When can you have a bath after c section?

[Mmmmcheese]

I was told to avoid baths when discharged but forgot to ask for how long. I had mine 19 days ago - is that long enough to wait?

I don't recall getting any advice about when to have a bath. Did they say why you had to wait? The only reason I can think of is being able to get yourself in and out without straining your scar??

I can't remember how long I waited but I put some lovely lavender oils in to help me heal. Lovely .

Blimey - I had a shower the next day and a bath the next day.

They said not to get it too wet, and even said not to have prolonged showers at first. I assume something to do with making the stitches dissolve before they're ready?

I dont know, I know they made me get up the next day and climb into bath, which made me sick and nearly fainted with pain
I had normal stitches so not much help. I'm sure you should be fine now .

Well I've had 3 c-sections and never been told this and had dissolvable stitches.

Not that I exactly lingered in the bath for hours . . .

But anyway after 19 days am sure it would be fine.

Maybe your stitches are different but I had a bath after a week (was in hospital for aaaaaaages and only had a shower in there, was dying for a bath by the time I got home).

Ring up the ward and ask if you're worried.

Essentialy a bath is dirty water, if that makes sense so showering is clean water over the wound. Also difficult getting into and out of bath. Make sure your wound is cleaned and dry and no signs of infection before you bath. Make sure your wound site is completely dry afterwards, bacteria love damp places!! A hairdryer is good for drying pain free!!!

I would absolutely love to hear the research behind advising people not to have a bath! Madness.
A bath is considered 'dirty' as you are sitting in your own dirty water. But a shower is usually recommended post operatively. It helps to wash dirt away. After 19 days you must be feeling crap with no proper wash! A shower makes you feel so much better too.
Use the shower head to let the water run over the wound, pat dry with clean towel.
Hair dryers can harbour bacteria, and is not necessary to dry a wound.

Just to clarify - I have been showering! Will look forward to a bath tonight :) thanks for the responses.

A community midwife specifically told me to have a bath a couple of days after I got home from hospital, and told me to put lots of salt in it because I had a little bit of infection in the wound.

I bathed in hospital. The midwives positively encouraged it. In fact, they had some lovely oils, made me a cup of tea to take in there with me and warmed my towel. I'm having another baby asap, just to get readmitted.

I was encouraged to get in the bath the following day after mine. I had a drain attached and it was a nightmare! I had dissolving stitches.

My husband had to lift me in and out though.

Enjoy your bath! :)

I was in hospital 5 days after mine and had three baths in that time, so I really wouldn't worry, I'm still in one piece 4.5yrs later, and a 2nd csection to, do make sure you have someone a shout away for a hand getting in and out, and enjoy!

And ditto showofhands wanting to be re-admitted I've never been so well looked after, had I not had a small squirmy infant attached to me most nights it would have been a lovely holiday