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You may shower and shampoo anytime after delivery.
In a homebirth setting this may be right after the delivery of the placenta and after any suturing, if needed, has been done. The mother, with physical support from her partner and/or midwife or birthing assistants to steady her feet while walking, is escorted to the bathroom to perform bathroom duties (urination & bowel movement, if needed) and have a nice warm shower and shampoo. If she is feeling faint, have her sit on a water-proof stool, chair or shower bench that sits firmly in the shower or tub. She should not be left alone during this time but should have at least one person present with her to assist her, if needed, and offer support. Use mild bath soap and very gentle cleaning strokes or dabs to clean the perineal area to remove any blood or other bodily fluids. Take care that tissue damage does not occur and if any stitches were made, then these should be carefully avoided. The perineum may be sensitive and sore. Use plenty of warm water for rinsing. Dry by dabbing gently to remove excess moisture in the perineal area with a clean, fresh towel. At this time it is nice that she is able to dress in a clean nightgown or loose robe with a clean perineal pad in place to absorb the lochia (bloody discharge). It is usually recommended that she uses a belt with her sanitary pad and avoid panty underwear for the first few days or so. Large incontinence pads or incontinence panties work well since they cover a larger area and helps to prevent bloody leakage. She may have to wear more than one sanitary pad at a time for the few days since the flow is usually heavy at first and often blood clots may be passed. She should return to a clean bed with fresh linen and fluffed pillows ready to relax, maybe have some nutritious soup or a light meal and enjoy her new baby with her partner and perhaps to obtain some much needed rest. Someone should remain with her for the first 24-48 hours (partner, friend, family member) to assist her and to observe how she is doing and report any unusual occurrences or symptoms to the midwife.
Some midwives and health care providers recommend that a full tub bath be delayed from 24-48 hours up to a few weeks after delivery. Opinions are very diverse regarding bathing as compared to showering after birth. However, to be relatively safe, a shallow tub bath in about 4 inches of pleasantly warm (not hot) water (sitz bath depth) may be taken as soon as you are able to get in and out of the tub safely. Be sure to have someone there to assist the mother in getting in and out of the tub to prevent falls (she may get a little dizzy after soaking in the bath and then trying to get out, fainting my occur). The biggest thing is to make sure the tub has been scoured cleaned and rinsed thoroughly before the new mom is allowed to sit and bathe in it to prevent potential bacterial infections. If this isn't possible, she may stand or sit on a waterproof chair in the tub and have someone pour warm water over her as she bathes.
SITZ AND HERBAL BATHS FOR SORE MUSCLES AND PERINEUMS
This is an herbal bath after the baby is born and all necessary postpartum tasks are finished. The mother and the baby love it. The herbs used are:
2 cups Comfrey leaf
1 cup Shepherd's purse
1 cup Uva ursi
1 cup Garlic
1 cup Sea salt
1/4 cup of Rosemary powder
Tie the herbs up in a knee high nylon stocking so as to not have to strain them after the infusion. Infuse the herbs for a while then pour that tea off. Then refill the pot and simmer them until the baby is born. Scrub the bathtub thoroughly, rinsing even more thoroughly. Candles for low light can be used so the baby will open its eyes and relax. The herbs are good for the mother's sore bottom and baby's skin. This herbal bath helps with swelling and aid clotting.
Herbal Bath Recipe #2
1 cup Sea salt
1 Large clove of fresh garlic
1 Ounce of uva ursi
1-2 Ounces of comfrey leaf
1/2-1 Ounce of shepherd's purse
Boil large pot of water. Add herbs, and simmer 30 minutes to an hour. Strain. Add sea salt and pureed garlic. Notes: Garlic and sea salt are antiseptic. Uva ursi aids healing for female organs. Comfrey leaf is soothing and is said to aid healing by causing the edges of wounds to grow together. Shepherd's purse prevents and controls heavy bleeding. Shepherd's purse can also be made into a tea and sipped while bathing to help with bleeding control. A tincture of Shepherd's purse may be added to red raspberry leaf tea. Red raspberry leaf tea is a female tonic and hormonal balancing tea as well as a uterine toner. An excellent tea for all women of all ages.
Herbal Bath #3
2 hands full of Comfrey leaf
1 handful sea salt tied into a clean stocking.
Simmer in water, throw stocking and tea into the well-cleaned tub. A dropper of St Johns Wort oil and Arnica oil can be added to the water to aid with soreness. St. Johns Wort oil seems to help pain in labor when rubbed on back or tummy!
Herbal Bath #4
2 cups Comfrey leaf and root
1 cup Shepherd's purse
1 cup Uva ursi
1/4 cup Rosemary
1 cup Sea salt
1 cup Lavender Flowers
1/4 cup Myrrh
This is mixture is nice if garlic odor is bothersome. These organic herbs can be sewn into 100% Natural, undyed, unbleached muslin or cotton gauze-like fabric in advance of the birth. This is a huge time and mess saver. They can be tied with a nice ribbon and a tag with instructions on how and when to use them along with the ingredients, if given as a maternity gift to the expectant mother. This is an inexpensive baby shower gift and makes a great bath.
The entire bag would be simmered in hot water for about 30 minutes. Pour the tea into the tub. It smells mildly lovely because of the lavender. It can be used again the next day, except it would have to steep longer.
