What Is a Sitz Bath? How to Use One After Birth
Nobody tells you that sitting down is going to become a whole THING after birth. Stitches, swelling, a perineum that's just done the stretch of its life… and suddenly the couch feels like a bed of nails.
Enter the humble sitz bath. If you've seen it on a hospital bag list and thought "what is a sitz bath, and do I actually need one?", this one's for you, mama. Using a sitz bath after birth is one of those old-school, simple things that a lot of mamas swear by, and it costs you nothing more than warm water and ten quiet minutes.
Here's what it is, how to use one, and when to call your midwife instead.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended as medical advice. Always check with your lead maternity carer (LMC) if you have concerns.
What is a sitz bath?
A sitz bath is a shallow, warm-water soak for your perineum, the area between your vagina and your bum. "Sitz" comes from the German word for "sit", which is exactly what you do. You're not having a full bath, you're just sitting in a few centimetres of warm water so the sore area is covered.
You can do it two ways:
- A sitz bath that sits on your toilet: like our Hot Seat Sitz Bath. It sits right on your toilet seat, you fill it with warm water, sit down, and soak. No waiting for a whole bath to fill, no climbing in and out of the tub with a fresh perineum. SO much easier.
- Your normal bath: just a few centimetres of warm water, enough to cover your perineum when you sit down. Works, but it's a lot more faff when you're bleeding, sore and have a newborn on your hip.
The NZ College of Midwives suggests sitting in a few inches of warm water as one way to ease stinging after birth. Simple. Unsexy. Very effective at making you feel human again.
Does a sitz bath help after birth?
For a lot of mamas, YES. Warm water is soothing, it can ease that tight, throbbing feeling, and it's a gentle way to keep the area clean without rubbing or wiping. Michigan Medicine describes sitz baths as helping with pain relief, relaxation and wound healing.
Mamas tend to reach for one when they've got:
- Stitches from a tear or episiotomy
- General swelling, bruising or tenderness (even with no tear at all)
- Haemorrhoids, which pregnancy and pushing LOVE to gift you
- That "everything down there is angry" feeling in the first week or two
It's not a magic fix, and it doesn't replace your midwife checking your stitches. But as a little daily comfort ritual? Chef's kiss.
How to use a sitz bath after birth
Here's the easy version, using our Hot Seat Sitz Bath:
- Give the Hot Seat a wash and rinse. Keep her just for this job.
- Pop her on your toilet seat. Lift the toilet lid, sit the Hot Seat on the seat, and you're set up.
- Fill with warm water, not hot. Comfortably warm, like a nice bath for a baby. Hot water on swollen, healing skin is not the vibe.
- Add your soak. Pop in our Postpartum Healing Bath Soak, made with Hypericum & Calendula tincture and The Good Witch Hazel (more on that below).
- Sit and soak for around 10–15 minutes. Bring your phone, a drink bottle, or just close your eyes. Your perineum should be covered by the water.
- Pat dry gently, front to back. Use a clean, soft towel. No rubbing.
- Pop on a fresh pad and finish with a spritz of Healing Postpartum Spray.
Then tip the water into the loo, rinse the Hot Seat, and she's ready for next time.
Keep a towel and a clean pad within reach before you sit down, because you'll still be bleeding and standing up halfway through to grab things is a hard no.
How long and how often should you sit in a sitz bath?
Guidance varies a little, but most sources land around 10–15 minutes, a couple of times a day. Michigan Medicine suggests about 10 minutes, three times a day. The NHS says baths can be soothing, but to try not to sit in the bath for more than 20 minutes each time, because staying in too long can slow healing.
So: short and regular beats long and wrinkly. And if you're too tired to do it three times a day? Once is still lovely. This is support, not homework.
What can you put in a sitz bath?
Plain warm water works on its own. But if you want to turn your sitz bath into a proper little healing ritual, this is where our Postpartum Healing Bath Soak comes in.
She's handmade with natural botanicals, including a Hypericum & Calendula tincture (the same OG duo in our Healing Postpartum Spray) and The Good Witch Hazel, and she comes in a biodegradable bag. Pop her in your Hot Seat with warm water and let her do her thing. That's exactly what we designed the two of them to do together.
