Postpartum Recovery Kit: Must-Haves for a Vaginal Birth

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The excitement of meeting your new baby likely got you through some of the roughest patches of pregnancy. Now that your baby has arrived, you’re probably digesting big feelings, both good and overwhelming. And while you may have been mentally prepared for the feedings, diaper changes and sleepless nights, you might not have considered how you’d also need to care for yourself in the weeks after birth.
During the first six weeks of postpartum recovery after a vaginal delivery, new moms experience a wide range of symptoms. You can expect to have some amount of postpartum bleeding, fatigue and perineal pain, among other symptoms.
It’s important to be extra kind to yourself: Your body just got you through what’s likely the most enormous physical task of your life. During your first few weeks after giving birth, focus on self-care as much as you can and give yourself time to recover. This can include:
- Following your doctor’s tips to help your perineum heal
- Taking steps to relieve aches and pains throughout your body with the advice of your practitioner
- Going to all scheduled doctor appointments
- Drinking plenty of water and eating right to fight constipation and heal
- Paying attention to and taking care of your mental health
- Taking short walks to speed recovery and boost your mood
To help you heal and ease the transition into new motherhood, it can also help to prepare a postpartum recovery kit of all the essentials you’ll want after welcoming baby, ideally while you're still pregnant.
What postpartum essentials do you need after a vaginal birth?
While there are some postpartum recovery products all new parents will want to stock up on (pads and comfortable, not-too-fancy underwear, for example), the full span of products you’ll need depends largely on what type of birth you had — vaginal or C-section. Moms who deliver via C-section, for example, are more likely to need a heating pack for their incision sites, while moms who deliver vaginally will want items like witch hazel pads and even a special cushion to sit on.
Of course, the most convenient course is to stock up on the must-have postpartum products ahead of time — and since birth plans are subject to change, it can be helpful to have everything on hand. (You can always return or donate unused items later.)
The hospital generally provides sanitary pads, mesh underwear, toothpaste, a comb and mouthwash, says Kecia Gaither, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.O.G., a double board-certified OB/GYN and maternal fetal medicine doctor and director of perinatal services at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln in the Bronx in New York City. And if you encounter any health issues, like vaginal tearing, you will be given medications to address it, she adds. Hospitals are also stocked with healthcare basics like stool softener and over-the-counter pain relievers, should you need them.
It’s worth noting, though: Today, there are “upgraded” versions of many of the items the hospital provides. Take FridaMom’s peri bottle, for example (included below). Unlike the basic squirt bottle the hospital gives you, this one is ergonomically designed for ease of use and efficacy — a small, but worthy investment for many moms.
How we chose which postpartum must-haves you need after a vaginal birth
We combed through hundreds of posts in the What to Expect community for recommendations from moms and asked Dr. Gaither for her recommendations. We then thoroughly vetted each product, reading hundreds of reviews left by others in the postpartum period, to come up with a definitive list of products every woman should have on hand after a vaginal birth. Ahead, the final list of all-star postpartum recovery products for after a vaginal birth.
Why Trust Us?
What to Expect is the world’s most trusted pregnancy and parenting brand for a reason. Our product recommendations are based on expert parent insight, advice from medical professionals and feedback from the millions of parents and parents-to-be in our community. Our editors adhere to the highest research and reporting standards and our team of vetted OB/GYNs, pediatricians and other health professionals ensure our recommended products are safe and effective for you and your baby.
Maternity Pads
Depend Fresh Protection Adult Incontinence Underwear for Women

- Doesn’t bunch up
- High absorbency
- Relatively attractive
- May not be as absorbent as super-thick maxi pads
As your uterus sheds the blood and mucus it needed while you were pregnant, you’ll experience vaginal bleeding (known as lochia) that’s similar to a long and heavy period. While it will change in heaviness and color, you can expect to bleed for about four to six weeks after delivery. During this time, you’ll need to exclusively use some sort of pad, since tampons should be avoided during this time.
The hospital should provide you with a decent supply of super-absorbent maxi pads, but once your stockpile is used up, you’ll need something else. At this stage, many women prefer Depends to pads, since you’ll probably find them (overall) a bit more attractive, plus they don’t bunch and shift the same way pads can. Still, they’re highly absorbent, affording you at least a couple hours between changes.
Size: 18 pads
Postpartum Underwear
Nyssa Fourthwear Postpartum Recovery Underwear

- Includes ice pack pocket
- very soft
- high rise to help you feel secure
- More expensive than other options
Heavy postpartum bleeding may ruin your favorite pair of underwear, so underwear you’re not too attached to will be your best friend for the first few days after birth. This stretchy, breathable pair will keep you comfortable and keep your pads in place. And though they’re more expensive than the typical pair of undies, they’re a huge step up from the mesh variety the hospital provides. The belly-hugging design includes a built-in pocket to hold an ice or heat pack where you’ll need it most — between the legs and over the lower abdomen — after a vaginal birth. They’re also jet black, so you don’t have to worry too much about staining.
Material: 85 percent recycled polyester, 15 percent spandex
Sizes offered: XXS through 3X
Peri Bottle
Frida Mom Upside Down Peri Bottle

- Angled design
- easy to squeeze and refill
- Capacity is relatively small
A postpartum perineal hygiene routine is essential for relieving discomfort, especially if you have an episiotomy or tearing during a vaginal birth. Your doctor will recommend rinsing your perineum with warm water during and after urination. Frida Mom’s peri bottle has an angled neck to make it even easier to spray hard-to-reach areas — the key feature that makes it a cult-favorite. It holds 10 ounces of water and comes with a waterproof storage bag that can be used for travel, too.
Capacity: 10 ounces
Hemorrhoid Relief
Tucks Cooling Pads

