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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Having a bath after birth

54 replies

tertle · 24/02/2014 20:58

I have been told by midwives that I shouldn't have a bath until six weeks after birth due to risk of infection. Very disappointed about this as I love having a relaxing bath!

However I wonder if this is common practice as keep seeing advice about putting lavender oil in baths after birth or bathing with a newborn (which I really like the idea of).

What are your experiences? Thank you!

OP posts:

trufflehunterthebadger · 25/02/2014 09:31

Eh ? How can you pick up an infection from sitting in warm water ?

Bonkers !!

MinesAPintOfTea · 25/02/2014 09:35

I was encouraged to have a bath and DH's aunt had given me some post-natal healing bath-salts (salt with lavendar, tea tree and something else) which were lovely.

mummytime · 25/02/2014 09:37

A bath straight after birth here too! Maybe not Bubble Bath, but certainly Tee tree, Rose Oil and/or Lavender to help healing. I didn't have one after the CS but that was more to do with a lack of mobility, did have a shower the next morning though (I was very proud of that).

ilovetosleep · 25/02/2014 10:17

I was told to bath once or twice a day with salt or tea tree oil, but only once I got home as they couldn't guarantee the cleanliness of the hospital bath!!! (NHS)

Original poster

tertle · 25/02/2014 12:43

Yes apparently the risk is due to the cervix not being closed. I was horrified when the midwife said it so I'm pleased to see that there are other schools of thought out there.

Now to obtain some lavender oil!

OP posts:

oscarwilde · 25/02/2014 12:50

Is the water safe to drink where you live? If not, that's possibly why. Most posters will be basing their experiences on UK water.

ilovepowerhoop · 25/02/2014 12:54

dont lie back and raise your hips up too much as that could cause water to flow into your vagina. Having a normal bath should be fine.

anonforabit · 25/02/2014 12:56

Just wanted to add was also advised daily or twice daily baths with tea tree and/or lavender but was advised to keep the baths short (10 mins max) and not too hot! I presumed the healing skin would not be helped by the skin getting too soaked and wrinkly. Good luck op!

MamaMary · 25/02/2014 13:02

In a funny kind of a way, I have very fond memories of my post-natal baths. Funny, because I was exhausted, on medication for high BP, and generally all over the place emotionally. But I used to have a lovely bath every morning, and you could guarantee I'd be in the bath when the midwife called

Good luck OP x

Proudmummytodc2 · 25/02/2014 13:08

This is odd! My wee boy I didn't get a bath for a week as they were too busy keeping me alive but when I got home I took 2/3 baths a day as it helped with the soreness from episiotomy stitches and with my little girl I got one straight after she was born the midwife ran it for me and continued to have them when I came home so I think u will be ok to have them although I never used any bubble bath in my baths as I'm allergic to them anyway but I wasn't really sure about the rules on that

Original poster

tertle · 25/02/2014 17:16

Good advice there powerhoop and anon. There's no risk from the water so I think I will be fine. Will just keep it quiet!

Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences.

OP posts:

gamerchick · 25/02/2014 17:22

I had a bath after the birth... helped in by the midwives. it was the best bath

I also did the legs akimbo with a hairdrier afterwards as well after I got home.

Hopelass · 25/02/2014 19:14

The only thing my midwife said to me was not to have a bath every day as I could dissolve the stitches too early so I had one every 2-3 days and all was fine! I second the tea tree and lavender advice though, lovely and relaxing

GwendolineMaryLacey · 25/02/2014 19:19

Bath straight after birth here too (2 years ago). And the best bits of my hospital stay were when DH was in to watch dd2 and I could skulk off and have a nice warm bath to myself.

Waggamamma · 25/02/2014 19:26

Doesn't the bath just get full of blood straight after giving birth?

I remember my post birth shower being like a crime scene, surely a bath would be worse as the mess doesn't run away?

Pollaidh · 25/02/2014 19:32

The French and Swiss are anti-baths for 6 weeks after birth. In the UK it seems to be encouraged. I had baths every day while stitches were healing. However after baby2 csec I was told not to bath.

It's a cultural thing. The French tend to medicalise birth more than we do in the UK. They don't do much of the water birth/hypnobirthing etc it's mainly epidurals, lots of scans, tests etc. I get advice from both sides and often they contradict. So I do what I want.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 25/02/2014 19:55

No it's weird, I don't remember any blood at all.

notso · 25/02/2014 20:22

I had baths straight after birth. They were bloody but also very welcome. With DC3 I had a shower and it wasn't the same very disappointing.

Original poster

tertle · 25/02/2014 20:33

Yes Pollaidh there are a lot of cultural differences! I agree, the best way is to get advice from each side and make your own decision. I think in this case, I will follow the UK route.

Thank you for your question Waggamamma, I was wondering about that too. Although I think I'd be happy not having a bath straight away after birth; my main concern is about going a whole six weeks without one! A warm bath is my number one relaxation technique.

OP posts:

Shellywelly1973 · 25/02/2014 20:39

I gave birth 3 weeks ago. No one has told me not to bath.

Personally i wouldn't & have never had a bath straight after giving birth, much prefer a shower!

emsyj · 25/02/2014 20:41

Yep, my post-birth bath was very bloody. Midwife told DH to run me a bath, DH enthusiastically agreed and said, 'I'll jump in after you' - midwife fell about laughing. He changed his mind when he saw the water!

Yes also to drying the muff with a hairdryer afterwards!

marzipanned · 25/02/2014 21:08

I gave birth in the water but had a third degree tear and was advised by the surgeon who stitched me up not to have a bath for a fortnight. Some types of stitches start to dissolve if in water for too long so just ask for advice from your surgeon if you do tear.

Strongecoffeeismydrug · 27/02/2014 00:35

I had a c section 3 weeks ago and had a bath the day after the section.
Midwifes said ok as long as you don't use bubble bath.
Gosh a long soak every evening is my favourite time of day so I would hate to just have to shower for 6 weeks.
3 weeks later I'm healed lovely so I've even got my bubbles back

steppemum · 27/02/2014 01:17

we were encouraged to bath, and i fact I was so sore, the bath was the only thing that helped, if I missed one, I couldn't walk the next day.

But one of my American friends was horrified that we were encouraged to bath, she was told no bath until her stitches were healed. (she may have been allowed to shower)

LooeyLou · 28/02/2014 09:18

I had stitches and was advised by more than one midwife to shower not bath as it might dissolve the stitches too quickly ??

They undid anyway so the no baths didn't help! ??

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