There’s really no way to sugar coat it: postpartum sucks!
You’re exhausted, swollen, in pain and, oh yeah, you can’t just fall down and sleep for a week like you’d like to because you’ve got a newborn baby who needs you.
One of the hardest parts of postpartum is dealing with the physical toll childbirth takes on your body. Even the simple act of peeing isn’t easy after delivering a baby.
Tearing, grazing, stitches, swelling, catheter use during
It won’t last… but when you’re peeing out all that extra water retention, and dying of thirst every time you breastfeed… it sure seems like it’s going on forever…
What can you do about it?
Note: this blog post probably contains affiliate links, which means we may receive small commissions from purchases made through links in this post (at NO extra cost to you). You can read our full disclosure for more information.
Why Does It Hurt to Pee Postpartum?
It stings.
Why?
Basically, urine is quite acidic and if you’ve got ANY kind of cut, graze, tear or stitches down there in the firing line, it’s going to hurt like the blazes until your skin is healed over enough.
And of course, tearing, grazing and stitches are super common during childbirth.
What Helps with Painful Postpartum Urination?
What helps *YOU* pee postpartum might be different to what helps someone else – we all have slight differences to our anatomy down there and it’ll also depend on where your particular sore spots are.
For example, while it’s most common for moms to tear towards the perineum, you CAN tear forward instead and that’ll change things.
Here are some ideas you might find help… and just a quick note – you should probably check these with your doctor first to make sure they’re ok with you using them as they’re on top of any medical issues you have that might restrict your use of any of these things.
Peri Bottle
Some moms find using a peri bottle while they pee helps ease the pain – because it dilutes the pee.
A peri bottle is also great to have to keep clean down there – you’re not supposed to do any vigorous washing until after you’ve healed and the peri bottle flow is gentle enough to clean up without putting pressure on your stitches.
Oh and while your hospital might give you a peri bottle – this one is better. The angled head makes it way more convenient and the one way valve gives you a constant water pressure right when you need it!
Bottom Spray
You might like to try a numbing spray to help you pee – lots of moms love this brand and its often handed out at the hospital for your postpartum care.
Alternatively, this spray is very cooling, refreshing and soothing and some moms prefer that to the numbing spray (which can feel kinda weird).
Sitz Bath
Are you using a sitz bath already for its soothing and healing qualities? If so, you can try peeing in the bath before you get up. I know, it sounds so classy… but no one will know and the extra water around will help dilute the pee.
Read more here: Postpartum Sitz Bath: What Every New Mom Needs to Know
Neosporin
Some moms use this as a barrier cream over their stitches and sore bits. If the urine doesn’t touch your body, it can’t hurt.
Creative Positioning
Depending on where your sore bits are you might be able to avoid pain with some creative positions.
If you tore backwards – try leaning forwards at different angles, some moms recommend doubling over so far you can literally touch the toilet floor (but don’t actually touch it!)
If you tore forwards – try leaning back.
Standing up (in the shower) might be an option to try too – plus you get the benefit of running water as well.
Do whatever it takes to get the pee flowing away from the sore zone.
This Too Shall Pass
If all else fails, just remember the new mommy motto: this too shall pass! It works for pretty much every situation, ever, when it comes to pregnancy through child rearing. Even if it doesn’t feel like it will at the time.
