There's no denying that childbirth is a huge journey for your body. Whether you had a vaginal birth or a C-section, you may experience a variety of pain and other strange sensations in many parts of your body during the recovery process, some of which may last for days, weeks, or days. Even months. While the focus is often on the baby, it's important not to overlook the needs of new mothers, especially during the postpartum period. This means giving your body (especially your lady parts or incision area) some TLC to promote healing and postpartum recovery. Thankfully, there are some simple remedies, like popsicles, that can provide much-needed relief.

What is a Postpartum Padsicle?

A postpartum padsicle is a DIY cold compress made by combining common household items such as maxi pads, aloe vera gel, witch hazel, and sometimes essential oils. These padsicles are specifically designed to provide relief and comfort to women during the postpartum period, which is the time following childbirth when the body undergoes significant physical changes and recovery.

The cold temperature of the padsicle provides immediate relief to sore and swollen areas. Postpartum padsicles are often recommended by healthcare professionals and experienced mothers as a natural and cost-effective way to manage discomfort after childbirth. They can be especially helpful for soothing soreness and reducing swelling in the perineal area, which is common after vaginal delivery.

How to Make Postpartum Padsicles?

Gather Your Supplies:

Before you start, gather all the necessary supplies. You'll need:

Maxi pads (preferably with wings for better coverage)

Aloe vera gel (natural and soothing)

Witch hazel (known for its anti-inflammatory properties)

Lavender essential oil (optional, for a calming effect)

Freezer-safe ziplock bags

Assemble Your Ingredients:

Set up a clean and spacious area to work. Make sure all surfaces are sanitized to maintain hygiene during the preparation process. Lay out your pads and open them up, but leave the adhesive backing intact. Then, gather your aloe vera gel, witch hazel, and lavender essential oil.

Add the Ingredients:

Begin by applying a generous layer of aloe vera gel onto the pad. Aloe vera is well-known for its soothing and healing properties, making it ideal for postpartum relief. Next, sprinkle witch hazel onto the pad. Witch hazel acts as a natural astringent and anti-inflammatory agent, helping to reduce swelling and discomfort. If desired, add a drop or two of lavender essential oil for its calming aroma.

Fold and Wrap:

Once you've applied the ingredients, carefully fold the pad back up, ensuring that the aloe vera gel and witch hazel are evenly distributed. Then, wrap the pad back into its original packaging or reseal the adhesive backing if it was opened.

Store in Freezer:

Place the wrapped padsicles into freezer-safe ziplock bags. Storing them in bags will prevent them from absorbing any unwanted odors from the freezer. Lay them flat in the freezer to ensure they freeze evenly and maintain their shape.

Use as Needed:

Everyone is different, and the number of popsicles you need really depends on the level of discomfort you're experiencing and how long it lasts. Generally speaking, though, many moms choose to use padsicles during the first six weeks postpartum to help relieve postpartum pain.

Just like using pads during your period, you'll need to change them about every four hours to deal with postpartum bleeding. This means you may use more than six popsicles per day. You can use 15-20 wands to help you through the first few days postpartum.

How to Use Popsicles?

Remove the popsicles from the refrigerator and let them thaw for a few minutes. This ensures that it won’t be cold when applied to your lady parts or incision area.

If you put it in your regular underwear or mesh underwear, just stick it to your underwear like a regular pad. If you have heavy bleeding after birth, you can also attach the pads to an adult diaper - these are great for absorbing excess blood.

For C-section recovery, you simply place the pad over the incision area. Leave the popsicles in your underwear or in the incision area for up to four hours, then replace with new ones.

Padsicles are a simple yet effective way to alleviate postpartum discomfort and promote healing after childbirth. By following these easy instructions and taking the time to prepare and use padsicles, you can provide yourself with the comfort and relief you deserve during this special but challenging time. As always, consult with your healthcare provider if you have any concerns or questions about postpartum recovery.