The quiet and undisturbed early postpartum period is so important for you because, in addition to settling in as a family, it also helps with wound healing and regeneration. Every birth leaves different marks in and/or on the woman's body. Some are visible, others are only noticeable. And yet they all need time to heal.

A vaginal birth places a lot of strain on the pelvic floor muscles, which require maximum relief and rest afterwards. Therefore, lying in bed is the best form of recovery for the first few days.

Abrasions and swelling often occur, you will probably also feel a slight soreness and a burning sensation when urinating on your first trips to the toilet.

In addition, the stretching of the coccyx can be uncomfortable in the first few days, so it is important to take it easy. Depending on the severity, perineal injuries require special attention and supportive treatment. In some cases, the strong pressure on the anus when pushing during the exit phase can also cause hemorrhoids to protrude - some women have already experienced this during pregnancy.

After an abdominal birth, the healing period is somewhat longer. Here, too, swelling and hematomas mainly occur at the existing skin suture. Your midwife will support you in the wound healing process, give you valuable treatment tips and monitor the healing process.

In general, the more severe the birth injury, the longer it takes to heal.

This can support you in your wound healing process!
Janine's midwife tips:

• Lie down, lie down, lie down. If you feel a lot of pressure on your pelvic floor, try elevating your pelvis or lying on your stomach. Avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time.

• When going to the toilet, make sure you sit in a position that protects your pelvic floor and avoid prolonged straining. A Stuul (toilet stool) for your feet can be a real game changer - even in a very basic way.

• Avoid positions that put pressure on your wounds. Depending on the severity of the perineal injuries, sitting cross-legged, for example,

• Let air get to your intimate area - feel free to stay completely naked and put a towel in bed. Otherwise, make sure you use breathable postpartum pads made of cotton without any plastic and breathable mesh panties. Make sure you also wear breathable underwear after the first few days if you no longer want to wear the mesh panties - and avoid pants that are too tight.

• The soothing rinse with the intimate shower from BIDETLITY is highly recommended. Ideally in combination with the soothing sitz bath from Bahnhof-Apotheke. The lochia is gently rinsed away and the natural ingredients of the sitz bath promote the healing of small lesions, swelling or larger birth injuries. To do this, add 1 teaspoon of the sitz bath to the intimate shower and fill the container with warm water. In the first week after birth, we recommend this rinse during or after every visit to the toilet. If you have a little more of the sitz bath than you need for yourself, you can also use it wonderfully for baby's bottom if it is a little red or inflamed.

• If your birth injury is larger, you can also use sterile compresses to make a wound dressing with the sitz bath solution from the third day onwards. To do this, prepare the solution as directed on the package and dip a sterile compress into it. You then place this directly on the wound or suture about three times a day and leave it to work for at least 30 minutes. If you like, you can also drip the sitz bath solution directly onto your bandage.

• If it feels good to you, you can take a full sitz bath from the second or third day. For this you will need a larger container or bowl that you can sit in. Decide for yourself what feels best at the time.

• The sitz bath solution can also be used to rinse the suture after a cesarean birth. To do this, simply pour it over the wound from a small cup. It is important that the small salt crystals are rinsed off thoroughly afterwards.

• Stitches do not need to be removed after perineal sutures; they dissolve on their own after a short time.

• In the early stages, cooling bandages or cool packs can be particularly pleasant and reduce swelling.

• Arnica has proven particularly effective for hematomas; depending on the injury, either ointments or compresses containing arnica are suitable.

• For hemorrhoids, cold applications and/or special ointments containing witch hazel are particularly helpful.

• After a few days, a pleasant sitz bath can also do you good, e.g. with oak bark or the popular Stadelmann sitz bath .

• After an abdominal birth, in the event of swelling and hematomas, we recommend using Immortelle Acute Spray or Retterspitz solution, of course diluted and not directly on the suture. You can also use the spray to clean the edges of the wound.

• Usually the suture material dissolves on its own or is removed by your midwife. In a few hospitals, cesarean sutures are still stapled - these are then gently and almost painlessly removed before you are discharged from the hospital.

It can also be incredibly relieving to look at your vulva area or your wounds after the birth with a mirror, if you like, together with your midwife. Often the sensations and ideas of what is injured are much greater than they actually are. This can take away your fear.

Healing takes time and self-care. Take the time for your complete regeneration; it will benefit you and your family on many levels.