An ice pack on the perineum is applied for 10 to 20 minutes, several times a day if needed, always in a cover and never directly on the skin. It is most useful in the first two to three days, when swelling and pain are at their worst.
It is one of the simplest gestures of the postnatal period, and one of the most appreciated. You still need to know how long to keep it on, how often to put it back and which precautions to take. Here is how to use it, step by step.
Key points
- 10 to 20 minutes per application, several times a day if needed.
- Always a cover or a cloth between the pack and the skin.
- Cold is most useful in the first days; you can carry on as long as it helps.
- After an epidural, wait until the feeling has come back.
What is an ice pack for after giving birth?
Cold tightens the small blood vessels in the area. It limits swelling, numbs the pain and calms burning sensations. It helps after a tear or an episiotomy, but also after a long push with no stitches at all, and for haemorrhoids.
There are few studies, but they suggest that cold relieves perineal pain in the 24 to 72 hours after the birth. It is a simple, low-risk gesture, provided you follow a few rules.
How long should I keep an ice pack on the perineum?
10 to 20 minutes per application. Beyond that, cold brings no extra benefit and the skin may suffer. Remove the pack sooner if the skin turns very red or very white, if it stings painfully or if you can no longer feel the area at all.
Between applications, let the skin return to its normal temperature: allow at least an hour. You can repeat several times a day, as needed.
How do I use an ice pack, step by step?
- Put the pack in the freezer at least two hours before using it. At the maternity unit, ask the team to keep it cold.
- Slide it into its cover, or wrap it in a clean, thin cloth.
- Lie on your back or your side, and place the pack in your knickers, against the pad, without pressing.
- Keep it on for 10 to 20 minutes, then remove it.
- Put the pack back in the freezer and wash the cover regularly.
The pack is personal: for hygiene reasons, do not lend it.
For how many days should I use cold?
Cold is most useful in the first two to three days, when swelling is at its peak. You can then carry on as long as it helps, for example at the end of the day, when the feeling of heaviness returns. If the pain gets worse over the days instead of easing, talk to your midwife.
What rhythm, depending on the moment?
| When | Duration | How often | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| First hours | 10 to 20 minutes | As soon as the team suggests it | Wait for the feeling to come back after an epidural |
| Days 1 to 3 | 10 to 20 minutes | Several times a day, with at least an hour's break | This is when swelling is at its worst |
| Days 4 to 10 | 10 to 15 minutes | As needed | At the end of the day, when the heaviness returns |
| Haemorrhoids | 10 minutes | As needed | Always in the cover |
| After a caesarean | 10 to 20 minutes | As needed | Around the scar or on the lower back, never on a fresh wound |
What precautions should I take?
- Never put cold directly on the skin.
- Never more than 20 minutes at a time.
- No pack while you sleep.
- Not while the area is still numb from the epidural.
- Not on an open wound.
- If you have a circulation or sensation disorder, ask your midwife or doctor first.
Gel pack, ice cubes or frozen pad: which should I choose?
Home-made options exist: ice cubes in a sealed bag, wrapped in a flannel, or a bag of frozen vegetables in a cloth. They will do in a pinch, but the ice melts, gets wet, and the shape does not follow the perineum well. A gel pack designed for the perineum stays supple when cold, fits the area and goes back in the freezer between uses. In any case, avoid hard blocks placed directly against the vulva.
The ice pack chosen by beboon
Pour notre sélection, nous avons retenu la poche de glace périnéale Maholi : fabriquée en France, un gel d'origine naturelle et deux housses certifiées Oeko-Tex, lavables en machine. Elle fait aussi partie du Coffret Essentiel. Pour la durée en bref, voyez aussi notre réponse sur
Frequently asked questions
How long should I keep an ice pack on the perineum?
10 to 20 minutes per application, always in its cover. Beyond that, cold brings nothing more and can irritate the skin.
How many times a day should I use ice?
Several times a day if you need it, letting the skin warm up between applications, for at least an hour.
Does cold slow down healing?
Used for 10 to 20 minutes with a cover, there is nothing to suggest that cold hinders healing. It reduces swelling, which pulls on the stitches. Just avoid putting it on an open wound.
Can I sleep with an ice pack?
No. While you sleep, you cannot feel the cold becoming too intense. Always remove the pack before falling asleep.
Cold or heat for the perineum?
Cold, especially in the first days, when the perineum is swollen. Heat increases swelling: keep it for the lower tummy and back, for afterpains.
Does an ice pack soothe haemorrhoids?
Yes, cold soothes them. Apply it in its cover for about ten minutes. If the discomfort persists, ask your midwife or pharmacist for a local treatment.
Should I take my ice pack to the maternity unit?
Yes, with its cover. Ask as soon as you arrive whether the team can keep it in the freezer. It belongs in the hospital bag checklist.
A gesture that is often enough
Cold does not do everything. But in the first days, a few minutes lying down with an ice pack often bring more relief than you would expect. To place this gesture within your recovery, read our article on pain after giving birth.
Sources
- East C. E. et al., Local cooling for relieving pain from perineal trauma sustained during childbirth, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2012
- French College of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians (CNGOF), Clinical practice guidelines: the postpartum period, 2015
- French national health insurance (ameli.fr), the postnatal period and perineal care after giving birth
Updated on 28 September 2026. This information does not replace the advice of your midwife or doctor.
