After a natural birth, you’ll definitely need something to take care of the goods ‘down there’.
If you haven’t got them already, the hospital might provide you with maxi pads. These will help in no other way than to grab hold of any extra liquids you might lose after the delivery.
There is only one way of upgrading from those giant pads and that is with PADSICLES!
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The word padsicle is what is known as a “blend” word, which is a two-word mash up to create a new word with a new meaning.
So, padsicle comes from the two words pad (as in sanitary pad) and popsicle.
Padsicles are incredibly easy to make and they’re frozen to help relieve any sore areas.
After the (hopefully) amazing birth of your new-born delight, your postpartum recovery will often be a case of you experiencing exhaustion, night sweats, sore nipples, ravenous eating, blistering sore lady bits and anaemic fogginess.
Even though the hospital might also give you Lidocaine spray, which is amazing for its numbing abilities, it just isn’t enough.
If you went through your 1st childbirth unarmoured, then you definitely need to be fully prepared when going through birth number 2.
Not only is a padsicle almost essential for postpartum recovery, but it will help to distract you for the last few days before you meet your little one.
Or, if you’re not even expecting and feel like doing something different for a new mum, they make great baby shower gifts, and they’ll be much appreciated.
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What you need to make Padsicles:
1. Large ziplock bags– to store your pad in the freezer.
2. Extra heavy over-night pads – try to get the ones without wings if you prefer to wear boy shorts or mesh underwear, otherwise they’ll get in the way.
The bigger the pad, the better. Maxi pads are good due to the high soaking capability.
3. Lavender oil – this is optional, but it smells nice and can help with healing.
4.Witch Hazel – you can either purchase this an as astringent which consists of 14% alcohol or as a toner with zero per cent.
The 14% allegedly doesn’t sting, but if you’re worried then you’d be better off buying Thayer’s Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel. Both purchased at Walmart for under 5$.
5.Aloe Vera Gel – it must be free from alcohol and unscented otherwise it will sting 100x more.
6.Spray bottle – to spray the witch hazel and/or essential oils onto the pads.
Step-by-step guide on how to make padsicles
1. If you have winged pads, take the tabs off but ensure you keep them as they’ll be needed, and then unfold your pad.
2. Use the witch hazel and make sure the pad is completely saturated by applying 3-4 tablespoons.
3.Add 2 tablespoons of aloe vera.
4.Put 1-2 drops of lavender oil on the pad.
5.Spread the aloe vera and lavender oil evenly with the back of a spoon.
6.Refold your pad gently and use the wing tabs to ensure it doesn’t all stick together.
7.Place the pad in the freezer and secure it in a ziplock bag.
8.When you’re ready to use one all you have to do is remove the pad from the freezer.
Let the pad become cold instead of freezing, this is to prevent frostbite in an already sensitive area.
Apply it as you would with a regular pad. You may, however, want to consider sitting on a towel.
Unfortunately they can get wet, and if you’re out and about or have company, you might not want to leave a puddle.
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How to best use a padsicle
When you’re finally ready to use the padsicles, these guidelines are here to help.
1) You should ensure you change your pad every four hours at least. Depending on the blood flow, you might need to change it more often, which is okay.
2) Use up to four padsicles a day to let your lady bits have a rest from the colder temperatures.
3) Use the padsicles until you feel more comfortable, which can take up to 6 weeks or even longer.
You might want to consider how many you’ll need, but 20-30 should be plenty.
Even if you don’t use them all then you can give them as a gift as previously mentioned or you won’t be losing out on too much money if you throw them away.
We tend to concentrate a lot on the preparation of baby arriving as mums.
Whether it’s the hospital bag, stocking up on wipes and diapers or doing up the nursery. It’s all about the baby and ensuring they have everything they need.
But padsicles give mum a chance for recovery and preparation for herself too.
If lavender oil isn’t something you want to use, then you may want to consider adding another healing content such as eucalyptus or tea tree.
These both include antimicrobial effects against candida, streptococci and staphylococci.
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What if you’re unable to make padsicles?
You may not be able to make them for one reason or another, or you simply don’t have access to a freezer. That’s okay, there are other healing remedies.
You have a choice of buying peri spray or making your own.
1) Gather together a small travel spray bottle and some lavender tea, aloe vera and witch hazel.
2) Give your lady garden a spritz as often as you need or whenever you use the restroom.
Padsicles are there to help recovery for swelling, haemorrhoids, stitches, bruising, lacerations and episiotomies.
Why padsicles?
“You’ve written all of this and I don’t actually know why I should choose padsicles!” I hear you say.
Despite the fact they are super cheap to make, they help towards any recovery from natural vaginal birth.
They can help the healing of bruising, reduction of swelling, pain relief, reduction of pressure from haemorrhoids, they smell amazing and they promote healing of episiotomies and tears.
Are they necessary?
No, hands are held firmly up in the air because they aren’t.
Although, for many women, they’ve been a life saver. So, considering they don’t do any harm, you’ve got nothing to lose by trying.
Hopefully, while you’re resting back with padsicles on with your new-born bundle in your arms, someone will bring you a tub of ice-cream to snack on.
How absorbent are padsicles?
Padsicles are very absorbent, although, postpartum bleeding can be worse for others and a regular pad just isn’t enough.
If at any point you’re going through heavier bleeding and you’re worried about going through a padsicle, I’d recommend just putting your mind at ease and wearing a fresh adult diaper.
Not to forget that the more ingredients you put on a pad, the less able it will be able to do its job, so take it easy.
Can padsicles be made without witch hazel, aloe vera and/or lavender?
If you want to remove any of these ingredients then you can simply add tea tree oil. Tea tree oil, as all other ingredients are safe and effective to use.
What is tea tree oil?
Tea tree oil has been used for many years and with many different illnesses such as coughs and colds or directly to the skin (on a cut) for healing.
Due to the number of compounds, such as terpinen, it has been shown that tea tree oil kills certain bacteria, fungi and viruses.
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/tea-tree-oil#section4
There are other varieties of padsicles:
Hydrosol padsicles
This is made with hydrosol or botanical waters that remain after steam distillation. These essence waters are gentler than essential oils and carry some healing properties too!
Ingredients:
8 ounce spray bottle
2 ounces of Lavender hydrosol
Overnight sanitary pads
2 ounces of Calendula hydrosol
Aloe Vera
Wooden spoon
2 ounces of rose hydrosol
What do you have to do to make them?
1) Mix the calendula, rose and lavender in a spray bottle.
2) Spray a small amount on the pads, ensuring it’s a thin layer and evenly spread.
3) Spread a thin layer of aloe vera on the pad using the wooden spoon.
4) Carefully fold the pads back up.
5) Place the pad into a freezer bag and place in the freezer until you’re ready.
Herbal spray padsicles
Herbal tea is involved in making this padsicle and will be used as the liquid in your recipe.
Ingredients:
Combine two teaspoons of each of the following herbs to create your base:
Thyme
Rosemary
Lavender
Goldenseal
Comfrey
How do you make herbal padsicles?
1) Two cups of water need to be boiled and then cooled slightly.
2) Place two teaspoons of your herbal base in a large mason jar and let it steep overnight.
3) Pour it a spray bottle once you’ve strained.
4) Ensure to spray a layer from the bottle onto the pads so they feel wet and not saturated.
5) Place the pads into a freezer bag and store them in a freezer until you’re ready.