If your baby’s due date is approaching, you’re probably spending a lot of time preparing for labor, birth, and bringing your newborn home. But one thing many mothers don’t think enough about ahead of time is postpartum recovery. After a vaginal birth, your body needs time, rest, and support to heal physically and emotionally during the fourth trimester.
As a postpartum doula, I’ve supported many postpartum moms through recovery after birth, and I’ve found that having the right postpartum recovery products after a vaginal birth on hand can make a huge difference in comfort and healing. From soothing perineal care products to breastfeeding support and postpartum comfort essentials, these are the recovery essentials I recommend most often after a vaginal delivery.
Postpartum Recovery Must-Haves After a Vaginal Birth
Here’s what I recommend my clients have for the postpartum period after a vaginal birth. Not every mother will need every item on this list, but having a few trusted recovery essentials prepared ahead of time can make postpartum healing feel much more manageable.
Postpartum Recovery Support
1. Belly Wrap
Some people love them, and some people don’t. But there are several benefits to postpartum belly binding. First, it can help repair diastasis recti, which results from the uterus growing and stretching the abdominal muscles.1 Second, it can help with lower back and pelvic support.
During pregnancy, our bodies produce the hormone relaxin, which helps loosen and increase flexibility. This is necessary for us to grow and give birth to our babies.2 When using a belly binder, corset, or belly wrap postpartum, you take advantage of the relaxin still in your body by putting pressure on your hips, pelvis, and ribs to help them return to their pre-pregnancy state.
If you’re wondering how often you should belly bind, it’s recommended that women wear it for 4 to 6 weeks after delivery, for 10 hours a day.3,4
Continue reading our review of the Nano Bamboo Postnatal Recovery & Support Belly Band from Mamaway
2. Postpartum Underwear or Diapers
I recommend having some comfortable underwear or diapers to wear as you’re healing after a vaginal delivery. You will experience bleeding after birth, and wearing underwear or adult diapers you can easily toss out when finished using makes things much easier. Get something soft and stretchy, like postpartum underwear, and use them with postpartum pads.
Or, if you prefer not to wear disposable underwear and a pad, you can use postpartum diapers, such as Always Discreet or these organic cotton covers. These are like an all-in-one.
I wore postpartum diapers after both of my deliveries and put padsicles in them. The diapers helped absorb any leakage from my body and the padsicles, which brings me to my next point . . .
Related: What is Postpartum Lochia? What You Need to Know
3. Padsicles
This one is a definite postpartum recovery must-have after a vaginal birth. It may have a funny name, but these can provide incredible relief during postpartum healing.
The ingredients you place on the pad will help your vagina and bottom feel much better and heal more quickly.5 You can change your padsicle as often as you would like. After delivery, women usually change them out every three to five hours when they are bleeding more and experiencing more soreness. As your body heals, the soreness and bleeding will gradually improve. But it’s up to you! In the past, I prepared a total of 20 for myself post-delivery after I had both of my babies.
Alternatively, you can purchase postpartum pads or get these heavy-flow overnight pads. Both are already infused with healing herbs, so you just have to freeze them! You can add a little aloe vera for extra soothing. You could also get these ice maxi pads or this postpartum recovery kit with many healing essentials.
Continue reading Padsicles Recipe: How to Make Soothing Pads for Recovery
4. Postpartum Sprays, Balms, and Salves
Not only do I recommend using padsicles, but you will also want sitz baths, rhoid balm, sprays and salves for healing after a vaginal birth. I prefer to use all-natural products on my body, especially during birth and immediate postpartum. This is why I chose Earth Mama products to help me and my doula clients recover. And if I need to have a C-section, the healing salve is also great for helping heal incisions.
We love Earth Mama’s bath herbs, bottom spray, and bottom balm. They are perfect for postpartum recovery after a vaginal birth!
5. Postpartum Cold Packs
These can feel incredibly soothing after delivery. I love that you can freeze them, put them in the fridge, or warm them for a perfect cold or hot pack for your nether regions. They provide full coverage down there, so you can easily tuck them in your underwear, and the sleeves can be rinsed and reused or tossed for convenience. Wearing these packs will definitely help soothe soreness after a vaginal delivery.
I highly recommend spraying some witch hazel or lavender oil on the sleeves. And if you’re worried about these gel packs, don’t. These reusable cold packs are made of super soft-touch, medical-grade PVC.
