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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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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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SKP86 · 05/06/2020 09:24

Pretty much straight away! I had an episiotomy too. DH held our little girl whilst I had a long hot shower in the ensuite bathroom in the labour room. Felt so much better after!

Flamingolingo · 05/06/2020 09:59

Oh I completely forgot though - I had a bed bath shortly after DC1 was born, so wasn’t left dirty. I was very upset as my baby had been taken to NICU and those women were so kind and compassionate.

DollyTots · 05/06/2020 10:08

About 2 days after. There were about 10 of us sharing one bathroom. I was in for 24 hours in which time it was never cleaned. Blood smears all over the bath tray. So I waited till I got home. I was given a bed bath straight after the birth as I was too weak to get to the shower anyway.

Dyra · 05/06/2020 10:24

The next day. Had baby just before 5pm. Placenta took forever to come out, then stitches needed to be done. Once they were done I had a go at breastfeeding. After that, I was sent to the post natal ward. By that point it was 11pm, my husband had gone home (not allowed to stay overnight even pre-covid) and I was too shattered to care about how filthy I was.

Aloadofbolony · 05/06/2020 10:33

With 1st - several hours. Epidural.

With 2nd only a few hours. Natural.

Gobshyte · 05/06/2020 10:40

As soon as I was taken to my room I got in the shower much to the disgust of the midwife. Apparently I should have put my sons nappy on, got him dressed and sat and cuddled with him before I thought about myself. I pointed out that DH was more than capable of doing that and shut the door.

Buglife · 05/06/2020 10:46

1st birth was ventouse so I had a spinal and a catheter in so my shower was the next morning when all that had been taken out. 2nd birth as soon as my stitches were in, probably an hour or so after the birth? That felt much nicer going up to the ward (baby needed some obvs overnight) clean and in a fresh nightie. Both times my husband was there.

BiddyPop · 05/06/2020 10:47

I know it was on that first day - DD arrived at 6am and DH was there most of the day with me, I think I probably had it once I got to the room after leaving labour ward and got myself freshened up, showered and into clean PJs. Maybe 10 or 11am.

I was in for 5 days (private ward, Christmas week, DD had a bad start) so I got a shower most days, but only once when DH was there, mostly I had the crib holding the door to the bathroom open so I could still hear her as I took a very fast dunk - being able to have a proper shower lasting about 4 minutes when I got home was utter bliss!!

dropthemic · 05/06/2020 10:49

@00100001

See, I don't understand why the dad/birth partner has to leave after 1hr to return at discharge... because surely by then leaving and going who knows where,it increasing the chance of bringing Covid-19 into the hospital??

Where as if they stay, the risk is less??

He can't actually return into the hospital as such. Just meet me and baby at the door and not go inside. I think the porter will help us to the door and DH takes things from there. DH can't visit the postnatal ward at all. I'm really hoping I'm not kept in too long. Midwife care has been excellent so far so I'm sure I'll get good treatment, but if the ward is very busy and midwives aren't around to help I can't imagine I'll be too keen on taking showers without DH to keep an eye on baby and/or me. The wet wipe towels are for that scenario

peonypower · 05/06/2020 10:50

An hour or so? I remember feeling like all my innards were going to fall out in the shower - I'd had a rather brutal ventouse

And the BLOOD!!!

AriettyHomily · 05/06/2020 10:50

As soon as they took the catheter out, about 6 hours later. I didn't get the mythical tea and toast but the shower was so nice.

Caspianberg · 05/06/2020 11:05

About 2hrs after. Labour room had en-suite bathroom. Was stitched up with baby skin to skin, then they brought me soup and bread whilst dh had skin to skin, baby weighed and dressed, then Dh held baby whilst midwife took me to shower.
Only afterwards was taken to another room (private room again with ensuite for 2 night.).
Was only last month so all covid restrictions in place, Dh had to leave 4hrs after the birth, and wasn't allowed return. Showered again the next 2 mornings alone in ensuite, baby stayed in main room.

Caspianberg · 05/06/2020 11:16

@00100001 - Baby was born here beginning of May. Covid restrictions meant Dh wasn't allowed in until established labour (luckily I was on arrival so he was allowed in after about 30mins). Then he was allowed to stay until 'a few hours after birth'. I'm not sure if there was an official number, but baby was born around 4.30pm sat afternoon, and Dh left just before 9pm as it was getting late.

Dh was then not allowed to return at all. We left monday lunchtime, and dh had to bring sling (or carseat) to entrance, midwife collected it and brought to me. Then i carried baby out in sling, and midwife carried bags down to entrance. Only then dh took over.

WhatALearningCurve · 05/06/2020 12:03

I ended up with an emergency csection at half 1 in the afternoon after being in labour since 10pm the night before. I'd thrown up on myself a lot and was just an absolute mess.

I think it was due to the catheter being in but I couldn't shower till the following morning - one of the midwives stayed with my baby.

I then cried because I didn't think my baby would recognise me smelling all fresh and not being covered in my own sick ha.

Regardless of that it was hands down the best shower of my life ever (and baby did obviously recognise me ha)

SecondStarFromTheRight · 05/06/2020 12:16

3 days. It was a very traumatic birth and I wasn't capable of a shower in the aftermath. Two wonderful care workers cleaned me up quite thoroughly a few hours after the birth which I was very grateful for.
That first shower felt amazing.

Sleepyquest · 05/06/2020 12:17

I think maybe 3-4 hours. I don't really remember but I had an epidural so had to wait a bit

RenegadeMrs · 05/06/2020 12:25

The next day. I had a c section and need to wait to be freed from the catheter. The shower had virtually no pressure though, and I was disappointed as I was desperate to feel clean!

Soubriquet · 05/06/2020 12:29

Maximum half an hour after.

Midwife was still in the room doing notes and dh was there. He had the shower after me

BoomyBooms · 05/06/2020 12:36

Pretty much as soon as I was put in my room after EMCS! They'd burst my waters and I was covered in that and meconium from the waters too. Grim. I managed to get myself washed dried and dressed but then had a funny turn and got told off by midwives for having one so soon. I couldn't have sat around all dirty though. No regrets!

crazycatbaby · 05/06/2020 12:39

About 9 or 10 hours after I think, she was born at 12.30pm, ELCS. Remember family coming to visit between 7-8 and I had a shower once I'd been forced out of bed was basically my husband hosing me down while holding my catheter bag, it was a delight. I didn't use shower gel or anything, I just wanted to get out as quickly as possible as I felt so weak, I'd had a shower late the evening before so wasn't too bad, just needed to get the blood and iodine(?) off

crazycatbaby · 05/06/2020 12:40

Sorry, that was in a private room so baby just stayed where she was

mistletoeprickles · 05/06/2020 13:02

As soon as I had the feeling back in my legs! I had an elective section. My mum came to visit and she came and washed me. I basically stood there and she did it all. DH sat with DS

Alderaan · 05/06/2020 13:11

Within the hour, whilst my husband was holding baby. Birth is a messy business! The delivery room was en suite when I had my son (five months ago),but fifteen years ago when I had my daughter I had to go down the corridor

ElectricTonight · 05/06/2020 13:12

Straight after babies first feed.

Hedgehog44 · 05/06/2020 18:58

Straight after my stitches. DS came with me in the plastic wheely thing.

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