Caring For your Perineum After Childbirth

I just found out today that some women, after childbirth, literally get their perineum (vagina inclusive) burnt. This is usually ordered by older women who claim it is "the normal thing". Thus subjecting these younger women to unnecessary pain.
In some extreme cases causing burning and death of involved tissues especially the labia (vaginal lips). All these lead to loss of integrity (and ugliness) of the labia, change of colour and other long term effects.

It's important for women to know the right thing to do to their perineum after childbirth in order not to fall victim of this crude practice.
Yes, there is a medically recommended (and beneficial) practice for women immediately after childbirth. It is called "sitz bath".

This is the right way to do it:

1. Get a large bowl which is wide and strong enough to hold your buttocks.
2. Pour WARM water in it. Warm water (not hot).
3. Pour TABLE SALT in the water and keep pouring it until the saturation point is reached. This is when you can start seeing salt particles at the bottom of the bowl
You may need up to (or more than) one sachet before the salt starts showing particles.
4. Sit in the water for 15-30 minutes. Making sure that water reaches the vaginal and anal openings. You may need to use their hands to part the folds in the way to achieve this.
5. Get up and rinse your body thoroughly with normal warm water.
6. Do this twice daily (morning and evening).
It works magic when done well.


In conclusion, do not let anybody burn your perineum with HOT water, metal or fire lamp after childbirth!
Sitz bath is the right thing to do.