Giving birth can be an intense experience. Pushing a baby into the world can put a lot of strain on your pelvic floor and your vaginal area. As a result, the vulvar/vaginal area can be quite swollen and sensitive during recovery. Between stitches, swelling, and bruising, it’s no surprise that you would try and get some relief for the land down under. Enter: Padsicles.
What is a Padsicle?
Padsicles (short for pad and icicle) are a homemade, frozen icicle used to reduce pain and swelling in your vaginal area. The hospital may give you an ice pack to slide into your underwear after birth, a padsicle is very similar to that. The biggest difference between the ones at the hospital and the ones you make are that homemade padsicles contain natural ingredients that help speed up the healing process.
You can purchase something like a padsicle online, but they can be pricey. Many people prefer to make them themselves and save a few dollars.
There’s no rule that says you have to make them before your baby comes. But with newborn life being a little crazy, it’s probably a good idea.
If you are unable to prepare them before your baby comes, that’s ok! They only take a few hours to make and chill in the freezer before they’re ready to go!
How to Make Padsicles
Padsicles are made using only a few basic items which you may already have on hand.
You will need :
- A spoon
- Unscented overnight pads
- Fresh or 100% pure unscented aloe vera gel
- (Optional) 100% pure lavender essential oil
Assembly:
Open your pad and lay it flat on the counter. Do not remove it from its packaging, we will use the packaging in a moment.
Remove the adhesive paper tabs from the pad.
Using the spoon, spread the aloe vera gel generously all over your pad.
Next, spray or pour the witch hazel all over the pad.
Lastly, if you are using lavender oil, add 1 to 2 drops at the top and in the center.
Gently fold the pad back up, sealing it closed with its original outer packaging.
Place them flat into a gallon sized baggie and freeze for at least two hours before using.
I prefer to make at least 8 to 10 pads all at once so that I have enough to last for a few days after giving birth.
How to Use Your Padsicles
(This is my preferred method, any way you choose to use these is great!)
When you’re ready to use a padsicle, take it out of the freezer and unwrap it carefully.
Leave it out for a few minutes so you don’t freeze yourself by applying it immediately to your body.
I have found that the easiest way to use a padsicle is to lay them inside of an adult diaper. This allows for you to wear them as often as you’d like as well as for you to wear them as long as you’d like. You don’t really have to worry about leakage when using an adult diaper along side the padsicles.
Simply place the padsicle in the adult diaper, just as you would place a regular pad inside a pair of underwear. Use that pad until the coolness wears off.
You can also use the pad sickles in your regular underwear, simply place it like a regular pad. Just keep in mind that as the padsicle thaws, it may leak. It’s not a big deal, just something to keep in mind.
Some doctors and midwives would recommend that you swap out a padsicle for a regular pad instead of using them back to back. Staggering them back and forth, use the padsicle and then a regular pad and then a padsicle, and so on. This allows for optimal blood flow to your vaginal area which can stimulate quicker healing. I think that’s up to you, everyone is different. Do what feels best! Some people prefer to have ice constantly while others enjoy it every now and then.
Finally
Whenever you decide to make padsicles, whether that be before your baby comes or after, they are an excellent way to find some relief after birth!
Here’s a link to buy some online if you would rather not make them. Either way, I hope they are a great help to you as you recover postpartum.
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