Intimate hygiene during pregnancy and after childbirth

When I found out I was going to be a mother, my first instinct was to deal with questionable ingredients and cosmetics that were not safe during pregnancy. And while it was easy for me to find a good body lotion or face cosmetics, I have to admit that I had quite a problem when it came to intimate hygiene fluid for pregnant women (liquid, gel, foam – anything that a pregnant person could use to wash their intimate areas without the risk of irritation).

I literally searched all possible sites in search of the "golden" mean. Only now I know that this one has not existed yet! ;)

Finally I found it! Gentle, with a short and safe composition , which met almost all my requirements. Its only downside was that it did not have a pump, so I had to pour it into a container with a dispenser. The pump is quite important, it allows for easier and more hygienic use of the product.

What changed after giving birth?

I gave birth to a child and started casting again among the products I used. Only the unscented ones made it to the next stage , because my child turned out to be extremely sensitive to smells . I gave up my favorite perfumes, laundry detergents, shower gels for years, until I finally stuck with intimate hygiene fluid once again. The midwife at the hospital recommended regular soap as ideal for washing after giving birth. However, soap never did my skin any good, I couldn't imagine using it to wash the most delicate parts.

And in the postpartum period? To put it mildly: I wasn't convinced.

Why is hygiene during pregnancy so important?

Because the birth canal is a place exposed to infections . And avoiding infections during pregnancy plays a big role, so you should pay special attention to the hygiene of intimate areas.

Hormonal changes during pregnancy adversely affect the vaginal microflora, which is why it is more susceptible to, for example, mycosis.

What infections are most common during pregnancy?

The most common are yeast infections , which occur when the balance of yeast and acids in the vagina is disturbed. These infections increase the risk of premature birth (in the mechanism of ruptured membranes - ascending infection) or miscarriage (in the case of those untreated or improperly treated).

Another example is bacterial vaginosis , which in turn results from an imbalance between bacteria and beneficial lactobacilli.

What to avoid?

Remember that fragrances are often irritating and allergenic, and therefore cause itching and redness . Intimate areas should not be washed with alkaline soap , which can also dry and irritate.

It is important to use intimate hygiene fluid only for the external intimate areas (mound and labia), because the vagina itself (i.e. the internal part) cleans itself perfectly and does not need any fluid for this.

Also watch out for SLS and SLES in the composition. These are substances that are designed to create foam, but in the case of people with particularly delicate skin, they can irritate and dry it out .

It is worth adding that all irrigations are also very harmful - they can only wash out good bacteria, irritate and thus increase the risk of infection. They should not be used during pregnancy and postpartum, as well as on a daily basis.

So, is it safe to use intimate hygiene fluid during pregnancy?

First of all: don't give up on hygiene. You won't harm yourself (or your baby, for that matter) if you choose the right, gentle product that will help you soothe all kinds of irritations and cleanse your vulva without disturbing the vagina's pH balance.

Vulvar washing is necessary to prevent the accumulation of vaginal secretions, sweat, and urine and to avoid fecal contamination.

So what is the best intimate hygiene fluid for pregnant women?

The best intimate hygiene fluid for pregnancy is mild, safe and fragrance-free . It should contain soothing substances (such as allantoin). It is also good if it supports maintaining the correct pH , so it contains, for example, lactic acid. The correct pH level in the intimate area is crucial if you want to avoid infections (and they love to take advantage of the opportunity when this balance is disturbed). Choose a product that provides balance in this respect and will not expose your vulva to unnecessary discomfort.

What intimate hygiene fluid should you use during pregnancy to combat infections?

I have come across this question on more than one forum and group for expectant parents. This issue really needs to be emphasized: cleansing the vulva can be a useful addition to treatment, but products for washing intimate areas are not intended to treat infections.

What do you need to know about the pH of intimate hygiene fluid? You can find all the information here .

Okay, and what about the postpartum period?

The birth canal never returns to its pre-birth state (regardless of the type of birth) – the body changes irreversibly, and these changes simply have to be accepted. Your body has done a titanic job and it deserves enormous respect for it!

During the puerperium, the uterine lining rebuilds . The fetal membranes are normally excreted in one piece with the placenta. Leaving them in the uterus can lead to puerperal infection. The remaining tissues, together with blood, exit through the vagina as puerperal feces .

Immediately after delivery, the discharge resembles menstrual bleeding, then in the following days it becomes brownish-red, then yellowish, and finally mucous. Spotting can last up to 6 weeks, which is usually how long the postpartum period itself lasts (although this is actually an individual matter for each of us).

What intimate hygiene fluid should I use after giving birth?

During the postpartum period, intimate areas face many challenges. These are often wounds (after tears or surgical incision of the episiotomy), but also the aforementioned postpartum feces, which leave the birth canal with varying intensity. For this reason, they need to be washed frequently, after each visit to the toilet.

The most important rules are: washing from front to back so as not to transfer bacteria from the anus, drying with a paper towel (disposable) and washing hands thoroughly after using the toilet and washing .

Intimate hygiene fluid after childbirth, in the postpartum period or for the hospital is in fact the same product as intimate hygiene fluid for pregnancy. If we use the right (safe and gentle) product during pregnancy, we do not have to change it after the baby is born .

If you are also wondering whether you can use the same product during the postpartum period that you used during pregnancy, I hasten to answer: of course, as long as your liquid or gel has a natural composition and meets your expectations. This is especially important for people prone to allergies and irritations. Do not give up on a product that you are certain about in this respect and that did not cause you any allergies.

What else do your intimate areas need?

One of the elements of postpartum hygiene is definitely airing out intimate areas (no matter how that sounds). Remember that moisture promotes the accumulation of bacteria - nothing works as well for a healing wound as airing out.

You should also take care of the right clothing . During the postpartum period, try to wear dresses, longer shirts or loose, soft, cotton trousers. Choose comfortable underwear (preferably cotton). If you can afford it, lie around a lot without panties, with your legs slightly apart (which is why a dress is the recommended option in this case).

Products prohibited during childbirth

During the postpartum period, neither tampons nor menstrual cups should be used . After birth, there is a large wound in the uterus that needs to heal. In addition, by inserting any of these sanitary products into the vagina, we would be retaining postpartum feces, which could lead to infection.

What else should you remember?

After giving birth, you should drink a lot of water (even though your bladder is relaxed and doesn't need it as much as it does during pregnancy). By drinking about 3 liters of water a day, you will eliminate excess fluids from your body even faster. This is also important in the context of lactation (if you are breastfeeding).

And most importantly: if you have any concerns about your intimate health, do not hesitate to discuss your concerns with your doctor.