How a Sitz Bath can heal your perineum

In addition to packing your hospital bag or preparing for a home birth, you will no doubt need to prepare a few things for your postpartum recovery.

If you are planning a vaginal delivery, you will most likely be researching how to heal your vagina after birth.

A sitz bath is one of the best solutions to aid with healing and it can really alleviate some of the aches and discomfort that comes with giving birth. A sitz bath can also help ease pain and itching from hemorrhoids — another postpartum symptom you may be experiencing.

What is a Sitz Bath?

A sitz bath is a shallow bath filled with warm water and special ingredients to cleanse and relieve pain and itching in the perineal area. You can use your bathtub or a sitz basin that fits over your toilet. How to set up and use a sitz bath.

Here are our top 5 Reasons to Take a Sitz Bath

1. A sitz bath can help to relieve pain. If you’ve had a vaginal delivery you will most likely be very sore especially if you’ve had tears and stitches.

   Even if you didn’t tear or have an episiotomy, you will experience some discomfort from all of the stretching and will be a bit swollen. A sitz bath can help to soothe the soreness and relaxes the muscles in the perineum, which can relieve the pain of a tear or episiotomy. 

2. A sitz bath will help to cleanse the perineum. After you’ve had a baby, it’s very important to keep the area down below clean to avoid infection. Sitz baths are a great way to keep the perineum clean without having to press on delicate, sore tissue. 

   Research shows that sitz baths, especially when prepared with bath herbs that have antimicrobial and antibacterial properties (e.g. lavender, yarrow, and chamomile), helps to keep things clean down there, lowering the risk of infection. 

3.  A sitz bath can help speed up healing. Sitz baths are especially beneficial if you have grazes, minor tears or stitches.

   Warm water increases circulation, improving blood flow to the perineal area, which reduces swelling and inflammation and promotes healing. 

4.  A sitz bath is amazing for hemorrhoids. If you are suffering from hemorrhoids you know how unpleasant and a pain in the a** they can be (literally!).

   Sitz baths may be helpful in reducing hemorrhoid size, as well as healing areas where hemorrhoids were surgically removed.

   If you are using a sitz bath primarily to treat hemorrhoids, speed the healing process by applying a little witch hazel after your bath. Try soaking a cotton pad in witch hazel and then patting the affected area. 

5. A sitz bath can help you relax. Taking care of your body is so so important, but any new mum knows just how precious alone time is. 

   Finding time to indulge in a little self-care not only does wonders for your body, but also improves your mood. When you take your sitz bath, try not to rush the process. Let your partner or family member hold baby so you can have some time to relax—even if just for 5 or 10 minutes.