Giving birth is amazing. And, yes, painful. The lingering soreness and tenderness in the vaginal area is called perineum pain. It can make it difficult to walk, sit, or even use the toilet.

Of course, your new bundle of joy makes it all worthwhile. But you can still take steps to ease the pain and help your body heal. Here’s what you need to know.

Perineum Pain 101

The perineum is the area between the vagina and anus. Childbirth can injure your perineum in a few ways, says Rachel Taylor, R.N., a childbirth educator in Birmingham, Alabama:

• Stretching. Your birth canal gets wider before delivery.
• Tearing. Your perineum stretches and tears during delivery. This can happen if your baby is big, if you have a quick delivery, or if the doctor uses forceps.
• Episiotomy. During labor, your doctor may need to make the opening of your birth canal a little wider. There could be a few reasons for this. For example, the baby’s heart rate may be too slow. Or their shoulder might be stuck behind your pelvic bone. If that happens, your doctor will make a small surgical cut to help deliver the baby fast.

“Most women are surprised at how uncomfortable they are after having a baby,” says Taylor. Bruises and hemorrhoids are common. So is pain and swelling around the vagina or anus. This is all normal. But it’s important to watch for infection, especially if you have stitches from tearing or an episiotomy. Signs include:

• Pain that gets worse.
• Bad smell.
• Fever.
• White pus or yellow discharge.

Call your doctor about any of these symptoms. They’ll check to see what’s causing your pain and find a way to treat it.

8 Simple Strategies to Feel Better Fast

No matter what, your vaginal area will be sore after childbirth. Ask your doctor about these home remedies:

1. Ice your perineum. Ice packs or cold gel packs are lifesavers, says Heather Jeffcoat, a physical therapist. Jeffcoat specializes in women’s health in Los Angeles. Other “cool” tips: Chill maxi pads in the freezer before using them or wear a small ice pack with your maxi pad.
2. Use a squirt bottle. After using the toilet, rinse your vaginal and anal areas with a squirt bottle filled with warm water. Gently pat dry.
3. Try witch hazel. This plant-based remedy helps prevent infection and ease swelling. Pat your perineum with witch hazel when you change your pad.
4. Take a sitz bath. That’s a warm, shallow bath you sit in to treat perineum pain. It can ease soreness. Research shows that it can even help prevent infection.
5. Have a donut. A donut-shaped pillow, that is. It lets you sit comfortably because it takes the pressure off your vaginal area. Sitting on a breastfeeding pillow works too.
6. Keep your stool soft. Straining during a bowel movement increases perineal pain. It can even pop your stitches. Drink lots of water. And ask your doctor about a laxative or stool softener.
7. Use a pain relief spray. Ask your doctor about sprays with lidocaine to numb your perineum. But don’t use them with ice packs, says Taylor. You might also try a hemorrhoid cream. “Keep the tube in the refrigerator for instant relief,” says Taylor.
8. Try perineal massage. Gently massaging the area with coconut or vitamin E oil can help ease pain.

What About Sex?

Your doctor will give you the okay after your perineum has healed. That can take from 4 weeks to a few months. But know that post-baby sex may not feel the same. Hormonal changes can cause perineum discomfort. Scar tissue can be painful too.

Using a lubricant can help soothe healing tissues and ease discomfort during sex. You may also consider seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist, who can teach you healing exercises.

All that said, it might be a while before you feel like having sex again — and that’s okay. Give yourself time to heal. Focus on being a brand-new parent. Your body will tell you when it’s ready to be intimate again.

[SOURCES]

[1] “Vaginal Tears During Childbirth.” Cleveland Clinic, February 20, 2020, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21212-vaginal-tears-during-childbirth. Accessed December 9, 2022.

[2] “Episiotomy: When It’s Needed, When It’s Not.” Mayo Clinic, August 2, 2022, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/labor-and-delivery/in-depth/episiotomy/art-20047282. Accessed December 9, 2022.

[3] “Postpartum Pain Management.” American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, August 2022, https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/postpartum-pain-management. Accessed December 9, 2022.

[4] “Perineal Massage During Pregnancy.” American Pregnancy Association, https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/labor-and-birth/perineal-massage-pregnancy/. Accessed December 9, 2022.