...to ignore postpartum advice re tampons and swimming?

[Pittcuecothecookbook]

Had daughter 4 weeks ago (had stitches for 2nd degree tear), still having minor bleeding (using washable panty liners daily). Staying at in laws and they have got us day passes to their gym. Mother in law has booked us on an aqua class. Just before putting in tampon, I've googled and advice is:

Don't use tampons until 6 week check as it increases infection and;
Dont swim until 6 week PP for same reason if you tore in labour

This seems overly cautious to me and I really want to swim. So am I being unreasonable to ignore this advice?

I've been having daily baths since the birth with tea tree oil and stitches have dissolved and tear feels healed.

Answers on a postcard, please!

Having a bath is not the same as the germ soup that is a swimming pool, the chemicals in a pool a) do not kill all the bugs in the water and b) are a lot harsher than bath water.

I wouldn’t, but I’m quite cautious about this stuff! I’m sure it would be alright, but I wouldn’t.

Yabu

I really wouldn't as PP says. Lots of nasties in swimming pools.

I swim every week but I wouldn't just after giving birth and tearing.

You have healing stitches and want to risk infection?
I personally would stay well away from a pool. So many nasty bugs you can pick up.
Wait at least the 6 weeks.

Well, i had sex at 2 and 3 weeks post-partum with babies 2 and 3 as bleeding had stopped. GP said it was perfectly safe to do.

I wouldn't swim. Not a chance. High risk of infection. Not worth the risk OP.

So tampon wouldn't have concerned me but i am quite lax about risk so maybe ask your HCP.

If still bleeding you should not use tampons. It is a sign your cervix is not completely closed and you increase your risk of endometritis infection and sepsis.
I’m an obstetrician and I would strongly recommend against this.
You’d be better using nothing if just spotting as you won’t bleed in the water anyway. You should only do this if your stitches are completely healed though

Colbu24

You have healing stitches and want to risk infection?

No, I have healed stitches and don't want to risk infection, hence the question.

Thanks guys, will bring my book and watch from the sidelines instead. It's an outdoor pool so will do a bit of sunbathing instead.

Bloody kids, eh?

Fatcow sex isn't the same as going in a pool. If you felt up for it great and no risk of infection but pools are soups of other people's bits.
My friend got Giardia and she was unwell for weeks.

YABU. Just wait.

Its not that pleasant a thought for everyone else sharing a pool with someone with a unhealed wound to be honest.

God the thought 😥 I couldn't stomach that four weeks after.
Enjoy your relaxing!

I really wouldn't. It's just not worth the risk. It does sound lovely, but I'd give yourself the two weeks.

Congratulations on your baby!

Please don't go. The risk of infection isn't just from your stitches. When you give birth you essentially have a wound from where your placenta was sitting. That is where the bleeding comes from postnatally. If you are still having some bleeding, that wound hasn't fully healed yet and you could get a nasty infection.

My children have giardia - it can be very hard to get rid of - my son sadly has had it for 4 years. It can be transferred in swimming pools - but it is via small pieces of stool going into people's mouths rather than through their vaginas. It's a parasite that lives in the bowels. Its one of the reasons why they tell people not to swim if they have upset stomachs.
But as others have said - there are lots of nasties in pool water - glad you have decided to stay out.

scary that an obstetrician doesn't know about gravity. Unless you can enter and leave the pool while staying horizontal, you will bleed in it. And swimming pools are not exactly clean.

glad to see the OP has more sense than that! Enjoy putting your feet up.

No - getting an infection would be bad

I was never given any advice post partum (any of three times) on swimming or tampons. You’d have thought if it was really important I might have been.

I couldn't imagine sticking a tampon in so soon especially with stitches! Sorry OP, glad you're taking a book though.

I reckon good decision - I recently had a D and C following missed miscarriage and got an infection, and painwise the infection was as bad as the time when I shattered my femur - AGONY. Stay poolside with a pad!