10 ways to Ease your mind and your bits when going to the loo after birth

Attention pregnant mums! Going to the loo after having your baby may be a bit of a faff, but here are some things you can to do ease your mind and your bits…

⚡️A Storage Box or Caddy - You’ll want everything you need in hand’s reach to minimise your discomfort and inconvenience. Something that doesn’t require you to bend or reach too much should you need to grab multiple things on the toilet.

⚡️ Hand Sanitiser - With lots of stitches down there, it’s a good idea to clean your hands before and after popping to the toilet!

⚡️Materntiy Pads - Those first few days, your Lochia (which is your postpartum bleeding/discharge) will be a lot heavier than a period. Normal pads won’t cut it! Invest in some high-absorbency maternity pads to see you through and remember to change them often! Bleeding lightens after the first week and continues for about 6 weeks. We’ll talk more about what to expect with this soon… Although I was personally guilty of using them, I wouldn’t recommend adult nappies as they aren’t any less faff, and their higher absorbency can mean you may not notice heavier than normal bleeding and may be less inclined to change as regularly.

⚡️A helping hand - If you feel safe to, even if slightly embarrassing, ask for help if you need some! Those first few days can be very sore for lots of woman and getting up and down or reaching for things can be quite the challenge. My mum and husband needed to help me on and off the toilet for the first couple days with my stitches and flippin’ awful piles. No shame in asking for help, and if anyone makes you feel ashamed, they can get in the toilet themselves!

⚡️ A Peribottle - They say ‘there’s no love like the love for you baby’, but I say ‘there’s no love like how my peribottle loves my perineum’. Thank the Lord for this invention. 🙌 Super comfortable and easy for cleaning down there, especially for those with stitches and piles the size of Mount Everest like ya girl had here. This goes for c-section too to minimise feeling you need to bend and move too much. Even those with c-sections may have spent time pushing beforehand, so don’t count yourself out because baby was born abdominally.

⚡️ Big panties or disposable underwear - invest in some high waisted full briefs. You may not feel your sexiest but now is the time to feel your most comfortable. They hold your maternity pads well and feel so comfortable and supportive. If you have a c-section, these can be comfortable in ensuring the seam doesn’t sit too close to your incision. Disposable can be a good option too but why not invest in something that won’t get tossed in the bin after a day?

⚡️Cooling products - Heaven in your pants, I’m telling you! These really make the world of different where there is a lot of soreness and swelling. So many women DIY their own cooling treatment down there with Aloe Vera and Which Hazel. There are also some great options of products on the market - I loved @fridamom cooling pad liners. 👌

⚡️Reusable wipes or paper towels - Toilet paper tends to disintegrate with lots of moisture, of which, there will be plenty those first few days. Using washable wipes or paper towel is a great way to softly pat dry and not leave any residue.

⚡️A healing spray - These can be really soothing and aid healing. You just aim towards your perineum and spray a few times - voila! I loved @my_expertmidwife Spritz for bits 🍑

⚡️Epsom Salts - If you can, running yourself a bath with Epsom salts can help aid healing. Easier said than done with a newborn who seems to sense whenever you’re away from them or simply want to do something for yourself for 10 mins. You can always get a sits bath seat for your loo and give your bits a bath a couple times a day when going to the toilet. 🛀 

Bonus #11 - A whole lot of grace - By grace, I mean to be gracious, not graceful! Not many people like to address these things, but it’s important to acknowledge it’s all normal. 99.9% of us wee and poop, and every woman who gives birth in one way, shape or form will bleed. Even your glamourous celeb idols who have given birth have likely waddled their way into the toilet and been confronted with this same fate. Not everyone need to share about it, but it helps for us to help each other out and break stigmas attached bleeding and postpartum toilet visits. If there’s any tips you have that I’ve missed, do comment and help a mum out!

I’m always happy here at @mannabirthuk to address all things that don’t get talked about with birth and postpartum.