but research to find the one best for you.
The
best advice I ever heard on this subject was from my husband. When we discussed this subject, his answer
about the ideal time to return to our sex life was,
“When
mama feels like it.”
Bless
him.
Even More Bliss
The
subject of postpartum care (which entails care for the entire family) goes far
beyond the first few weeks and involves the mother—mind and body—head to toe! I
hope this brief list of ways to care for the yoni inspires you to explore the
other modern and traditional practices to support your healing, bonding, and
growth in this magical time of life!
Her articles have appeared in:
• The Well Being Journal
• The Holistic Networker
• The Birthing Site
• Natural Mother Magazine
• MidwiferyToday
Her published titles are: New Mother, Free Love & Go, Jane!
Website: www.alliechee.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/AllieChee
NEW MOTHER on Amazon
[1]
For those unfamiliar with the term, a definition:
Yoni
(Sanskrit:
योनि yoni)
is the Sanskrit
word for the vagina. It is also the
divine passage, womb or sacred temple (cf. lila). Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoni
7/20/13
People who choose this word rather than “vagina” or
“vulva” often do so—not because of discomfort with the other terms—but
because they wish to refer to the birth passage with a term that includes the
sacred nature (rather than just the mechanical nature) of this magnificent
body part!
|
[3]
These herbs can be found in Chinese herb shops, online, or from a Chinese
herbalist / TCM practitioner.
[4] From
an email exchange with Dr. Jessica Chen, 6/12/13
[5]
Ibid
[6]
The FDA has a site that refutes many of the purported risks with tampon use
(not postpartum—with use at any other time). http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/AlertsandNotices/PatientAlerts/ucm070003.htm
6/12/13
However, there are health concerns not addressed on
the FDA page. For example, in the discussion here: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/01/23/dangers-of-feminine-hygiene-products-every-woman-should-know.aspx
7/5/13
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