6. Epsom Salts
Another product I recommend for sitz baths or regular baths is this mood-boosting blend, which includes Epsom salts, herbs, and essential oils. You can use it daily during recovery after a vaginal birth to help provide relief, which is why I recommend it so often during postpartum healing. It can help with your physical healing and emotional well-being.
Related: Postpartum Essentials: What You Really Need for Mom and Baby
Healing and Perineal Care
7. Frida Mom Upside Down Peri Bottle
After birth, the hospital will give you a peri bottle to spray and clean your bottom with warm water during recovery. But have you tried to lean over and aim your peri bottle in the right direction after birth? It can be awkward because you have to stick your hand inside the toilet to hold the peri bottle at the right angle to get the right spots. That’s exactly why I prefer the upside-down peri bottle from Frida Mom.
No more sticking your hand inside the toilet since its angled spout makes it easier to clean the right spots.
And it holds two more ounces of water than your average peri bottle. That’s another win since you won’t have to run to the sink mid-bathroom break to get more warm water to clean your lady parts properly. Thank goodness! I also love that the spout is retractable and comes with a travel bag, so you can still wash and recover at the hospital and at home.
8. Frida Mom Donut Pillow
Also from Frida Mom, this donut cushion is another recovery essential because it helps cool and relieve soreness on your perineum. You can use the cushion alone to ease pressure, which is great for hemorrhoids. Or you can use it with the cooling gel pack for cold therapy, which helps reduce swelling. And the cover is machine-washable! I had to sit on a donut pillow after giving birth to my son, and I really wish this would have been available to provide that extra cooling effect for better postpartum healing after a vaginal birth.
9. Dermoplast
Dermoplast has been a staple vaginal birth recovery item because it really helps relieve pain. Since it’s a spray, it’s easy to apply and works quickly. Just shake and spray on the areas on your bottom that need the pain relief most. For moms who experienced perineal tearing, this one is for you. It also contains aloe, lanolin, and menthol, which help soothe and moisturize your skin.
Related: How to Care for Your Perineum Postpartum
Nourishment and Physical Recovery
10. Healthy Snacks and Meals
Eating whole foods like protein, fruits, and vegetables is the best way for your entire body to heal. Try to make healthy choices during this time. Remember that the fuel you feed your body will help you feel better and recover from the inside out. It is also the fuel you use to feed your baby (if you choose to breastfeed). This is why healthy snacks and healthy meals are true postpartum must-haves! Nourishing your body well can also support breastfeeding.6
Here are a few helpful postpartum nutrition resources:
- 20 Easy Postpartum Snacks to Stock in Your Pantry
- Easy and Healthy Snacks to Bounce Back After Baby
- 12 Postpartum Freezer Meals You’ll Love
11. Stool Softener
For most women, the scariest thing after a vaginal birth is passing their first bowel movement. It’s no fun. And that’s especially the case if you tore during delivery. Ouch! I recommend taking a stool softener to make that first bowel movement easier and less scary. Talk to your care provider before purchasing and using it.
Related: Perineal Tearing: How To Reduce Your Chance of Tearing and Heal After Baby
12. TUCKS Cooling Pads
Another one of my postpartum recovery must-haves is the TUCKS cooling pads with witch hazel, which don’t contain any dyes and are hypoallergenic. Place these on your pad in your underwear or in your postpartum diaper. You will be so glad you did! They provide soothing relief and can help with discomfort down there after a vaginal birth.
Breastfeeding Recovery Essentials
13. Nipple Butter
I’ve covered the lower regions, so let’s discuss the upper area, too! You will be leaking and experiencing many changes in your breasts after birth.7 If you plan on breastfeeding, you want to take good care of your nipples and avoid sore and cracked nipples as much as possible. To keep them moisturized, I recommend using an all-natural nipple balm that’s safe for babies. Earth Mama’s nipple butter is a great choice and is the first Non-GMO Project Verified Nipple Cream. It’s one of my favorite options for postpartum nipple care.
Related: 11 Ways to Treat Engorgement and Cracked Nipples
14. Silver Nursing Cups
Silver nursing cups are another one of my postpartum must-haves for breastfeeding mamas. When you first begin breastfeeding your newborn baby, it can take some time and practice for mother and newborn to get a nice, deep latch. During this time, mom’s nipples can get chapped, sore, become cracked, and start to bleed.
