Postpartum Pain? This Hack Can Provide Relief During Recovery

It’s doctor-approved and super easy to DIY, too!

Published on Aug 6, 2025

Caring for a tiny human in your womb and giving birth are no small feats, which is why new moms like you deserve extra attention during your postpartum recovery or fourth trimester. In the first few weeks after childbirth, you’re likely to feel sore all over, whether it’s from the laborious delivery or caring for your newborn. You’ll need all the relief you can get, and one way to ease those postpartum pains is through a padsicle.

What is a Padsicle?

Padsicle is a play on the words “pad” and “popsicle.” It’s basically a frozen sanitary or maternity pad used to alleviate pain in your perineal area that may occur after childbirth, especially if you went through a vaginal delivery.

Dr. Desiree Anne Valles-Pampolina, an obstetrician-gynecologist at The Medical City, tells Smart Parenting that you can expect some vaginal soreness as your body slowly returns to its non-pregnant state. This period can last anywhere from one to four weeks postpartum, depending on the severity of the lacerations.

“The presence of soreness and pain is not dependent on whether or not the woman has had an episiotomy (a surgical cut made at the opening of the vagina during childbirth). The source of discomfort can also come from stretching of the birth canal during prolonged labor and bearing down, or from inflamed hemorrhoids,” she explains.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends applying an ice pack to the perineal area for 10 to 20 minutes at a time for moms who experience pain from perineal tears. But padsicles can be even more comforting. They’re soft, perfectly-shaped for where you need relief, and offer soothing coolness down below.

Click to Enlarge

Photo courtesy of Lavisha Patricia Calata Shamdasani.

Make Your Own Padsicle

Padsicles are really easy to DIY. The best part is you can conveniently stash them inside the freezer before birth so they’re ready to use whenever you need quick relief.

Here’s everything you need to make one:

Aluminum foil

Maxi pads or maternity pads

Alcohol-free witch hazel

100% pure unscented aloe vera gel

100% pure lavender essential oil (optional)

The combination of ice, aloe vera, and witch hazel can decrease inflammation and swelling in the vaginal area, soothing the body and reducing pain. Aloe vera has analgesic properties, while witch hazel is said to minimize bruising and relieve itching, especially if you have hemorrhoids. Both natural remedies are also known for their anti-inflammatory properties.

The use of lavender essential oil offers a calming effect. Along with its inflammatory benefits, it may benefit moms who feel anxious or stressed.

“Since it is a cheaper alternative to over-the-counter or prescription pain medication, it’s definitely a good pain-relief option for Filipino moms,” says Dr. Valles-Pampolina, OB-GYN at The Medical City.

Before making your own padsicle, remember to test out any additional ingredients, especially aloe vera and witch hazel, on a small area of your skin. Check for any allergic reactions to the ingredients before using them extensively.

Once you’re ready to make your padsicle, follow these steps:

Step one

Get a piece of aluminum foil big enough to wrap around your pad.

Step two

Get the maternity pad and lay it on top of the foil. Remove the adhesive tabs to fully open the pad, making sure it sticks to the foil.

Step three

Squeeze 100% pure unscented aloe vera on the surface of the pad. Spread it around using a clean finger or utensil (like a spoon) and coat the pad thoroughly.

Step four

Apply or spray alcohol-free witch hazel over the pad.

Step five

As an optional step, you can also add one to two drops of lavender essential oil to your pad.

Step six

Cover the pad with the aluminum foil and place it inside the freezer. Repeat the steps for the rest of the maternity pads.

Fourth Trimester Care For Moms: A Comprehensive Guide

Here's everything you need to know about the fourth trimester and how to maximize it

How to Use Padsicles

What makes padsicles so convenient is that you can use them just like a regular pad. Simply remove the pad from the freezer, let it thaw for a few minutes (so it’s not too cold on the skin), and place it in your underwear.

You can wear padsicles as long as you like, but don’t leave them on for too long, as it may slow down blood circulation, which is equally essential for healing. Remember to test the ingredients you plan to use, like aloe vera and witch hazel.

If you’re worried about leakage, you can wear it with an adult diaper to help absorb water as the pad melts, as well as excess menstrual bleeding.

Things to Remember

While padsicles are doctor-approved, they may not be the same for those other postpartum care tips you see online. It’s still best to ask your OB-GYN before testing any of these out.

“These online tips might seem harmless, and it might be tempting to try them out for yourself immediately. But confusion regarding methodology and improper execution of these tips could potentially do more harm than good,” shares Dr. Valles-Pampolina.

And while handy tools like a padsicle may offer much-needed comfort while you deal with postpartum pain, what you really need to focus on is proper recovery after childbirth. The postpartum period is all about healing and adjusting, so focus and care for yourself just like you do for your little one.

Take it slow, listen to your body, and follow your doctor's advice. You’ll be back on your feet before you know it!

Here's how moms can care for their bodies after giving birth.