Angela Mead, age 20, from Leeds literally sailed through labour when she gave birth to her first child in the comfort of her own home May this year. So much so, that she didn't require any form of pain relief.
However, Angela, who required stitches following a spontaneous tear to her perineum, said that the first 24 hours as a new Mum were pure hell, marred by excruciating pain from the childbirth stitches.
"I was totally unprepared for the fact that my stitches turned out to be significantly more painful than labour itself, she said. "For the first 24 hours, there was so much swelling and bruising that I couldn't walk or even sit down, which made breastfeeding virtually impossible I had to lie down to feed my baby which when you're new to breastfeeding, doesn't help.
"My midwife suggested taking paracetamol, but it didn't seem to dull the pain at all. By day two I was still in agony, beside myself with pain and rendered virtually immobile. On a mission of mercy, a close friend did some research and recommended that I try the femé Pad, continued Angela.
"After eagerly waiting for 2 hours whilst the pad cooled in the freezer, I was absolutely amazed - the effect was instant. The pad cooled and almost numbed the stitches which had given me so much constant pain as well as cushioning the area. I was able to sit down for the first time since giving birth. Being introduced to the femé Pad allowed me to concentrate on the important things, like mastering the art of breastfeeding and bonding with my baby.
"For me, the femé Pad was far more effective than taking pain killers and, because it is a natural product, I was comfortable about using it and confident that it would not harm either myself of my baby.
Angela is not alone. Research evidence demonstrates that an estimated 85%-95% of women who have a vaginal birth will sustain some degree of genital tract trauma (Albers et al, 1999; Williams et al, 1998) and approximately 69%-70%) will require stitches of either a spontaneous tear or an episiotomy. (Kettle, 2005)
"My story finished with a happy ending, but I can't begin to imagine how others in a similar situation would cope without the femé Pad. In my opinion, the femé Pad should feature in all expectant Mums hospital overnight bags just in case!