See Mountain Rose Herbs below for links to organically grown and harvested bulk herbs and aromatherapy oils to make your own postpartum herbal baths.
COMMERCIALLY MADE HERBAL BATH PRODUCTS
Therapeutic Herbal Bath Oil, Olbas Swiss Made, 8 fl. oz. - Olbas Therapeutic Herbal Bath Oil has a therapeutic fragrant bath oil soothes & relaxes. It tingles and invigorates all the body senses. It is marvelous after a hard day of work or sport. It is excellent as a footbath for tired, aching feet. Blended using pure essential oils and chlorophyll, Olbas Bath Oil acts as a natural deodorant. Use in the tub or whirlpool for a bubble bath or in the shower to stimulate the senses. Provides a truly exceptional experience!
Directions:
Tub Use: Add 2-4 tablespoonfuls to tub of hot water. If foam is desired, add to running water.
Shampoo or Shower: Use as a shampoo or as a liquid soap on wash cloth, sponge or brush (avoid contact with eyes).
Foot or sponge bath: Add 1-2 tablespoonfuls to each gallon of hot water.
Whirlpool Bath: to begin, add 1 teaspoonful. Then add sparingly to adjust for size of tub, foam and degree of stimulation desired.
Ingredients: Blended using essential oils of Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Cajeput, Wintergreen, Juniper, and Clove, combined into a natural base of Chlorophyll and mild foaming soap. Does NOT contain SLS or SLES (sodium lauryl/laureth sulfates).
Passion Salts w/ Rose Buds, 100% Natural Bath Salt, in Decorative Glass Bottle, 9 oz. - Steep in the powerful aromatic essences designed to liberate emotion and excite the pleasures of love. Formulated with pacific solar salts, Epsom salts, baking soda, and whole rosebuds these baths are sure to transport you to an open heart with a new appetite for passion. Enough for three baths.
Ingredients: Pacific Solar Salts, Epsom Salts, baking soda, whole rose buds and essential oils.
Therapeutic Bath Crystals, 1 lb. - Release lactic acid with Burt's Bees bath crystals. The penetrating action of essential oils helps stimulate the elimination of waste products and relieves soreness.
Directions: Add several tablespoons to hot running water. Let the tub fill and allow salts to dissolve. When the bath reaches a comfortable temperature, step in and soak for 15 minutes.
Ingredients: Sea Salt, Lemon Oil, Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda), Rosemary Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E) Oil.
Tub Treats, Aromatherapy Bath Seltzers, All Natural, Princess Lavendula, 2 oz. - The hottest little item to hit the tub. Our all natural Tub Treats are definitely the bath lover's delight. These lovable eggs are all natural, biodegradable and chemical free. After a long, hard day, lay back and relax in classic lavender. The oil is often called "blue magic" for its versatility of applications, and pure adoration from young and old. Lavender oil is refreshing, calming, and if used before sleep, will assure a good night's rest. It has a balancing and stimulating effect on skin. Four other fragrances available.
Instructions are easy: Fill bath tub, toss in Tub Treat, climb in tub and enjoy!
African Red Tea Bath Salts, 8 oz. - Luxuriate in the bath with the beautiful aroma of African Red Tea, while treating your skin to its rejuvenating effects. Smooth, healthy and glowing skin begins in a bath of African Red Tea Bath Salts made of the finest ingredients.
Directions: Draw bath, put approx. 3 tablespoons of bath salts in, move around until all melted.
Ingredients: Dead Sea Salts, Epsom Salts, Rooibos Extract, Lavender, Rosemary and Sandalwood Essential Oils
Ingredients: Rooibos Tea Extract, Epsom salts, Lavender, Rosemary, Essential Oils & Egyptian Musk Oils.
Burt's Bees Mom & Baby Tender Loving Care Gift Set - Great baby shower gift for both mom and baby.
Mountain Rose Herbals: Body and Bath Products - Many items helpful in making your own bath products as well as bath blends and soaps. All organic and natural ingredients are used.
MoonDragon's Postpartum Care Index
POSTPARTUM CARE INFORMATION
Postpartum Care: Index
Postpartum Care: Weight
Postpartum Care: Diet
Postpartum Care: Bowel Movements & Urination
Postpartum Care: Bathing
Postpartum Care: Breasts & Breastfeeding
Postpartum Care: Perineal Care
Postpartum Care: Vaginal Bleeding (Lochia) & Menstruation
Postpartum Care: Exercise & Back Care
Postpartum Care: Sexual Intercourse
Postpartum Care: Contraception
POSTPARTUM VISITS
PostPartum Visit: Day One
PostPartum Visit: Day Three
PostPartum Visit: Day Seven
PostPartum Visit: 4 to 6 Week Visit
POSTPARTUM CONCERNS
Baby Care & Concerns
Fatigue & Exhaustion
Postpartum Depression (The "Baby Blues")
NOTIFY YOUR MIDWIFE OR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IF...
You or your family member has questions about postpartum care.
You or a family member develops any unexpected and/or unusual symptoms.
Mountain Rose Bulk Herbs
Mountain Rose Aromatherapy Oils
Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils A-B
Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils C-E
Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils F-L
Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils M-P
Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils Q-Z
Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils: Oil Blends & Resins
Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils: Diffusers, Nebulizers, & Burners
Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils: Oil Kits
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