Teratogens are drugs, chemicals, or even infections that can cause abnormal fetal development. Learn what teratogens to avoid during pregnancy. READ MORE Freeze the suppository for 1-2 hours until it is fully frozen. Place the bowl into the freezer, making sure it’s covered in plastic wrap.The suppository is good to use once it’s firm to the touch and doesn’t give when you press it. Discard your gloves and wash your hands a final time. Use warm water and soap, and scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds before drying them off with a clean towel. The suppository should have dissolved, but you may experience a little leakage as you move about. Wear a pad if this happens to you to keep the cocoa butter from getting on your clothes. [12] X Research source

Once you’re ready to use a padsicle, take it out of the freezer and allow it to thaw for a few minutes, so that it’s not too cold. Since the padsicle is nothing more than a sanitary napkin, you’ll wear it inside your underwear like you would wear a regular pad. If you experience any irritation, discontinue using witch hazel pads immediately. Other articles you might enjoy SOOTHE: Perineal Cooling Pad Liners are Step 4 in the Frida Mom 5-step Postpartum Recovery Regimen.If you’ve decided that witch hazel pads are for you, you’ll be happy to know they’re super easy to find. Most drug stores, online shops, and big box stores carry witch hazel pads. You can probably find them in the pharmacy section of the grocery, too. The easiest and most simple way is to buy small cotton pads like these and add soak through with witch hazel. Hemorrhoids aren’t the only postpartum symptom that witch hazel pads can help with. A study found that witch hazel pads were effective in reducing pain and inflammation in women with perineal tears after birth. Although witch hazel contains a known cancer-causing ingredient, there's likely no need for concern unless you regularly use high concentrations. The amounts are very small. Many parents rave about mesh panties coupledwith the big, bulky maternity pads. Personally, I wasn’t a fan. I found the pad to slip all over the place, and because it didn’t have wings I leaked on the sheets! No, thank you.

This, plus the burning, itching, and irritation relief witch hazel pads provide, show why they’re a must-have postpartum recovery item (especially for those pesky hemorrhoids). Hemorrhoids: Commission E has also approved treating the swollen veins characteristic of hemorrhoids with witch hazel (2). Disposable pads pre-soaked in a witch hazel solution are created specifically for this purpose. Most of the U.S. supply comes from wildlands in the northeast U.S., collected by harvesters who have gathered it for generations. The twigs are collected during the winter, then steamed in factories to release and concentrate the pungent extract.

Rectal area. By suppository,use 0.1 to 1 gram leaf and bark applied one to three times daily. When applied to anal area, witch hazel water may be applied up to six times a day or after bowel movements.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions. If your doctor has directed you to use this medication for your condition, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions or side effects and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of this medicine or any medicine before getting further information from your doctor, healthcare provider or pharmacist first. Witch hazel is an excellent choice for postpartum healing because it’s a natural astringent, which “naturally draws water out of tissues, causing them to shrink or constrict.” They contain a variety of herbs that help the body heal wounds, including the leaf variation of witch hazel.Lubricate the end of the suppository to help it go in more easily. Use some kind of water-soluble lubricant and dab it on the end of the suppository. This helps you avoid any discomfort when you insert it, and it’ll help it go in a little further to more thoroughly treat your hemorrhoids. [9] X Research source Draelos, Zoe Kececioglu (1 March 1995). "Cosmetics: An overview". Current Problems in Dermatology. 7 (2): 45–64. doi: 10.1016/S1040-0486(09)80017-3. ISSN 1040-0486 . Retrieved 21 August 2022. If you want to use witch hazel on large areas on a regular basis (as opposed to, say, as occasional first aid on insect stings or small cuts), it’s worthwhile seeking out an alcohol-free version to avoid excessively drying out the skin. These are widely available online. General skin problems: Unfortunately, there are relatively few high-quality studies on the use of witch hazel to treat specific skin conditions. But considering that it is inexpensive and generally safe, there’s no harm in trying it to alleviate a variety of other skin problems for which it is traditionally used. These include acne, bruises, ingrown hairs, oily skin, poison ivy inflammation and razor burn.

This means vaginal healing was a pretty big deal for me those first couple weeks after having my babies.Witch hazel pads can also help soothe hemorrhoids from pregnancy or help calm the newly aggravated ones caused by pushing. Step 3. Squeeze unscented 100% pure aloe vera gel generously all over the sanitary napkin. If your aloe vera is in a jar, and not a squeeze bottle, apply the gel to the pad with a spoon. Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, which can help relieve inflammation and acute pain. (Do make sure you’re using pure aloe vera — nothing with additional chemicals or additives in it.) Witch-hazel may be sold as a semisolid ointment, cream, gel, or salve for topical use, [11] [14] and due to its astringent and antiseptic properties, has long been used to treat various skin conditions like acne. [15] [16] The ointment may ease discomfort from post-partum vaginal soreness and hemorrhoids. [11] [17] It is commonly used to treat diaper rash in infants, and may reduce symptoms of inflammation from minor skin injuries. [11] A 2012 review (updated in October 2020) found little evidence of effectiveness from local cooling treatments (including witch-hazel pads) applied to the perineum following childbirth to relieve pain. [18] Folk medicine [ edit ] If you’re curious about the healing powers of witch hazel pads for your postpartum recovery, you’re in the right place.