BTDT moms: witch hazel maxi pads?

tokenhoser · March 2011

My doula mentioned freezing some pads with witch hazel on them in advance of the birth to soothe my war-torn girly parts. Anyone do this last time? Tips, tricks, lessons? How does it work to wear a pad that already has witch hazel on it when I assume I need the pad for it's intended absorbent purpose? Or do I just put a little witch hazel so there's lots of absorbency left? Or should I go with the witch hazel pantyliners approach and layer it up?

Gina418 · March 2011

I did this the 1st time around for the hemis I developed while pushing. They were WONDERFUL!!! I didn't freeze them though - just put them in the fridge.

ETA: Oops - read this post wrong. I didn't use maxi pads with witch hazel in them - I used witch hazel pads.

Lisa Frank · March 2011

I didn't use witch hazel pads, but I did freeze some with just water in them. At the hospital, they do that with baby diapers and use those instead (or at mine they did). Since you will be freezing them, the frozen properties won't last long and you will be changing often enough that the bleeding shouldn't be too much of an issue. I don't remember it being an issue for me.

crunchyNMmama · March 2011

I have witch hazel pads in the freezer right now and I have a package of depends to wear them with! My midwife said that is one on the easiest ways to feel better and still be able to get up and not feel like you are leaking everywhere. I am having a homebirth, so I don't need to lug this stuff with me anywhere, but I have it ready to go. My mom said she used the same type of system after having my sister and I.

mari_gold · March 2011

My hospital had these underwear inserts that you "snapped" and activated a cold gel in them. They were AWESOME. They gave me witch hazel pads to use, too, but I never really noticed a huge benefit to them. I had a super easy recovery though -- the nurse had to keep reminding me to take Motrin because I was supposed to be in pain.

3PupsAndABaby · March 2011

it could be all on each hospital but i know mine gave you this pad that you "broke" and it turned cold, they gave you lidacaine to put on the pad as well and witch hazel pads to wipe yourself. the combo of the 3 really helped. When I got home, i put tucks in the fridge and that was some relief as well. see if you can get a donut or egg crate to sit on. it's excruciating :-/

tokenhoser · March 2011

I'm talking about at home. I have no intention of somehow bringing this to the hospital! I'm sure they'll take care of me there, but in case we don't stay long (seriously, the overflow rooms have 4 patients in them, and if I end up there, I am leaving ASAP) or I'm in significant pain, I want options.

jeffrae · March 2011

I just used the tucks pads layered in a pad....about 4 at a time.

PinkGrapefuit · March 2011

I used tucks pads, kept them in the fridge. The hospital gave me huge ice packs that were like pads the first 24-36 hours. I also took some how but never used them. Not sure about a normal pad soaking in witch hazel. Doesn't sound helpful and seems messy. I don't think a normal pad touches the areas you would want the witch hazel so seems sort of pointless. You want the tucks pads all up in there against your skin.

circe811 · March 2011

Where are you buying the witch hazel pads?

tokenhoser · March 2011

circe811:
Where are you buying the witch hazel pads?

The two options I see are: buy Tucks pads or buy a bottle of witch hazel and a pack of pads or panty liners, combine and freeze (either in original wrappers or separated by wax paper).

I'm leaning toward making my own.

00tedsgirl · March 2011

My hospital gave me jumbo pads that had been frozen and then a bigger pad (like a narrow chux pad) to put under the frozens to catch any leaks. I took some of the jumbo pads home but only used them for about a day (with a 3rd degree tear). I did not wipe with anything for several days, though. I put cool water in the peri bottle and flushed my ladybits regularly. Even with swelling, I think I would want a bigger, thicker pad than a pantyliner for the witch hazel/ice. I mean, you really want to get that stuff up against as much of your surface area as possible.

tokenhoser · March 2011

My plan was for the liner to be on top of the bigger pad - so melts would be absorbed downward.

MissMommyMac · March 2011

I used witch hazel pads but I like the sound of freezing pads covered in witch hazel! I didn't tear with my DD so I never had any problems, but who knows if I will get the same courtesy with this LO.

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BTDT moms: witch hazel maxi pads?

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