Postpartum Padsicles

 

Postpartum Padsicles

I've been doing a lot of last minute preparations before I go into labor. It really could be anytime now...or not for several weeks. I've got my bag all packed and ready to go for the birth center and all the supplies I need for myself and the baby pretty much ready to go.
One thing I keep reading about is making "padsicles" for when I come home from the birth center. Basically they are pads that you add aloe and witch hazel to and then freeze. You use them like regular pads and they are supposed to feel really nice and cool on your lady parts which hopefully have not been ripped to shreds during labor!

Since I haven't had to use them yet I don't know how well they work but I got down to business the other night and got a whole bunch prepped.

 

Supplies:

 

Pads: Buy the biggest bulkiest overnight ones you can find. Or use Depends. I couldn't quite bring myself to purchase Depends because I embarrass easily but I have heard they work well postpartum

Witch Hazel: Available at the drugstore. It is a natural antiseptic. Be warned, it kind of stinks really bad. They make witch hazel with different infusions like rose that smell better but since I mixed it with the other ingredients that would hide the smell, I just bought the cheap stuff.

Aloe gel:  Find this in the same section of the drugstore you buy sunscreen.

Essential oils: I used lavender. Tea tree is also good. Choose something with soothing, calming and antiseptic properties.

Take a pad and open it carefully making sure to preserve the plastic cover. Squirt the witch hazel on the pad. A teaspoon or two will do. Next, take the aloe and squirt it on the pad as well and mush it all in. Then sprinkle a few drops of essential oil on top.  Wrap it back up and store them in a Ziplock bag in the freezer until it's time to use them.

Here is a list of the other items I have picked up for myself for postpartum relief:

Baggy sweatpants with a loose waistband
Gigantic underwear a couple sizes bigger than I normally wear to fit the gigantic pads
Gel ice packs
Epsom salts for the bath
Dermoplast numbing spray  topical numbing spray.
Extra pads

Is there anything else super important that I am forgetting? Have you tried making padsicles before? Tell me about it in the comments!

UPDATE: The pads work awesome and totally helped! This recipe is totally worth a try!