[aubers68]

I thought it has been mentioned before that baths are good postpartum??? Well in my paperwork from the hospital it says you shouldn't bathe for 6 weeks!!! WTH?? I'm really wanting a bath right about now. Anyone know anything about this? 6 weeks seems ummm a bit long!

[alicenwonderland]

yup only "sitz baths" for your bottom. You don't want anything going up into your vulnerable uterus right now.

[magz88]

You can shower though, right?

[Pinkhighheels27]

Woah....I've never heard of the no bath rule! I love my baths!

[Ever]

Yes you can shower. No baths until you've had your 6 week checkup to give yourself enough time to heal properly. Sitz baths for the outside of your bottom only are fine.

[Jessimaaka]

Newbie question....how does one take a sitz bath then?

I'm also disappointed to hear this

[lmunoz8517]

wow I was never told that and was taking baths from the time I came home from the hospital for all three previous babies. I knew you couldnt with a csection but had no idea the same went for vaginal delivery.

[aubers68]

Originally Posted by Jessimaaka

Newbie question....how does one take a sitz bath then?

I'm also disappointed to hear this

I had to google it...
There are special devices that fit into toilet bowls. Sitz baths may either be warm or cool. Some people find alternating between hot and cold water soothing. Sitz baths may be filled with just water, or substances such as salt, baking soda or vinegar can be added.

[Jessimaaka]

While I don't "like" that its not a real bath, thank you! lol

I'm still disappointed....

[Jenn1320]

Hmm, I swear I was just told I could take a bath- just use gentle soap like Ivory, nothing too perfumy. I haven't though.

And after having Caiden and my 4th degree episiotomy I did Sitz baths twice a day! Nothing fancy - just made the water really hot and literally squatted in the tub 10 minutes or so at a time. It made an amazing difference with both the epi and the hemmoroids.

[mama4life]

Hmmmm....my midwife left me with herbs to take a bath with if I wanted to. And technically, I was taking a bath when Vincent was born .

I dunno about this....I don't remember my old OBs protocol for this. My midwife didn't say anything about it. I mean, I doubt I'd go takin' a big ole' sudsy bubble bath, but I've already taken a bath with Vincent for his first bath. Course, I just put a tiny bit of coconut oil in the tub, with no soap. I can see the logic, I suppose, but I still plan on taking coconut oil baths with Vincent .

[Jfolk826]

I take baths just to soak for the first six weeks. I don't use soaps or anything in the water, but there is no way that I can go 6 weeks without anykind of bath!!

[jesslynn2000]

With all my kids the doctors said not to take a bath the first week after the baby is born, but after that is fine. I always took a bath the week after my babies were born. I can't go without a bath for 6 weeks. I would go crazy.

[Mod-Lady Valkyrie]

I was told only showers for a week after Daniel and then a bath (unperfumed etc and with sea salt if I could stand it for my episiotomy scar) would be fine.

That better be the case because we haven't got a shower in our house and I can't live on strip washes alone for 6 weeks after giving birth! I would just feel smelly all the time.

[2pinks&ablue]

I was never told this, in fact, they want you to take a salt bath before you leave the hospital here!

[one.juniper]

I was told to bath twice a day... The medical advice on this seems to be pretty conflicting from doctor to doctor.

[katiebear]

With Ellie's paperwork I was told no baths until the bleeding stops... But I'm almost done bleeding already so I'm not too worried about it