What is Perineal Care?
After the birth of their child, many woman worry about caring for their perineal area while it heals. Childbirth is a very traumatic event for a woman’s body, often resulting in reduced strength in pelvic floor muscles, a torn or cut perineum, and even hemorrhoids. Another problem in the perineal area after childbirth is lochia, or the bloody discharge a woman may experience for up to six weeks after the birth of her child. Proper perineal care can make these problems more manageable and help to encourage healing. Initial perineal care, after the stitches have been put in and the new mother has been cleaned up, is focused on treating the pain and swelling associated with child birth. Nurses will apply cooling packs to the area, and offer pain relievers if they are necessary. After the swelling has gone down, heat will be applied to the area, to stimulate healing. Sitz baths, using special tubs that fit onto a toilet bowl, allow the woman to easily and comfortably soak in warm water. Ma