What to skip: bubble bath, perfumed soaps and anything heavily scented. The NHS says to avoid perfumed soaps on healing skin. The NZ College of Midwives notes hypericum and calendula are used for healing and suggests checking with your midwife that they're right for you, so give your LMC a heads up before you start.
Can you have a sitz bath with stitches?
Generally yes, and this is one of the main reasons mamas use them. Warm water rinsing and short soaks are a gentle way to keep stitches clean. The NHS notes that most stitches start to dissolve after about ten days and are usually completely gone by six weeks, and that it's normal to spot little bits of stitch material when you're washing or on the loo.
If you've had a more significant tear or any complications, ask your midwife or LMC what they recommend for you.
What about after a c-section?
If you had a belly birth, a sitz bath isn't usually something you'll need for your scar, as you're only soaking your perineum. But if you laboured or pushed before your caesarean, you might still be swollen or sore down there, or have haemorrhoids, and a sitz bath can still be a comfort. Keep your incision dry and out of the water, and follow your LMC's advice on bathing after surgery.
What actually helps (alongside your sitz bath)
A sitz bath works best as part of a little bathroom recovery routine:
- The Hot Seat Sitz Bath: sits on your toilet, fill with warm water, sit, soak, done. For when sitting down suddenly feels like a big deal.
- Postpartum Healing Bath Soak: her perfect partner. Hypericum & Calendula tincture plus The Good Witch Hazel, straight into your Hot Seat.
- Peri Wash Bottle: for every wee in between soaks. Warm water while you pee takes the sting out and means no wiping.
- Healing Postpartum Spray: a spritz after you pat dry, so you never have to touch or rub sore skin.
Our range is NZ formulated, made for the mamas actually going through it. Use what feels good and skip what doesn't.
When to call your midwife, GP or LMC
A sore perineum is normal after birth, and it should slowly get better, not worse. The NHS advises getting in touch with your midwife or GP if:
- Your perineum becomes hot, swollen, weepy, smelly or very painful
- Stitches or a repaired tear look like they're opening
- You develop a temperature or flu-like symptoms
Also call your LMC if pain or itching gets worse after a sitz bath, you're passing large clots or soaking pads quickly, or something just feels off. Trust that gut feeling, mama.
Emergency? Call 111. Not sure and can't reach your LMC? Call Healthline free, any time, on 0800 611 116.
Frequently asked questions
What is a sitz bath used for after birth?
A sitz bath is a shallow, warm-water soak for your perineum. After birth it's mostly used to soothe soreness, swelling, stitches and haemorrhoids, and to keep the area clean without wiping.
How soon after birth can I have a sitz bath?
Many mamas start in the first few days, but there's no one-size-fits-all answer. Ask your midwife or LMC when it's right for you, especially if you've had stitches or a complicated birth.
Should a sitz bath be warm or cold?
Most guidance recommends warm, not hot, water. Some mamas also like cooling relief like ice packs or padsicles in the first day or two, then warm soaks after that. Go with what feels soothing and check with your midwife if unsure.
How long should I sit in a sitz bath?
Around 10–15 minutes is common. The NHS suggests not soaking for more than 20 minutes at a time, as staying in too long can slow healing.
Do I need a special sitz bath, or can I use my bath?
You can use your normal bath with a few centimetres of warm water. But a sitz bath that sits on your toilet, like our Hot Seat, is quicker and easier, especially when getting in and out of the tub feels like a mission.
What should I put in my sitz bath?
Warm water works on its own, or add a gentle postpartum soak like our Healing Bath Soak with Hypericum, Calendula and Witch Hazel. Avoid perfumed soaps or bubble bath, and check with your midwife before adding herbs or salts.
You just did something enormous, mama. Ten minutes sitting in warm water is the least your body deserves. 💗
— Stevie & the VLV team
Read next: Healing Your Perineum After Birth | Haemorrhoids and Constipation in Pregnancy and Postpartum
Shop: The Hot Seat Sitz Bath | Postpartum Healing Bath Soak | Peri Wash Bottle
