What is the best way to care for perineal discomfort or pain?
Some pain is normal (especially when healing from an episiotomy or tear). To prevent infection, it is important to: • Squirt warm water over the perineum to clean • Use a fresh sanitary pad every 4-6 hours To ease discomfort, you can: • Take warm sitz baths • Use an ice-pack or gauze pad with chilled witch hazel • Avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time • Use natural laxatives (such as prune juice, fruits, and fluids) Return to the Pregnancy and Related Care page.
