Coming in late here, but I just had a vague recollection, I think when I was getting stitched up with my first, they gave me a pessary? I was sucking on the gas quite enthusiastically at that point (I laboured with no drugs but when the needles came out it was a different story! ) so the memory is hazy but I think that's right.

Vital post-birth toileting accessory are definitely the flushable wipes. Far more comfy and cool and refreshing than dry loo paper, and handy for providing that counter-pressure others have mentioned when doing #2s.