A calm, undisturbed early postpartum period matters so much because — alongside settling in as a family — it's the time for wound healing and recovery. Every birth leaves its own marks in and on a woman's body. Some are visible, others only felt. And all of them need time to heal.

A calm, undisturbed early postpartum period matters so much because — alongside settling in as a family — it serves wound healing and recovery. Every birth leaves its own marks in and on a woman's body. Some are visible, others only felt. And all of them need time to heal.

After a vaginal birth

A vaginal birth stretches and strains the pelvic floor muscles heavily, and afterwards they need maximum rest and relief. So in the first few days, lying in bed is the best form of recovery.

Common complaints include:

• Grazes and swelling in the intimate area
• A mild raw, tender feeling
• Burning when you pee
• Uncomfortable stretching of the tailbone
• Perineal injuries of varying severity
• Possible haemorrhoids from heavy straining while pushing

After a caesarean

After an abdominal birth the healing period is a little longer. Here too, the main issues are:

• Swelling and bruising around the skin suture
• Tightness and pain in the wound area
• Limited mobility

Your midwife will support your wound healing, give you valuable treatment tips and keep an eye on how it heals.

As a rule: the more severe the birth injury, the longer it needs to heal.

Intimate shower for gentle cleansing

We especially recommend a soothing rinse with the intimate shower, ideally combined with the soothing sitz bath from Bahnhof-Apotheke. It gently rinses away the lochia, and the natural ingredients of the sitz bath support the healing of smaller lesions, swelling or larger birth injuries.

How to use: Add 1 tsp of the sitz bath to the intimate shower and top up the container with warm water. In the first week after birth we recommend this rinse during or after every trip to the toilet. And by the way: the sitz bath solution also works beautifully on baby's bottom whenever it's a little red or sore.

Wound dressings for larger injuries

If your birth injury is larger, from day three you can also make a wound dressing with the sitz bath solution using sterile compresses. Mix the solution as directed on the pack and dip a sterile compress into it. Place this directly on the wound or suture about three times a day and leave it on for at least 30 minutes. If you like, you can also drip the sitz bath solution straight onto your pad.

A full sitz bath

If it feels good, from day two or three you can take a full sitz bath. For this you'll need a larger vessel or a bowl you can sit in. Go with whatever feels best right now.

Special care after a caesarean

• Scar care: After an abdominal birth too, the sitz bath solution can be used to rinse the suture. Just let it run over the wound from a small cup. It's important to rinse off the little salt crystals well afterwards.
  
  
• Suture care: Usually the suture material dissolves on its own or is removed by your midwife. In a few clinics caesarean sutures are still stapled — these are then removed gently and almost painlessly before you leave hospital.

Extra healing helpers

1. Cooling for swelling: Early on, cooling pads or cool packs can feel especially pleasant and reduce swelling.
2. Arnica for bruises: Arnica has proven particularly good for bruising; depending on the injury, either arnica ointments or compresses work well.
3. Witch hazel for haemorrhoids: For haemorrhoids, cold applications and/or special witch hazel ointments help most.
4. Healing baths: After a few days a pleasant sitz bath can do you good too — for example with oak bark or the popular Stadelmann sitz bath.
5. Special sprays: After an abdominal birth, and for swelling and bruising, the Immortelle acute spray is worth recommending, or Retterspitz solution — diluted, of course, and not directly on the suture. The spray is also ideal for cleaning the wound edges.

It can also be endlessly reassuring to look at your vulva or your wounds after birth yourself with a mirror — together with your midwife too, if you like. Often the sensations and the picture in your head of what's injured are far bigger than the reality. That can take the fear away.

A toilet stool can be a real game-changer in the time after birth. Since the pelvic floor is under heavy strain after delivery, unnecessary pressure on the toilet should be avoided.

Benefits of a toilet stool:

• Better posture: The raised squat position with a toilet stool improves bowel emptying by optimising the natural angle of the rectum.
• Less straining needed: This reduces the need to push, which matters especially so you don't put extra strain on perineal injuries, haemorrhoids or caesarean scars.
• Less fear of pain: Many women suffer from constipation after birth, or dread the first bowel movement because they fear pain or pressure on their birth injuries.
• A more relaxed movement: A toilet stool can offer gentle relief here, as it allows a more relaxed posture and makes going easier.

Protecting the pelvic floor: The optimised position protects the pelvic floor and supports healing.

Healing takes time and self-care. Give yourself the time to recover fully — it will do lasting good for you, and for your family, on so many levels.

How long does healing take after a vaginal birth?

With minor injuries, healing can take about 1–2 weeks; with perineal cuts or tears, 2–4 weeks. Full recovery of the pelvic floor, though, can take several months.

When can I sit normally again after a caesarean?

In the first few days it's important to avoid pressure on the scar. After about 1–2 weeks sitting becomes more comfortable, but the scar takes 6–8 weeks to heal fully.

Can I use a butt shower straight after birth?

Yes, a butt shower can be used right after birth. Use a gentle jet and lukewarm water. Especially in the first days, when the intimate area is very sensitive, touch-free cleansing is a big plus.

When should I seek medical help with wound healing?

See your midwife or doctor if you have persistent severe pain, fever, foul-smelling discharge, rapidly increasing swelling, or if the wound opens.