Baths? (for mom)

ns1 · June 2014

So...the nurse who discharged me at the hospital said I couldn't take baths for ___ weeks (4 or 6, I don't remember exactly). I even made a funny face about it and she confirmed that I was not allowed to. I don't remember this with my first, but don't really remember much of the discharge instructions with her. But I was just looking over my discharge papers and it says I could shower or bathe normally unless instructed otherwise. What? I desperately want to relax in a bath...but then I second guess the safety of sitting in my own filth with all that just went on down there!

What were you all told about baths?

ETA: I had a vaginal delivery and a second degree tear (and therefore stitches) if that matters.

usernewname · June 2014

I was told it was no problem ... and I had stitches.

MW said sitz baths were great, and I specially asked if I could fill the whole tub and she said go for it. And I went for it

pistolpackinmomma · June 2014

I was told no until 6 weeks. I don't think I was told that with DS but like you don't remember much.

Nikkipal82 · June 2014

I had a c/s. I asked about it at an incision check at 4 weeks and she said it was fine.

cbrust · June 2014

I had a vagibal birth and two tears and was told baths were okay!

Hallil · June 2014

I was told plenty of baths, if possible even two or three little soaks per day either with herbs or Epsom salts. I listened and they made such a huge difference, even just for 5 or 10 minutes each. I also absolutely hate pads and crud so it was nice to get a break from that a couple times a day.

These instructions were for both girls, both vaginal deliveries and DD1 left quite a few stitches.

chillypenguin · June 2014

I had a vaginal delivery with an episiotomy and was told no baths for 6 weeks.

HARLEYSMOM2010 · June 2014

My midwife told me baths were ok and to even take LO in with me. For my first two I had tears and stitches and was never told no baths with number 3 I had no tear. I have yet to have a bath though even at 7 weeks old I'm just not a bath person

skyrockets · June 2014

My nurse encouraged baths with Epsom salts.

ns1 · June 2014

That's odd that people have been told both yes and no... I'm about to just give in and do it! I'm a bath fiend! It can't hurt hopefully... maybe I'll give my OB a call tomorrow just to be sure!

mamagerman · June 2014

Interesting. ..I had a third degree year and was told to take Epsom salt baths one to three times a day

mcnava · June 2014

hmm. I would think if Sitz baths are ok, a regular bath would be. I was told nothing and took one at 5 weeks PP with no negative results. It felt amazing too.

kalette · June 2014

They told me i could take a bath at the hospital if i wanted and didn't say anything about not being able to at home.

momo214 · June 2014

They told me no baths. I don't take them anyway so didn't listen to the time frame. I even asked why sitz baths are ok and regular baths aren't and the nurse wasn't really sure but guessed because regular baths you are submerging your whole body and the water gets dirty? I don't know if I believe that especially since others were told baths are fine.

gypsymystic · June 2014

Hallil said:

I was told plenty of baths, if possible even two or three little soaks per day either with herbs or Epsom salts. I listened and they made such a huge difference, even just for 5 or 10 minutes each. I also absolutely hate pads and crud so it was nice to get a break from that a couple times a day. These instructions were for both girls, both vagibal deliveries and DD1 left quite a few stitches.

Same here. I also had a second degree tear, with stitches. My Dr reccomended sitz baths or to just sit in the bath and soak as normal 2X per day.

cnbean · June 2014

I had a third degree tear and I was told it was ok. I've been taking them daily since week 2 with epsom salts and it really helped everything down there feel better. It seemed it healed quicker too.

spacepotatoes · June 2014

I had a 2nd degree tear with internal stitches and colony of hemmorhoids. Sitz baths were encouraged for me too and I took one the day I got home from the hospital, 4 days pp.

britab · June 2014

I was told to soak in the tub 20 minutes a day (2nd degree tear).

jenb_99 · June 2014

My discharge instructions said no baths for 2 weeks. I had a c-section.

Katrinamu · June 2014

I had stitches and herbal sitz baths were encouraged after a few days. Too early would dissolve the stitches too fast. Fully submerging wasn't a problem either. Midwife said it would speed up healing and it definitely did. I'm 2 weeks pp and do 1 a day.

Helmink0804 · June 2014

I had a vaginal delivery with a second degree tear and wasn't told anything about not taking a bath. I took one when the bleeding stopped at 3 wks. It felt amazing!!