You have seen witch hazel pads, pinterest posts about how to line them on your postpartum pads to freeze + brands releasing new efficent ways of creating "padsicles".
If something is routinely done in mainstream medical care, we should always question its evidence and founding.
Just after vaginal or belly birth an icepack is usually provided to you as you move into your recovery room.
As soothing as they can be, the truth is they may actually hinder efficient healing progression for some.
They may be used in severe or high risk scenerios where excessive inflammation is of concern or the wound/injury calls for competent meassures of immediately stopping/decreasing swelling.
How to properly use cold therapy:
•Evaluate and determine your method of therapy according to your level of Wound/Surgery.
•Do not use for prolonged periods of time passed the 24-72hr mark postpartum if inflammation is stabalized and beginning to decrease.
Pros:
•Releases pain/discomfort in back, perineum, vagina, belly.
•Relieves stinging/burning
•Pros may outweigh cons the first hours/days postpartum.
Cons:
•Cold constricts which slows healing.
-Shocks the nervous system and vagas nerve diregulating digestive function affecting gut and bowel motility.
•Warmth is needed for proper tissue repair.
•The first few hours postpartum are some of the most fragile and crucial parts of the healing journey physically, mentally and emotionally which sets you off on your path into motherhood, proper healing it matters, routine continued cold therapy may be a hindrance for low risk individuals.
The creator of the RICE Protocol – Rest Ice Compression Elevation – has reviewed the latest research and is now recommending abandoning ice. While ice can reduce pain locally, it slows healing, increases stiffness in the muscles, reduces mobility of the muscles and makes the muscles weaker. None of these things are good for a mother with a swollen perineum, Belly, or Vagina.
The new recommendation is to BE CALM which stands for Breathe Evaluate Compression Able Actions ELevation and Minimal Ice.
The ice slows down the circulation to the area it’s applied to which runs counter to helping the healing process. And heat increases the circulation too much so that’s not the right solution, either.
According to the BE CALM Protocol we should allow “the inflammatory process to proceed at the rate appropriate to the level of injury.”
Inflammation is the second stage of wound healing and begins right after the injury when the injured blood vessels leak transudate (made of water, salt, and protein) causing localized swelling. Inflammation both controls bleeding and prevents infection.
The fluid engorgement allows healing and repair cells to move to the site of the wound. During the inflammatory phase, damaged cells, pathogens, and bacteria are removed from the wound area. These white blood cells, growth factors, nutrients and enzymes create the swelling, heat, pain and redness commonly seen during this stage of wound healing.
Inflammation is a natural part of the wound healing process and only problematic if prolonged or excessive.
Reducing heat and freezing the process with continuous applied frozen pads to the vagina/belly/perineum can slow the healing process and prevent it from properly occurring in its natural formation.
The Wombsisterhood advises using minimal cold therapy in low risk circumstances and the BE CALM Protocol allowing “the inflammatory process to proceed at the rate appropriate to the level of injury."
We also recommend steaming, heating pads, homeopathics and warm whole digestable foods for effective healing.
Learn more valuable updated evidence based information in The Wombsister Childbirth Class online.
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https://www.thewombsisterhood.com/product-page/pre-enroll-online-childbirth-education-program