- Disposable
- cooling and soothing
- fit easily on top of a pad
- Can be hard to keep in place
Many hospitals provide Tucks medicated cooling pads — and for good reason. The highly cooling and soothing witch hazel-soaked circles work wonders on irritated areas. You can place one or two atop your pad for up to 15 minutes up to six times a day for instant soothing. Alternatively, you can use one of these medicated pads to dab the area after going to the bathroom. Either way, you’ll feel immediate and lasting relief from burning and itching. And since each box comes with 100, you'll have plenty on hand.
Size: 100 pads
Doughnut Pillow
Boppy Original Nursing Support Pillow

- Versatile product
- interchangeable and washable covers
- Some wish it was bigger
If you’re exceptionally sore down there after a vaginal delivery, you’ll want something soft to sit on — and sometimes a couch or a bed simply isn’t soft enough. An orthopedic donut pillow can help keep your rear lifted, taking the pressure off that swollen and painful area, but these items can be pricey — especially if you don’t plan to use them for longer than a few days to a week or so. A Boppy pillow is a great alternative, since it’s so versatile. Use it to relieve the pains associated with your own aching body, to help you breastfeed more comfortably and to prop baby up.
Perineal Cooling Pad
Medline Perineal Cold Packs

- Disposable
- no freezing required
- soft fabric
- Some moms say they’re too big
- no adhesive on standard version
Applying a cooling pad to your perineum for the first couple of days following a vaginal delivery helps to reduce discomfort. While homemade padsicles will do the job, they require precious time to make, plus take up some of your freezer space. That’s why so many moms appreciate these disposable Medline Perineal Cold Packs, which don’t need to be frozen: Simply crack the pack for instant cold therapy and insert it into your underwear. Some reviewers also report that they’re absorbent for postpartum bleeding protection, too.
Dimensions: 4.5 x 14.25 inches (each pad)
Size: 24 pads
Perineal Spray
Dermoplast Pain, Burn & Itch Spray

- Soothing
- easy to spray
- uses beyond postpartum period
- May sting a bit at first
- nozzle occasionally clogs
Talk to your doctor about using a numbing agent in a spray, cream, ointment or pad to relieve postpartum perineal pain. Dermoplast’s spray contains benzocaine, aloe, lanolin and menthol to soothe and moisturize damaged skin. Bonus: It has uses well beyond delivery, relieving the discomfort of all types of scrapes, cuts, burns and insect bites. (As mentioned, you’ll just want to make sure your practitioner gives you the green light first.)
Size: 2.75 ounces
Stool Softener
MiraLax

- Easy to mix with whatever you’re drinking
- flavorless
- Included stirrers aren’t necessary
Between constipation-causing pain medications and simply feeling nervous to go to the bathroom after delivery, it’s normal to be stopped up post-delivery. Many moms also experience hemorrhoids carried over from pregnancy or from pushing during delivery, adding to the discomfort with bowel movements.
To battle postpartum constipation and get your system back on track, fill up on fiber, drink plenty of water and take short, leisurely walks. With your doctor’s approval, you may want to try a mild laxative. Miralax, which is sold as a powder, is a popular option among new moms — especially because the flavorless powder can be added to whatever drink you’re already imbibing without altering the taste. The cap acts as a built-in measuring tool for the powder, which makes it super easy to prepare.
Size: 8.3 ounces per bottle (14 doses)
Pain Reliever
Advil Liqui-Gels

- Easy to find
- use beyond postpartum
- Capsules are relatively large
The last uterine contractions unfortunately don’t end once baby arrives. Abdominal cramps, known as afterpains, can come on strongly the second and third days after giving birth, and can last seven to 10 days after delivery as your uterus contracts. You may also experience perineal discomfort and pain from your vaginal delivery, particularly if you had stitches. The good news: It’s safe to pop ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin) again after pregnancy and even while breastfeeding (as long as your doctor hasn’t advised you otherwise — remember, it’s always best to ask your practitioner before starting any new medication).
Size: 200 capsules
Game-Changing Bidet
Tushy Classic 3.0 Bidet

- Easy to install
- adjustable water pressure
- use beyond postpartum period
- Sensitive pressure control
- can be tricky to clean properly
After a vaginal birth, there’s no question that your downstairs area will be sensitive — even if you’re not facing issues like a tear or hemorrhoids. Many postpartum mothers swear by bidets, since it eliminates the need to apply lots of toilet paper to the area. The Tushy Classic 3.0 is well-loved by moms (and people in general), because it’s incredibly easy to install and has adjustable pressure to suit your needs. As a nice bonus, it comes in a wide range of colors, so you can choose something to match your bathroom seamlessly — a great alternative to a professionally-installed bidet. And while you might think this would be difficult to install, Tushy says it takes less than nine minutes for a standard toilet.
Professional installation required: No
- American Academy of Family Physicians, Recovering from Delivery (Postpartum Recovery), August 2020.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Postpartum Pain Management, October 2020.
- Cleveland Clinic, Pregnancy: Physical Changes After Delivery, January 2018.
- Kecia Gaither, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.O.G., Double Board-Certified OB/GYN and Maternal Fetal
- Medicine Doctor and Director of Perinatal Services, NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, Bronx, New York.
- KidsHealth from Nemours, Recovering From Delivery, June 2018.
- Mass General Brigham Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Postpartum Pain Management.
- Mayo Clinic, Vaginal Tears in Childbirth, January 2022.
- University of Rochester Medical Center, After Delivery.
- University of Rochester Medical Center, Common Conditions.
- University of Rochester Medical Center, Pain Management.