Experiencing these symptoms will cause any mother to dread the next feeding time. Breastfeeding challenges can feel even more overwhelming while your body is still healing after a vaginal birth.
This is why I recommend using silver nursing cups! These are basically shields for your nipples that go on after you feed your baby. They use silver’s natural healing and soothing properties to soothe nipple irritation and accelerate the healing process of cracked, painful nipples. Just place them in your nursing bra between feedings. They help prevent cracks and irritation and relieve your sore skin. This is helpful if breastfeeding becomes painful at any time.
Related: 7 Breastfeeding Discomforts and How To Manage Them
15. Nursing Pads
I am a big fan of Bamboobies’ reusable, washable nursing pads! I have been recommending them for years to mamas because they are soft and comfortable on your breasts, very absorbent, and easy to wash. Take care of your breasts and prevent leaks from occurring by using these washable nursing pads. I love how well-made they are and that they are eco-friendly.
16. Nursing Tanks and Bras
After birth, you should be resting in bed as much as possible. Nursing bras and nursing tanks are the perfect items to wear when resting at home and learning how to breastfeed, so it’s a good idea to have some good ones in your wardrobe. I’ve worn these tanks and bras from Bamboobies at home and around town, and I love them! They were some of my go-to’s when recovering after a vaginal delivery. Another brand I highly recommend for nursing tanks and nursing bras is Kindred Bravely!
Comfort and Emotional Support
17. Loungewear
Have a few pairs of cute pajamas and comfortable loungewear items you can throw on. These are true recovery must-haves! Comfort, breathability, and the ease of putting on and feeding baby are key features when choosing pajamas and loungewear during recovery after a vaginal birth.
Also, it’s nice to have a couple of options that make you feel a little more put-together (like this matching set) if you have family members or friends stopping by to see you and meet baby.
18. WishGarden Herbs
A lot of changes happen after you have a baby. You may think that uterine contractions stop once the baby is born. Although they slow down tremendously in speed and intensity, they don’t stop. They continue after the birth during the involution phase while your uterus is trying to get back to its pre-pregnancy shape.
The more babies a mother has, the stronger and more uncomfortable these post-delivery contractions can be because the uterus has to work harder. I’m a big proponent of using natural ingredients to help our bodies heal, and these tinctures are two I recommend.
I love how both of these herbal supplements from WishGarden are designed to help with postpartum healing. The Afterease tincture is for soothing postpartum spasms and contractions after a vaginal delivery to help the mother feel more comfortable as she experiences them. The ReBalance tincture is great for rebalancing a new mother’s fluctuating postpartum hormones. Some women like to encapsulate their placenta and take them the first weeks after childbirth as their “happy pills.” Others prefer a tincture like this one. Emotional support and rest are just as important as physical recovery after a vaginal birth.
As with any herbal supplement during postpartum recovery, check with your healthcare provider before use.
Related: Postpartum Self-Care Tips To Care for Yourself After Giving Birth
19. Postpartum Doula
Last but not least, not only do you need to rest and recover physically after birth, but you also need to recover mentally and emotionally. You’ve gone through a lot and need to relax and process it all. Postpartum doula care is probably one of the best things to get yourself (or give to a friend who just had a baby). A postpartum doula is trained to help a new mom through this transition of adding a newborn to the family.
She helps with light housework, makes you snacks and easy meals, teaches you baby care (like how to bathe baby, swaddle, change a diaper, breastfeed, bottle-feed, burp the baby, and babywear, among many other things), answers questions, can help you get on a good routine, and so much more. This newborn care specialist will give you peace of mind and a well-deserved break when you want to shower or nap. She’s there to listen and provide the family with physical, emotional, and informational support.
Continue reading What a Postpartum Doula Is and Why You Might Want One
Recovering after a vaginal birth takes time, rest, and support. While every postpartum healing experience is different, having a few trusted recovery essentials on hand can help make those early weeks feel more manageable and comfortable.
From soothing postpartum care products to breastfeeding support and nourishing meals, these postpartum recovery products can help support healing after a vaginal birth during the fourth trimester so you can focus more on caring for yourself and your newborn.
