Bringing a baby into the world is tough work, and it’s not easy on your body! Once you’re home, all your attention goes to your new little love, and it’s easy to overlook your own postpartum care at home.
It takes about six weeks for your body to heal after a vaginal birth, and many cultures around the world encourage new moms to rest for 30-40 days. In the United States, we’re often encouraged (and sometimes pressured) to get up and out of the house right away. Whether you have lots of help or you’re mostly on your own, don’t forget about YOU!
In addition to everything listed below, keep a big jug of water with you at all times. You’ll need to stay hydrated, especially if you are nursing. These are the postpartum recovery essentials I relied on after my vaginal births. Most of them work for c-section recovery too.
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Quick List: Postpartum Recovery Essentials
- Disposable mesh underwear: soft, stretchy, and worth stocking up on
- Perineal spray: soothes tears, stitches, and hemorrhoids
- Thin, absorbent pads: for weeks of postpartum bleeding
- Witch hazel cooling pads: cooling relief for swelling
- Peri bottle: makes peeing and cleaning up less painful
- Stool softener: for that first scary trip to the bathroom
- Perineal ice packs: for swelling in the first few days
- Freezer meals: so nobody has to cook
- Belly bandit: gentle support while your belly heals
1. Disposable Mesh Underwear
Your nurses will give you amazingly comfortable magical mesh underwear at the hospital. They are boy-shorts so they hold the ginormous diaper-like pads in place. And if you bleed onto them, it’s okay because these are disposable! Whether you have a vaginal delivery or a cesarean, everyone agrees that these are wonderful! Take as many home as you can fit in your bag! The second time around, I took several more from the hospital before I headed home. When I got home I bought extras on Amazon.
• frida mom 8 pack • pack of 5 •
2. Perineal Spray
The hospital gave me a generic bottle of lidocaine spray after my second delivery. I bought this spray online when I got home since it is made with safe natural ingredients. If you had an episiotomy or vaginal tear, the wound might hurt for a few weeks (or more, or less… it varies so much for each person and each delivery). This will help relieve the pain associated with tears and hemorrhoids that are common from all the pushing.
3. Postpartum Pads
The hospital will give you really thick, terrible pads. You’ll need them the first few days, but eventually, you’ll want to wear leggings and feel like a somewhat normal human being again (who is still healing “down there”). A friend recommended these and they are AMAZING! They’re so thin and absorbent, they don’t even feel like pads. Get the supers/heavies/overnights for when you’re first recovering, and then the regular ones for later. If you have a vaginal birth, you’ll probably have heavy bleeding for 1-3 weeks, and then light bleeding or spotting will typically continue until 4-6 weeks post-delivery. If you have a cesarean birth, you won’t bleed for quite as long, but you still will bleed and you will need pads at home.
4. Witch Hazel Cooling Pads
5. Peri Bottle
6. Stool Softener
You will need this. Trust me. The first time you have to go #2 post-delivery is terrifying! A stool softener will help ease that fear and discomfort. This is particularly important if you have a vaginal birth with any tearing.
7. Perineal Ice Packs
How many you need will depend on your personal delivery story. The first time around, the ice packs supplied by the hospital lasted me a day or two after I got home and that was sufficient for me. The second time, I had to purchase more to have for another week at home. And the third time, I didn’t use any once I left the hospital. You can just use what the hospital provides, stock up on extra ice packs, or get these maxi pads with built-in cold therapy. The one downside of the perineal ice packs is that they won’t absorb blood. So if you are still bleeding a lot, you may want to consider turning a baby diaper or thick maxi pad into an ice pack.
8. Freezer Meals
This is, perhaps, the most important one! Hopefully, you will have some friends and family bring you food because convenient meals are one of the best gifts to a new mom. If possible, I recommend trying to fill up your freezer in the weeks or months before the baby’s expected arrival. Freeze them in a variety of portions since sometimes you will just want lunch for you. Breakfast and snacks are good to have ready as well. If you are breastfeeding, make some lactation cookies as well. I have a FoodSaver vacuum and it is the best thing ever! There are many different models.
9. Belly Bandit
I didn’t get a belly bandit, and I regret it! Lots of moms love the gentle support while their belly heals.
More Postpartum Recovery Helpers
The items above help almost everyone recovering from a vaginal delivery. A few more things many moms find helpful:
• Sitz Bath ∙∙∙ Your hospital may provide you with one to bring home. A sitz bath is a small tub that sits on top of your toilet. You can comfortably sit on top and soak in warm water to help the healing process down there. Epsom salts are commonly added to the warm water. Some people add essential oils as well. Use caution when adding essential oils, and check with your doctor to see which ones are safe for your specific situation. Your need for this will totally depend on your specific delivery.
• Inflatable Donut ∙∙∙ Wait to purchase this only if you need it. Some people need it, but many others will never use it.
• Breast Gel Pads ∙∙∙ Whether or not you are nursing, your breasts will be sore at first. If you are breastfeeding, check out this list of breastfeeding essentials.
• Water Bottle ∙∙∙ Hydrate! This is especially important if you are nursing.
• Safe Skincare for Self-Care ∙∙∙ Some favorites that felt like a nice treat postpartum: Countertime Mineral Boost Hydrating Essence and Charcoal Facial Mask. They’re made without a lot of the questionable ingredients found in many conventional beauty products.
• Leggings ∙∙∙ If you are nursing, I love these nursing leggings. They are highwaist and conceal your belly if you lift up your shirt to nurse. They provide a gentle and soft support. If you want something with a bit more compression to keep your belly feeling supported, look for high-waist postpartum leggings (for comfort, not because you need to hide anything!).
How to Make a Postpartum Bathroom Basket
I found it helpful to have a little postpartum basket in our two bathrooms. Each basket included the items I needed every time I used the bathroom. A basket with a lid helps keep it a little more discreet if guests will also be using that bathroom.
Build your own postpartum care kit, or buy a ready-made postpartum recovery kit that has many of the essentials in one box.
Postpartum Care at Home FAQs
After a vaginal birth, expect heavy bleeding for about 1-3 weeks, then lighter bleeding or spotting until around 4-6 weeks. Bleeding after a c-section is usually a bit shorter. Call your doctor if you soak through a pad in an hour or pass large clots.
The basics are mesh underwear, heavy pads, a peri bottle, perineal spray, witch hazel pads, ice packs, a stool softener, and easy meals. Check the quick list at the top of this post.
Most moms use one for about 1-3 weeks after a vaginal birth, and longer if you had stitches.
Most of them, yes. You’ll still bleed and need pads, mesh underwear, and a stool softener. You may not need the perineal spray, witch hazel pads, or ice packs.
I’m a mom sharing what worked for me, not a medical professional. Always follow your doctor or midwife’s advice for your recovery.
More Lists for New Moms
Getting ready for baby? Check out my hospital bag checklist, breastfeeding essentials, and how to set up a breastfeeding basket.
Hospital Bag Essentials
Breastfeeding Essentials
