How To Make A Sitz Bath Without A Bathtub, Because You Need Relief

Your baby ripped you a new one, did they? No matter how severe the tear is, your doctor has probably recommended that you try a sitz bath. Sure, submerging your undercarriage in salt water may not sound appealing, but it helps. But what if you have no bathtub? Knowing how to make a sitz bath without a bathtub can offer you some sweet, sweet relief and, honestly, make you feel a little like MacGyver.

For people lucky enough to have a great big bathtub at home, taking a sitz bath is as easy as turning on the water and adding your ingredients before taking a dip. For the rest of us, though, it's a bit more challenging. The idea of a sitz bath is that the aromatherapy of the bath, combined with the soothing qualities of the salts and specific oils chosen and the blessed numbing power of witch hazel, work together to calm the savage beast that is now your vagina.

Witch hazel and I were besties for days after my third degree vaginal tear began really hurting postpartum. I used the Preparation H pads, the spray, and yes, the baths. Lots of them. All of them. I cannot overstate how bad my vagina hurt. At the time, I lived in an apartment with a less-than ideal tub. The spigot was in a weird place, the shower curtain rod was rickety, and also, I am 6 feet tall, so getting down and up that far in that tiny tub wasn't working. (Bending and squatting when your lady flower feels wilted is not fun.) But I made my way and now I can tell you all about how to make a sitz bath without a tub. Thankfully, it's easy and cheap.

Theoretically, you could use a basin full of warm water, your sitz mix of choice, and sit your bum in it, but that would be super uncomfortable and highly awkward. Nope, you're going to want to hit up Amazon or your local medical supply store. The product you're looking for is a basin that fits inside your toilet. Yep, I said toilet. Attached to it is a 200 milliliter bag that has a long tube and sprayer attachment. You'll fill the bag with warm water and either buy a pre-mix sitz bath, or mix your own from epsom salts, essential oils (lavender, myrrh, neroli, rose, grapefruit, mandarin, orange, and roman chamomile were found to be effective, according to a study by the Journal of the Korean Academy of Nursing), and, of course, witch hazel.

After you've placed the basin in the toilet and filled the bag, you just lower yourself ever so gently onto the seat, and spray away. It's very soothing and feels so nice after all that pain. However, it's important to note that you should talk to your OB-GYN about your specific after-care needs because no two births are alike, and what's good for me may be terrible for you. But if they tell you to try out a sitz bath and you're lacking a tub, know that you don't have to suffer alone — you, too, can turn your toilet into a vagina spa.