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baths after birth?????

Elizabeth - posted on 09/24/2010 ( 4 moms have responded )

When can I take a bath? Baby was born 9/5. Hossy said to wait the full 6 week to prevent bacteria from getting "in" but my friend says I could have taken one at birth and right after. I've looked up websites and some agree with my mommy friend (due with #3 next month), others say after 2 wks, and others say after 6 weeks. The bleeding stopped today as far as I can tell (was never bad to start with). I have a separated back so my warm/hot baths are the only thing that give me some relief.

Thanks!!!

What I've found: just listing 2 out of all of them...
2wks: http://www.brighamandwomens.org/patient/...
right after: http://www.babycenter.com/404_when-can-i...

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Kelly - posted on 11/20/2010

ok my midwife told me to have warm (not hot) baths twice a day and to use salt in the water or badidas bubble bath, I had forceps with my daughter and alotta stiches and the baths are the only thing that helped for the 1st few weeks ... i was in there 3 times a day for the 1st week and i never had any infections

Elizabeth - posted on 10/05/2010

thanks for the responses. Sry I couldn't respond earlier but our internet died and just now got fixed.

I had no stitches. They only said not to because of infections as the water can go "up". um, I can see that in a hot tub but not just a normal bath. I am actually about to go take a bath as she's a month old today. I'm tired of waiting and not being able to take one. Looking back at the hospital I am just wondering if they have different practices there. They surprised me when they told me that they want the baby to crown on her own before I start pushing to save me from a long time of labor/pushing. That's exactly what I wanted along with a massage and I got everything I wanted without having to ask other than a walking epi and being able to move with the walking epi. I wouldn't have changed a thing though. I birthed an almost 8lb baby 2weeks early without any issues at all.

Leslie Anne - posted on 10/04/2010

Was there a reason yoor doctor gave you like, getting stiches or something that would make it a bad idea to have a bath? I think that adding some salts to your bath would help prevent infections, and soothe your muscles :)

Natalie - posted on 09/27/2010

i wasnt told that you couldnt have a bath so i would say if you feel comfortable having one then do it, having a bath i dont think would cause any infections - i would prob be more soothing for you to not have to stand ion the shower :)