when is it ok to take a shower post-birth?

Demi - posted on 08/11/2010

i would also recomment that if you have stitches to shower asap after if u feel up to it while the pain killers are still affective coz once they wear off you may find it painful/uncomfortable to do anything.

Demi - posted on 08/11/2010

Yeah i had a shower minuits after giving birth i was still in the delivery room too when i did.

Ava - posted on 08/10/2010

Immediately. I took a shower after my hour of recovery from my c-section, breakfast, and a percocet and motrin. After that kicked in, I shuffled to the shower. However, don't take a bath *unattended*. Try to let your husband, or sister, or mother, or something, sit in the bathroom with you in case you have a stabbing pain, cramp, get suddenly tired, light headed, etc, and fall. Just a precaution. The doctors asked if I needed help and I said no, she hung outside my door and got me when I was out, but I did it by myself and was fine. A month after birth would be VERY stressful on you, honey. You sweat a lot getting up and down with a kid and it's just NOT pretty. Take a shower every other day or so and you'll be okay. A bath might be better for you if you want to relax.

Shana - posted on 08/10/2010

I was induced with an epidural, I had a episiotomy as well. i wasnt told to shower until the next day. It was hard to stand up but I did because sitting really hurt. It felt great to shower, such a relief you feel like a new person.

Caroline - posted on 08/09/2010

you could take a bath asoon as possible that's if you did not had a c-section ,not a shower I personally perfer a warm bath with salt in the tub that helps to soothe the body

Lindsay - posted on 08/09/2010

holy crap girl! if you didn't shower for a month, even your baby wouldn't want to be near you! haha! I showered as soon I was able to walk into the bathroom, I was anemic after both so I wobbled my way to the shower chair thing...feels much better!

Belinda - posted on 05/18/2010

I had a shower straight after my birth while they were dressing my baby and giving her her vitamin k injection. My midwife told me too and Im pleased i did

April - posted on 05/17/2010

wow i couldnt imagine not taking a shower soon after... i felt so nasty ( i was enduced and the doc broke my water in the delevery bed) but i took a shower as soon as my epidural wore off and it was AWESOME... very relaxin a clean!!!!

Shannon - posted on 05/13/2010

i had a shower the day after i had my daughter, when we were still in the hospital. i would have done it that same day because i felt gross from all the sweat/bodily fluids, but i was too tired lol. my fiance helped me out, which was kind of difficult because the shower in the hospital room was so small lol. go ahead and shower. trust me, itll make you feel a ton better :)

Sherry - posted on 05/12/2010

sweety whenever your ready... I had a difficult labour and was rushed to surgery so was very very weak until a few days later.. but GOD was it good to wash my hair in the shower -- draining sure but heaven!



I would think the added oils from your skin would actually you get migraines sooner because the oils add weight to your hair which puts more wieght on your head and shoulders... Not sure where your parents got the "after 40's" thing from except maybe that most women hit menopause around that age?

Megan - posted on 05/11/2010

They offered my a shower while I was at the hospital. They encuraged it so that I would feel more comfortable and relaxed.

Belinda - posted on 05/09/2010

After the birth of my son, the nurse took me into have a shower sat me on the chair as I had an epidural, and my legs were weak but after my shower I felt so refreshed!

Sharon - posted on 05/09/2010

you do what your heart tells you you feels right xx
talk with your family about your feelings xx

Jessica - posted on 04/30/2010

The nurses at the hospital had me up and taking "sits-baths" and showers sitting down the day after I have my baby. The "sits-bath" thing was new to me;however, it is where you sit in warm water for ten to fifteen minutes to soothe that area. Then afterwards I would go the shower with a stool inside and use a hand sprayer to wash my body and hair. The warm water was very relaxing and good. The only other thing I would suggest is to not stand up in the shower until you are able because blood flow can still be pretty painful and active. Sudds Up!

Jennifer - posted on 04/29/2010

The nurse came in my room that day and said I could take a shower whenever I wanted to. Of course, I was too exhausted to take one right then so I waited. You can definitely take one shortly after unless you have a c-section and that may be different. Your dr or nurses will let you know.

