When did you have your first soak in the bath after your C section?

[liquidice]

Just that. Apparently need to wait 6 weeks? I'm 3 weeks in and pointed the shower head at the wound for the first time and it has been been stinging..

Within the first week while still in hospital. The midwife ran me a nice warm salt bath and said it would help, also for my breasts as I had decided to put DD on the bottle, (she was not doing well and I had no intention of going through what I did with DS). It did help and I was so grateful.

Only a couple of weeks, I think. I think once I was told my wound had healed OK.

With first two sections I had a bath as soon as I got home from hospital because we didn't have a shower at that time. Asked the MW if it would be okay and she looked at me like I had two heads, asked what I thought would happen. I muttered something about the wound soaking itself open. She laughed and said baths are fine because, like me, not everyone has a shower and water is water whether it's in a tub or coming out of the shower head. The only thing she did say to take care with was getting in and out so I didn't overstretch myself, she told DH to make sure to give me a hand.

I took the baby in with me each time and it was lovely having skin to skin time in the warm water.

Once the dressing was off - put a few drops of tea tree oil in (recommended by MW) and bathed at least once a day, as much as I was able.

I had a bath as soon as I got home. Always preferred baths and it was wonderful soaking away. I didn't put any oils or bubbles in but not entirely sure it's harmfully either way.

About ten days

Nearly 7 weeks in and I still haven’t braved it

I love baths but my scar has gone sort of soft every time I’ve had a shower and I’ve had an infection in it which ABs have now cleared up but I can’t seem to make myself do it. Thanks to the replies I might take the plunge tomorrow.

Consultant told me not to for 6 weeks due to infection risk. Midwives said the same thing too. Interesting how much the advice differs!

Almost 3 years later when i was in labour with number 3

I did go swimming after the first time about 4 months and felt like it was going to tear open

It was at least three weeks for me - I would have found it hard to get in/out of the bath any earlier.

A week later to remove the dressing, as advised. The dressing was like a huge blister plaster and hadn’t been touched for a week. It came off easily and the would was healing nicely. Bath didn’t seem to cause any issues.

I was in hospital 5 nights with both and I had a bath before leaving both times

About 2 days after, waterproof dressing and the midwife advised it

I was advised as PP to wait 6 weeks due to risk of infection,but I think I left it even longer just to be sure! My scar took such a long time to heal on one side though, and that was the main reason for me holding off.

The very next day. As soon as I got up the nurse asked if I wanted a bath or a shower. Had a big deep bath in the hospital.

Wow - really surprised with the majority of responses! I'm at high infection risk so perhaps that's why I was told to hang on..

I think I'll see how I go and reassess next week when I'll be 4 weeks post section..

I was advised to have a bath with some lavender oil in milk to help with the stitches to both the CS wound and my undercarriage. (DS was so kind to me )