Do I Really Need to Wait 6 Weeks Postpartum to Take a Bath???

Hi S G I've always been told too wait 6 weeks. I would advice that you do what your doctor suggest. The jacuzzi bath tub in not going anywhere!!! So it's best to safe than sorry. Just because you may feel great on the outside doesn't mean you're completely heal in the inside. There's still the risk of infection.

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Yes. Your uterus is an open wound until about 6 weeks post partum. If you do this, you are taking the risk of getting an infection.

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Interesting that no one else so far has heard of this, but you are not supposed to take baths because of increased chance of infection. You can have a sitz bath which is just a couple inches of water. I'd just wait a couple more weeks since you are already almost there. An infection would not be fun!

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The "bath" is not the problem it is the Jacuzzi part that is the problem. You don't want water jetting up there because it could cause problems. You are not fully healed yet. Just the same as when you were pregnant, no whirlpool baths and no hot tubs.

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I took a bath the day I came home with each kid (vaginal birth). I felt it helped control the bleeding and other discomforts

I have never heard of that and my doctor didn't say that to me after I had my daughter. Did the doctor give a reason? I would call and ask.

With a jacuzzi there's a possibility that the jets may have some crud growing in them. You can probably solve this problem by filling up a bath and pouring a bit of bleach in it and then running the jets for 10 minutes or so. Drain, refill the bath and run the jets again to rinse out the bleach. Then take as many baths as you wish - I took very low-water baths starting about 1 week postpartum to help rinse off the blood etc.

I have had two kids and both times baths were RECOMMENDED for healing. Use Epsom salts instead of bubble bath though- you want to make sure the chemicals don't irritate your tender tissues down there.

They are crazy- take a bath. You'll feel MUCH better. Both times they said as HOT as possible.

ETA- you may want to take it without the jets on the off chance there was something kooky they were concerned with like blood pressure or something... same for really super high heat if you had blood pressure probs.

Ive really never heard of this infact after i gave birth to my first child my dr told me (because of the stitch) to take 2-3 20 minute baths with a bar of plain soap in the water--I remember this because on the way home from the hospital we stopped to get a bar of soap

Never heard of this. I took baths postpartum, it sure felt good. Be sure to sit on a folded up towel- the bottom of the tub is hard on your sore bits!

My doctor said as long as I could get into the tub comfortable and it wasn't to hot I could take a bath the day I got home from the hospital. He actually said it would probably help heal the stitches.

"They" never fail to come up with more things to be worried about, do they? After my first child I was told not to drive for 6 weeks, on top of no baths, no this no that...etc. (and this was not in the 50"s-she was born in 2004)

Although, "they" have valid concerns for protecting pregnant/post pregnancy women, most advice is based on "worst-case" scenario. For instance-6 years ago it was OK to eat hot dogs and deli lunch meats-now a lot of OBGYNs are against it because to the remote possibility of ingesting harmful bacteria. (They do realize, of course, that the body is exposed to harmful bacteria, on a daily basis-don't they?)

Don't get me wrong-some advice is great, important and has saved thousands of lives, but, I think a lot of medical advice is overkill.

Yes, worst-case scenario, you could get an infection, but the likelihood, especially if you keep your tub clean is very very very slim- so tell your OB to go soak and you do the same.

I have never heard of this. The hospital where I delivered had jacuzzi tubs and told me to take as many baths as I liked. After I got home from the hospital I took baths morning and night, it felt so good!

I used tea tree or lavender essential oils in my baths.

Go for it!

EDIT.... Did you have a c section? I am assuming since you didn't mention it that you had a vaginal birth. If you had a vaginal birth, there is NO REASON not to take normal baths.

I had 2 C sections and had a bath about a week after each, and that was surgery! Maybe dont do the bubbles but otherwise I don't see the reason. We also were ok'd for sex at 2 wks post partum, and all was fine.

I took a bath every night in our jacuzzi right after having my son. My midwife actually said it would help and she was right! I never used bubbles, but i was told not to use them with our jetted tub. Good luck and congrats on the new baby!

I had a C-section w/ my son... so I was told to avoid complete submersion. I had heard that you should not take full on baths due to possible infection. Aside from sitz baths, which only involve a few inches of water were ok for sore bottoms. Per the website below you can bath after 3 days... http://www.bringingupbaby.com/Birth/birth_CFHOc.htm

1. You may shower as necessary but DO NOT take a tub bath for at least 3 days unless otherwise instructed by OB care provider. DO NOT use bubble bath or oils in bath water.

2. Warm showers may help to relieve the discomfort of breast engorgement.

3. DO NOT USE DOUCHES. They can cause trauma; possible infection.

G. Stitches and Hemorrhoids

1. Warm tub baths or sitz bath are recommended several times a day.

If you are otherwise healthy and just need to get into your tub, like I had to do at about 2 weeks, go for it! When you are a "bath girl", it just makes you feel so much better! I am NOT SURE IF THE JACUZZI PART IS OK, but the bath will feel great!

S.G., I wondered that too. I had a C-Section and had to see my dr. every other week. After the 2nd visit, I he said everything look good, I took a bath and made sure that every thing was fine afterward. But maybe it's different with a normal delivery.