Sarah - posted on 04/29/2010

i think any time is i had to wait a day to get my bandages off because i had a c section but after they where off i sould take a shower any time but it has to hit your chest.and its no baths after birth for 4 to 6 weeks because of they laying in the water.but showers are fine

Lia - posted on 04/27/2010

Just taking a bath is not good for a couple of months, but I do know people that don't listen to dr's and do so anyways.

Lia - posted on 04/27/2010

As long as you can stand on your own with no assistance after the drugs wear off, I had no one to help me the two days in the hospital so I had to wait until I got home to shower and it felt so good.

Hazel - posted on 04/19/2010

I had a shower a few hours after giving birth. They wanted me to have a shower before I went up to the ward.

Catherine - posted on 04/19/2010

I had a shower about two hours after giving birth. I was a little weak so I sat on the little bench and my husband used the shower head and helped wash me. It was a very loving experience.

Sarah - posted on 04/19/2010

I had my son at home and it was the best decision I have ever made. I showered that same day after giving birth. Not only did I feel so much better when I washed all the sweat off but it gave me a quick moment to myself to process the day. It was the fastest shower I have ever had though, hehe, but it felt great. I was never told anything about having to wait to shower or wash hair or anything. I suppose in the hospital it would be different. Take a shower when YOU feel YOU need to and your baby is taken care of, you deserve it. Remember, you cant take care of anyone else until you take care of yourself first.

Kirsty - posted on 04/19/2010

i had a c section and i had a shower the next day

Amanda - posted on 04/19/2010

i took a shower within 2 hours after because i had to wait for the epidural to wear of first

Sam - posted on 04/19/2010

I had a bath immediately after delivery. I also had a bath everyday after and used lavender oil and tea tree oil to try and help the soreness & stitches. Not sure what good it did but it smells nice!

Alyshaa - posted on 04/19/2010

Right after I gave birth to my Daughter, my Doctor and the Nurses said I could take a shower to get cleaned up and suchh if I felt up to it . It took me a couple minutes to get out of the bed because I was not used to my belly being gone so quick so my back was a little hunched over and it felt a little weird without it . After my shower (in the delivery room) I felt SO much better ! So .. I recommend you do ! You`ll want one after giving birth anyways !!

Alyshaa - posted on 04/19/2010

Right after I gave birth to my Daughter, my Doctor and the Nurses said I could take a shower to get cleaned up and suchh if I felt up to it . It took me a couple minutes to get out of the bed because I was not used to my belly being gone so quick so my back was a little hunched over and it felt a little weird without it . After my shower (in the delivery room) I felt SO much better ! So .. I recommend you do ! You`ll want one after giving birth anyways !!

Laura - posted on 04/18/2010

A month???? I think I was told not to take a tub bath for six weeks....but I didn't have to wait a month to shower or wash my hair. I was natural with my first two and showered as soon as I got to my room and the baby went to the nursery. With my third I had an emergency C-section and because of the distress on the baby, I had to be cut up and down and had staples, but they covered them up and I was still able to shower once I was back to my room and out of recovery. I am not sure where that mentality came from, unless they are thinking about the tub baths that they want you to avoid for the first six weeks. Good luck!!

Debbie - posted on 04/18/2010

i got forced to have a bath about 3 hours after i had my baby! lol, would have loved a shower but no had to trudge over to bath and didnt get given a damn towel either

Amie - posted on 04/18/2010

I was asked by my nurse only 3 hrs after giving birth if I wanted to have a shower...I didn't end up having one for 2 days because I was nervous about my stitches...I had to be cut because my son was big and needed help to come down and out. I didn't have a bath for 8 wks tho. Congrats!

Amie - posted on 04/17/2010

My midiwife told me to have a shower before I moved to my post-natal room in the hospital. So it was only about 3 hours after birth

Brandi - posted on 04/17/2010

that sounds ridiculous to me. The nurses in the hospital MADE me take a shower just an hour or so after the birth of my daughter and a few hours after my son. I actually almost passed out in the shower after my daughter was born as i had lost a lot of blood (tore a bunch). Made me get in there anyhow. I would say as soon as you are stable enough to stand without passing out (lol) go for it.

