Vaginal Birth Recovery

Cold is the standard first comfort measure for a swollen perineum: midwives commonly suggest a wrapped ice pack for around 20 minutes at a time, every few hours, for the first three days. The Bubba Bump perineal ice and heat packs are ARTG-listed (374111), shaped for the job and reusable, a tidier option than homemade padsicles, and they double as warm packs later.

An upside-down peri bottle lets you rinse with warm water while you wee, which many women find takes the sting out of the first bathroom trips, and it works with stitches. Between showers, the witch hazel postpartum recovery wipes are an ARTG-listed cleansing wipe (392212) for gentle perineal cleaning. Both also come in the Peri Care Bundle.

Comfort in week one is mostly about not pressing on sore tissue: sit on something soft, lean to one side, and keep a cooling pack handy. A footstool that raises your knees above your hips supports a more natural squatting position while everything is tender. If haemorrhoids are part of your recovery picture, that's one for your midwife, GP or pharmacist.

Blossom Pelvic Health was founded by a physiotherapist focused on pelvic health, and perineal care is one part of the picture. SRC's postpartum recovery shorts and leggings are ARTG-listed graduated compression (341087) and sit with our postpartum recovery garments; the postpartum recovery products hub covers the rest, and after a caesarean, start with c-section recovery products. We don't accept change-of-mind returns on intimate products. If an item arrives faulty or damaged, email hello@blossompelvichealth.com.au and we'll look after you. Some items, like SRC garments, have specific exceptions; see our returns policy.