The smell of lavender, comfrey, and calendula defines both of my births. You know how smell defines so many of our experiences? Well, this postpartum herbal sitz bath is my smell. My favorite smell. It is medicinal, but lovely and oh so soothing. My midwive brought in these healing herbs and steeped them while I was in labor, and then gave me a glorious bath in them, with my babies, after they were born. In the days following my births, every evening, I would take a postpartum herbal bath. My husband would get things ready, and I would get to relax and lay in the bathtub. This time was so important for me to heal following the rigor and challenge of birth.
Midwives and women, for ages, have bathed their postpartum bodies and perineums in herbs. These herbs are healing and provide a calming time for mother and baby after a birth. These baths can be used once home from the hospital, or directly after a home birth. You could also make the herb tea and put soaked washcloths directly on the perineum.
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Postpartum Herbal Bath
Enjoy an herbal sitz bath every evening to heal and soothe your sore perineum. These herbal baths are an ancient tradition. The core healing herbs are equal parts:
- Calendula flowers (knits wounds, soothes inflammation, controls bleeding, heals damaged tissue, antiseptic, antimicrobial)
- Comfrey leaves (knits wounds, speeds healing. astringent, anti-inflammatory, soothing)
- Lavender flowers (bruising, anti-bacterial, promotes mood, circulation, and relaxation)
Additional herbs included in many baths are: plantain leaves, rosemary leaves, sage leaves, uva ursi leaves, yarrow flowers and sea salt. Ready made postpartum herbal baths can be found at Mountain Rose Herbs.
Herbs for Mother’s Postpartum at Midwifery Today also shares how different herbs can benefit a mother during her childbearing year.
Directions for making postpartum herbal bath
- Combine herbs.
- Boil gallon of water in a large pot.
- Turn off heat, add large handful of each herb, (or 1/4 pound each of calendula, comfrey, and lavender).
- Cover and let steep for at least one hour, up to 24 hours.
- Pour the herb water directly into the bath water through a strainer and discard the herbs (or you may refrigerate mixture or leftover herbs to reuse or re-steep for up to 3 days). Add sea salt or epsom salts as desired.
- Mother and baby can enjoy the bath together – ensure both are properly supported with a helper.
Further after vaginal birth care for mothers
- Drink prune juice and plenty of water to loosen stool. (After attempting to take a stool-softening drug which made my stomach ache like never before – another reminder that nature knows best.)
- Lay down as much as possible. When seated, sit on one cheek at a time.
- Squirt water, or prepared herbal mixture, on perineum after urinating, rather than wiping. {Using a squirt bottle.}
Mothers need to be cared for after births. In many cultures, women stay in bed with their babies for up to six or twelve weeks after their births. This postpartum herbal sitz bath can help mother heal, and relax, during this beautiful and life changing time. It may feel intimidating to try using herbs in your postpartum care, or just life in general. I’ve found that once I started using God-created herbs, I began feeling so rejuvenated. God intended for these herbs to heal us in so many ways, and taking that little step to begin using them will help you feel grounded and connected to him and the earth.
For further reading :
How to make echinacea tincture
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