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Original poster

How long after birth until you took a shower?

170 replies

Cherryrainbow · 04/06/2020 22:43

Just as the title says, I was just wondering when people had a shower after giving birth? Did you go when there were visitors to supervise baby or when you were on your own? Did you wait until you got home? X

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youareoursunshine · 04/06/2020 23:39

3 long days :( I was in HDU and unable to leave the bed due to catheter and drip. I was absolutely desperate for a shower and had to plead to be allowed one after 3 days (I am a morning and evening shower person). And the relief of being able to wash was incredible

Sunshine1235 · 04/06/2020 23:41

About an hour with both of mine I think. Basically as soon as I was on the ward I went to shower, used some lovely smelling body lotion, got into new comfy pjs (and massive pants and pads) and felt like a new women. My husband was on the ward with the baby ordering pizza I believe

PerspicaciaTick · 04/06/2020 23:41

Within an hour both times.
First time, the nursing assistant looked after the baby while DH helped me shower.
Second time, DH looked after the baby while I showered.
A little bit of blood goes a very, very long way diluted in the shower..

nevergoingoutagain · 04/06/2020 23:43

Is it weird that I can't remember! I know I showered on the same day but no idea how long after. How can people remember what happened once the whole birth and stitches are over lol!

onlinelinda · 04/06/2020 23:44

How things have changed. A couple of days, 20 years ago.

Original poster
Cherryrainbow · 04/06/2020 23:46

@Samtsirch due my 2nd in September. With my first I think it was days until my shower after labour, it's hazy. I had forceps delivery and stitches but due to infection I had a fever and was really out of it, I remember random stuff like thinking flies were hitting my face and body. Was in the hospital for about a week after little man was born, we both had IVS attached to us and I was taking loads of medication. I don't remember anyone ever saying when showers could be taken - it wasn't covered in the classes, or midwives, nurses etc at hospital. They certainly didn't do bed baths lol. Fingers crossed my next experience of labour is better! It was just something i was randomly worried about and wondered what other people did x

OP posts:
Xiphisternum · 04/06/2020 23:47

I had a section in the morning and baby was poorly so lots of moving between wards and tests. Showered on my own about 8 o clock that night after visitors went, parked the baby in his cot behind the midwives who watched him.

MamaGee09 · 04/06/2020 23:48

i had an epidural with both, both mine were born in the evening and I had a shower the next morning,

Greengrapes1357 · 04/06/2020 23:52

Ds about two days as was on itu.
With dt about an hour it felt lovely to be clean. I also wanted to make sure I was clean before ds came.

Heismyopendoor · 04/06/2020 23:55

All of my kids were c sections and I had a shower the day after each of them were born. Took my shower whilst dh was there and watching the baby. My hospital had 9-9 for dads/partners so plenty of time to get myself sorted. He also dried me after the showers :) top bloke.

curtainsforme · 04/06/2020 23:56

All these posters having a shower less than an hour after giving birth Shock I couldn't even walk at that point Blush

I don't remember showering in the hospital at all. I was home with it a few hours after each birth though so i probably just waited until I had the comfort of my own bathroom.

happymummy12345 · 04/06/2020 23:57

Not long after giving birth. Birth centre room was en suite. The midwife told me I could get one.

Aquamarine1029 · 05/06/2020 00:01

Less than an hour both times and then we went home 3 hours later. This was over 20 years ago.

pintoffginplz · 05/06/2020 00:02

Ds1 a day because I couldn't stand up without fainting and throwing up. Felt absolutely disgusting but no one would help me, went home with sick and dried blood still all over me.
Ds2 had him early hours so 5 hours later when the ward was properly awake, different hospital after my first, but they gave me a quick bed bath. Shocking on the levels of care in different hospitals

Bridecilla · 05/06/2020 00:02

Narly 3 days after c section. I was fucking terrified it would hurt - I'm a wimp and want a plaster for a paper cut so assumed I'd be in agony with a c section wound.

Waited till they chucked me out of hospital (ds was in NICU so still in)

Bathroom was downstairs in the house then. Dp was heating a lasagne in the kitchen next to the bathroom and I wouldn't let him help me.

It was surprisingly fine. I lay in the hot bath with a hot flannel on my boob and expressed with a pump. Glamorous.

zaffa · 05/06/2020 00:03

I had a section at midnight practically so the next morning before I went onto the post natal ward (was in the recovery ward). I think it was one of the tests I had to do to be allowed to get the catheter out - I was willing to do anything to get the catheter out

Quackersandcheese3 · 05/06/2020 00:05

I had 2 sections so was confined to my bed for a while after.
DS 14 hours or so.
DD 10 hours, I did feel very week but the midwife was insistent and I had to take of the dressing myself whilst having a wash! Horrible at the time .
Hubby looked after kids both times.

Crabbo · 05/06/2020 00:09

With my first it was the next day - had an epidural and couldn’t really move my legs before that. With my second it was about an hour after - I wanted to use the nice clean shower in the delivery suite so I could avoid the grim ward ones. The midwife did want my husband to be in the room with me though and/or not lock the door.

PorpentiaScamander · 05/06/2020 00:11

With DS1, before I left the delivery suite. Left baby with their dad/midwife and mum helped me shower.

DS2, I can't remember Blush

DamnYankee · 05/06/2020 00:19

12 hours after? C-section. Definitely needed help.
From the part I could see of your thread title, I thought you were going to ask how long after birth did we take a sh*t.
Also a good question Grin

Funny thing - I can't remember that. And that was scarier than the shower!

Acidrain · 05/06/2020 00:23

I had a section under GA at 7pm so at 7am the next morning the midwives asked me to wash on a chair (still can't stand original source mango shower gel, makes me remember my horrible experience) first shower was on day 4 in hospital because i wanted to get discharged and thought of i showered, changed into clothes and made a slight effort they would send me home

InDreamland · 05/06/2020 00:27

I think it was a couple of hours after the birth. Labour and delivery was traumatic and both DD and I were distressed. I only had entonox. Ended up with kiwi delivery and episiotomy. I was so weak and shaky a midwife helped me shower in the ensuite bathroom in the delivery room whilst DH held baby. Then when I came out I almost passed out, DH had to get out of his chair quickly so I could sit down. I also showered the next morning when DH came back to watch and hold DD whilst I brushed my teeth and showed in the ensuite room (grateful we could pay for a private ensuite as it was so much cleaner and more comfortable than the wards with their shared bathrooms and cramped bays).

bananabread2000 · 05/06/2020 00:33

Abut 1 hour after birth. Had a few stitches, a feed and skin time with my little man and then DH had some cuddles while I tottered over to the shower (ensuite in the birthing suite).

HoppyHop · 05/06/2020 01:28

All three of mine were born at the same hospital. DC wrapped up and put in crib then wheeled into the bathroom with you whilst you had a bath. DH was in the bathroom too. I think this was about an hour after giving birth. Toast & tea arrived just after we got back to the ward. Seems baths are more unusual?

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 05/06/2020 01:31

About 6hrs. I had to go to theatre the repair a 3rd degree tear. Baby born at 6.30Am went to theatre about 7.45am was in there good hour. Took a while to come round was a bit poorly so once spinal had worn off and felt ok to stand. A healthcare sat with baby and a midwife stripped me off and took my catheter out in the shower and made sure I was ok. So very grateful. Healthcare lady lovely too as DH wasn’t allowed on ward due to covid restrictions so had to leave once I recovered from theatre.

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