The invention provides a cooling pad 110 for alleviation of pain or discomfort, especially in the perineum as a result of childbirth. The pad 110 has at least one chamber 116 containing a fluid (such as saline) for cooling. There is at least one aperture 126 for allowing passage of body fluid. The aperture 126 is located inboard of the chamber 116.

Aperture 126 is formed in a web 124.

Cooling pad 110 may be used alone or as part of an assembly, sandwiched between cover layer 130 and peel-off backing 132, and is intended to be placed in a freezer prior to use.

A body-contoured, T-shaped pad is designed to treat trauma to the perineal region of a new mother or other patient. The pad design may include specially designed T-shaped pad portions, an integrated ice pack, and relative positioning of the layers which combine to provide both cooling properties and proper absorption. For example, the pad includes an absorptive layer next to the skin, with an ice bag next to the absorptive layer which is designed to accept ice chips from commonly available ice machines found in hospital settings. The size and configuration of the pad assembly is designed for comfort, mobility, and compatibility with a patient's own undergarments. This design provides a cost-effective, single pad assembly which combines infection control with proper absorbency, provides high levels of patient comfort, and protects the dignity of the patient.

An intra-uterine device for treating post-partum hemorrhage (PPH) is described, along with an applicator system. In embodiments, the PPH device is comprised of a mesh pouch that is filled with a plurality of sponges. Each sponge is designed to expand upon absorption of fluids, such as blood. The collective expansion of the sponges within the mesh pouch causes the PPH device to expand within a patient's uterus, thus applying pressure to stanch blood flow. The PPH device is loaded into an applicator which is then inserted into a patient, and a corresponding plunger is used to deploy the PPH device. Following completion of treatment, the PPH device may be removed using a removal strand attached to the pouch that is exposed outside of the patient.

The invention provides a cooling pad 110 for alleviation of pain or discomfort, especially in the perineum as a result of childbirth. The pad 110 has at least one chamber 116 containing a fluid (such as saline) for cooling. There is at least one aperture 126 for allowing passage of body fluid. The aperture 126 is located inboard of the chamber 116. Aperture 126 is formed in a web 124. Cooling pad 110 may be used alone or as part of an assembly, sandwiched between cover layer 130 and peel-off backing 132, and is intended to be placed in a freezer prior to use.

Devices for providing thermal therapy to the perineal and rectal areas of a patient are described. The device is particularly useful for containing gushing lochia flow. Different embodiments of the device can be used to provide either hot or cold therapy to the patient. The inventive thermal pack of the current invention comprises a thermal pouch, pad and a backing layer.

Panty underwear includes a removable pouch disposed above the crotch panel and between the leg openings. The pouch has a top opening opposite the wearer's vaginal opening, so that vaginal discharge flows to a sanitary napkin between the bottom of the pouch and the crotch panel. The pouch provides cooling to the wearer's labia and, in some embodiments, to her perineal area. The cooling is provided by either a single generally rectangular cooling pack with a central opening, or two cooling packs each being rectangular or J-shaped. The sanitary napkin can be internal or external to the pouch. Some embodiments of the underwear are intended for single use. Other embodiments of the underwear are intended to be re-usable, in that the sanitary napkin can be replaced and/or the cooling pack(s) can be re-used. The cooling pack(s) can be sealed with one-time or reusable thermal material therein, or they can be resealable with replaceable thermal material.

A postpartum undergarment apparatus for absorbing bodily fluids and facilitating healing after childbirth includes a garment which is worn around a hip of a user. The garment includes an absorbent member which is positioned to absorb vaginal blood that is released from wounds sustained during childbirth. The garment also includes a waistband which is stretchable so that it applies a compression force on a torso of the user near a fundus of a uterus of the user when worn. The compression force aids the uterus in contracting after childbirth and may accelerate a recovery process of the user.

Panty underwear includes a pouch disposed above the crotch panel and between the leg openings. The pouch has a top opening opposite the wearer's vaginal opening, so that vaginal discharge flows to a sanitary napkin between the bottom of the pouch and the crotch panel. The pouch provides cooling to the wearer's labia and, in some embodiments, to her perineal area. The cooling is provided by either a single generally rectangular cooling pack, or two cooling packs each being rectangular or J-shaped. The sanitary napkin can be internal or external to the pouch. Some embodiments of the underwear are intended for single use. Other embodiments of the underwear are intended to be re-usable, in that the sanitary napkin can be replaced and/or the cooling pack(s) can be re-used. The cooling pack(s) can be sealed with one-time or reusable thermal material therein, or they can be resealable with replaceable thermal material.

Devices for providing thermal therapy to the perineal and rectal areas of a patient are described. The device is particularly useful for containing gushing lochia flow. Different embodiments of the device can be used to provide either hot or cold therapy to the patient. The inventive thermal pack of the current invention comprises a thermal pouch, pad and a backing layer.

Devices for providing thermal therapy to the perineal and rectal areas of a patient are described. The device is particularly useful for containing gushing lochia flow. Different embodiments of the device can be used to provide either hot or cold therapy to the patient. The inventive thermal pack of the current invention comprises a thermal pouch, pad and a backing layer.