Postpartum bleeding and pain are a part of the healing process following labor and delivery.
We’ve long known that witch hazel pads and aloe vera gel can soothe pain and have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. Women have been lining their adult diapers or maxi pads with witch hazel pads for decades.
However, padsicles for postpartum bleeding and pain relief may be the best way to get relief.
In this article, we’ll talk about how you can relieve pain by using alcohol-free witch hazel, aloe vera, and lavender oil with your pads to give you some cooling relief postpartum and how to make padsicles.
What are padsicles?
Postpartum recovery is a messy and often painful business.
Postpartum care is critical in ensuring that you can heal properly and as quickly as possible. Being able to help with that postpartum recovery period alone can make a big difference.
Padsicles for postpartum healing are maxi pads soaked in aloe vera gel, witch hazel, or essential oils.
These ingredients’ inflammatory and analgesic properties make for cool and soothing pads that can reduce swelling, relieve itching and inflammation, and also have healing benefits.
The best part is that you can make your own padsicles for little cost and get huge benefits!
How to make padsicles: The ingredients
DIY padsicles, or homemade padsicles, are incredibly easy to make.
These frozen pads can be a lifesaver and are great to make before your baby arrives!
You can simply make your own padsicles, store them at home, and then use them after your vaginal delivery to give you soothing relief.
The following are the items you need to make homemade padsicles.
1. Overnight maxi pads
DIY padsicles start as regular maxi pads.
You can begin by purchasing chlorine-free overnight pads. Chlorine and scent-free are the best options, as they will help prevent infection.
Overnight maxi pads are better than regular pads because they tend to be larger and absorbent.
An absorbent pad is vital because after giving birth, there will be a lot of discomfort, as well as lochia, which is the bleeding caused by the shedding of the uterine lining that has been in place for the last nine months.
You can also use cloth pads after a vaginal birth to make your own DIY padsicles, but know that using cloth pads will give you less absorbency and cause more chafing.
While this pad may be more planet friendly, it will have to be changed more frequently and may be less effective, even when combined with the healing ingredients used in a witch hazel padsicle.
2. Witch hazel
Witch hazel pads have long been used for postpartum care, especially alongside a spray bottle of warm water. The soothing and healing properties of witch hazel can calm the irritation after a vaginal delivery.
That burning, itching sensation is immediately calmed when alcohol-free witch hazel enters the scene.
DIY padsicles make use of witch hazel as well. You’ll need a bottle of this, but make sure you get the alcohol-free version; otherwise, you’ll feel quite the opposite effect of soothing!
3. Aloe vera
It’s not just for sunburns! Aloe vera helps to heal damaged skin, is soothing and cooling, and can provide fast and much-needed relief after giving birth.
Make sure to get unscented and alcohol-free aloe vera.
You can often purchase aloe gel in enormous bottles for minimal cost, making it a cost-effective healing substance that serves multiple purposes.
4. Lavender essential oil
Lavender oil is one of those healing ingredients we don’t often think about, but this little bottle of essential oils packs a punch!
Just a few drops on a frozen sanitary napkin can leave you feeling better, and it helps to counteract the odor that can come with bleeding after giving birth.
5. Freezer bags
You can’t just store a frozen maxi pad next to the ice cream in your freezer.
The integrity of the pad matters. You don’t want to have it next to or touch any foods or substances that can introduce bacteria into your body. This is where freezer bags are a great option to ensure that your pads stay fresh for use.
How to make padsicles: Step by step
You can buy padsicles, but when you see the easy instructions and the simple process to make padsicles on your own, you’ll know why it’s probably a better option.
If you do decide to purchase padsicles, make sure that you carefully read the label to be sure that all of the ingredients are as natural as possible to avoid infection.
Step One: Unwrap and open pads
Because you are essentially turning a sanitary napkin into an ice pack, you will have to unwrap it.
Keep the wing tabs if you purchased this type of sanitary napkin, as they will go back onto the sanitary napkins before you store them in the freezer.
Step Two: Add witch hazel
Soak the pad in witch hazel. Use at least three or four tablespoons.
You want to saturate the pad thoroughly. The anti-inflammatory properties will reduce swelling and discomfort for your lady parts, so don’t be afraid to really soak the pad.
Step Three: Add aloe vera
A few healthy tablespoons of aloe vera should do the trick. You don’t want to put as much of this ingredient on the pad as you did the witch hazel.
The cooling effect and the healing benefits of this ingredient are very beneficial.
Step Four: A few drops of lavender
A few drops of lavender essential oil should be sufficient when making these cold packs. Then, use the back of a metal spoon to combine the aloe and the oil gently. Spread it as evenly as possible in a thin layer.
Step Five: Put it all back together and freeze
These cold packs are now basically done!
Now you just have to fold them back up, reattach the tabs if the napkins you use have wings, put them in a plastic bag, and deposit them in the freezer.
These are great to make during your third trimester when you are excited to deliver and trying to get prepared.
Are padsicles less absorbent than regular pads?
One great question about a padsicle is whether it will absorb as much blood as a regular pad that has not been frozen or saturated.
Unfortunately, it will not. You can still put it inside the disposable mesh underwear that the hospital will send home with you, but it may be a good idea to have a towel to lay or sit on.
You may also want this homemade ice pack inside an adult diaper to protect against bleeding and leaks.
Where can I buy padsicles?
Padsicles are now available for purchase online as well as in some stores. A quick internet search will point you in the right direction.
These are often more expensive than making them yourself, but if you don’t have time or energy to make them yourself, read the freezing instructions and the ingredients label carefully.
How many padsicles will I need?
You will get the most out of your padsicles in the first few days after delivery.
Whether you have hemorrhoids, tearing, stitches, or general soreness, this homemade ice pack for your privates will serve you well.
You can make as many or as few homemade padsicles as you want, but most women recommend making 15 to 20 so that you are sure to have enough to get you through the worst pain after childbirth.
Know your body
Bleeding after delivery is expected. Most women bleed for several weeks. You can expect to pass some clots (some rather large) and heavy bleeding and cramping.
In the postpartum stage, you must pay close attention to your body. Bleeding may be normal, but dizziness, abnormal swelling, and bleeding so heavily that you must change your sanitary napkin more than once per hour are signs of something wrong.
Can I use something other than aloe vera?
Yes! If you don’t like aloe or simply don’t have any, you can substitute or swap out this item for coconut oil or even sonogram gel.
Some women would have leftover sonogram gel if they purchased personal Doppler devices during pregnancy. This makes for an excellent substitute for aloe, and it freezes wonderfully.
Will I still need to use the spray bottle?
After you have your baby, you’ll be given a peri bottle or a spray bottle.
You are supposed to put warm water in it for the first several days and use it to clean yourself after urinating or changing your pad.
Even if you have made homemade gel packs, you still need to adhere to these directions. Keeping yourself clean is essential in warding off infection and illness.
In those first few days when you are too sore from using toilet paper to wipe after you pee, that spray bottle will be your best friend.
Postpartum padsicles
This genius hack to the postpartum stage will feel like heaven when you get home with your baby.
Best done while you’re still pregnant, it’s a simple and easy way to guarantee as much comfort as possible.
Hopefully, this article has convinced you of how great this hack is and makes it easy for you to make them yourself. You deserve as much comfort and relief as you can get.