Shell - posted on 04/17/2010

i had a shower straight after giving birth, and i've never heard any thing about migraines, not in any pregnancy books.

Shell - posted on 04/17/2010

i had a shower straight after giving birth, and i've never heard any thing about migraines, not in any pregnancy books.

Caroline - posted on 04/17/2010

With my first I had a shower straight after the birth in the delivery room and my second was a home water birth anyway and after third stage and a b/feed I had a nice warm bath! I think it depends on the whole stitches thing but I certainly wouldn't want to wait as birth is a very messy business! I think there is definitely something to be said for looking after youself post-birth though so definitely stick with any tradition that suggests you need to be looked after!!

Laura - posted on 04/17/2010

I showered 6 hours after my baby was born....and thus far I have suffered no ill effects.

Joylyn - posted on 04/16/2010

I had a shower immediately after my delivery. I felt fresh and nice and a good sleep too.

Claire - posted on 04/16/2010

i had a shower while i was still in the delivery suite... once everything had been 'delivered' and my baby was weighed and messured... my hubby took him to the ward and i stayed to hav a shower... i wanted to refresh myself for the long nite ahead! best thing i did too cos my son didnt sleep all nite!! but i think its a personal thing and u should do what ever u feel is right.

Kytama - posted on 04/16/2010

With my first I showered less than an hour post birth and didn't get migraine. The second time I had a C-section and was allowed to take a shower after they removed the bandage, that was 2 days after birth. But the nurses did wash me twice a day. This time a also didn't get migraine.

So I'm not very sure about the migraine story...

Brenda - posted on 04/16/2010

My in-laws are Chinese and told me roughly the same thing. It was more about the hair washing than the shower. (I could get achy joints later in life from it). My MIL said to wash my hair when I go into labor, but then not for at least two weeks.

Our childbirth class instructors (whom are nurses from the hospital) recommend waiting a few hours just to make sure you can stand on your own.

I showered the next morning and washed my hair. It's not my tradition and I just wouldn't wait. I felt like I needed to clean up, plain and simple.

(We also did NOT shave our daughter's head which is another tradition that thankfully the in-laws didn't push for.)

Alena - posted on 04/16/2010

i took a shower right after birth it makes u feel so much better the nurse told me to and helped me. so i dont see why not

Alena - posted on 04/16/2010

i took a shower right after birth it makes u feel so much better the nurse told me to and helped me. so i dont see why not

Lisa - posted on 04/15/2010

I had a rinse within a few hrs after birth cause thats all i had the energy 4, the next morning when mum came to visit i had a proper shower inc hair wash and it was FANTASTIC made me feel human again

I did feel better knowing mum was with bub tho as he was my first and it seamed weird to leave him in a room anyone could come and go from while i showered =)

Delphean - posted on 04/15/2010

I showered about 3 hours post-birth. Still in the delivery suit. went staright from feeding my little boy to getting clean in the shower. xx

Brandalyn - posted on 04/15/2010

as soon as they took the iv out of my arm i was in the shower at the hospital....so the next morning.....

Sandra - posted on 04/15/2010

thanks to alll the wonderful moms that have answered my question! i didnt expect so many replies! the reason i asked was because they believed you cant take showers until one month because of the "bad omens" entering through your body etc.

Karalyn - posted on 04/15/2010

I showered the day after at the hospital, then had a nice relaxing bath when I got home.

The way I felt after giving birth, I couldnt wait to get clean and relax in a hot bath. It helped with my swelling aswell!

Melissa - posted on 04/15/2010

I showered after my IV was removed!

Jasmine - posted on 04/15/2010

i think its up to you when to have a shower its your life and your baby so you do what feels right.. i showered after having my little boy about 6 hours after having as fell asleep where was very tired xxx

Kristen - posted on 04/15/2010

I delivered at 6:15 in the evening and I went home from the hospital that night. First thing the next morning I dealt with the shower thing. I felt so much better afterward.

Jo - posted on 04/15/2010

i've never heard of that. i had a shower as soon as i was stitched up and could stand. even though i laboured in a pool it helped me to feel refreshed after a long labour for my transfer to another hospital. good luck!