When can you take a bath after childbirth, why do you need to wait a while?

The effect of a bath on the body

Where there is water, life flows.
Bath procedures have a positive effect on the human body, clearing away dirt, saturating the skin with life-giving moisture and helping the nervous system in the fight against inevitable stress - calming, relaxing and relieving mental stress. A few minutes after taking a bath, muscles and ligaments relax. Blood circulation improves. The pores open and toxins are removed from the body. A bath after childbirth can be an excellent help for neuroses and depression, which so often happen with the birth of a child. But... the desired effect depends on the temperature of the water and how long you splash in the bath. The optimal water temperature for relieving tension and relaxation is 37 °C. For maximum comfort and benefit from taking a bath, you should not allow the temperature of the water to drop, and add warm water as it cools. The bath time should not exceed 20 minutes. Otherwise, instead of the effect of moisturizing the skin, you can provoke excessive dryness. If your goal is not a sound, restful sleep, but active activity, then plunging into a bath with a water temperature of 12–30 °C invigorates and brings clarity of thought. But the time spent in such a bathroom is a maximum of 10 minutes to avoid hypothermia.

The effect of bath procedures on the body

Bath procedures have a positive effect on a person. They not only cleanse, but also saturate the skin with moisture, relax and soothe. Taking a bath helps fight stress, relieves tension and fatigue. This helps improve blood circulation and stabilize pressure, open pores and cleanse the body of toxins. When breastfeeding, a relaxing bath will help cope with postpartum depression and quickly restore strength and body.

The bath performs the following useful functions:

• Improves skin condition and nourishes the skin with moisture;
• Softens and moisturizes the skin;
• Opens pores and removes toxins from the body;
• Calms and improves sleep;
• Relaxes, relieves nervous and psychological tension, helps with stress and depression. What else will help a nursing mother with stress, read here;
• Helps with headaches and migraines;
• Relieves fatigue and muscle tension;
• Improves blood circulation and stabilizes blood pressure;
• Baths with special herbs have a positive effect on well-being and help with insomnia and respiratory diseases.

However, the decisive factor in the benefits of bathing procedures is the temperature of the water and the duration of bathing. The optimal temperature is 37 °C, and bathing time is no more than 20 minutes. Failure to follow these simple recommendations will reduce the beneficial effects of the procedures to zero. In addition, prolonged exposure to water leads to excessive dryness of the skin.

Why can't you take a bath after giving birth?

Gynecologists and obstetricians strongly do not recommend taking a bath earlier than 40 days after birth, no matter how much you want to take the long-awaited swim. This is due to the fact that the birth canal does not contract immediately after childbirth, and is essentially an open gateway to infection.

The cervix closes and acquires its functions, one of which is barrier function, only 1.5–2 months after birth.

Freely penetrating with water, the bacteria come into contact with the inner surface of the uterine cavity, which is a large bleeding wound left after the placenta separates during childbirth. Tap water is far from a sterile substance, even chlorinated. Bacteria can also enter water from the surface of the skin, which is populated by millions of their varieties - both relatively harmless and downright aggressive.

When they enter a fertile nutrient medium - blood, wound secretions, mucous membranes, they actively begin to multiply and cause inflammatory processes and intoxication of the body with the products of their activity. The immune system, weakened by pregnancy and not able to recover after childbirth, is unable to prevent this “bacterial feast.” The result is, at a minimum, postpartum endometritis and inflammation of the sutures placed during ruptures, incisions and cesarean section. In severe cases, hospitalization is required, which negatively affects the separated nursing mother and infant.

It is also not entirely advisable to take a bath a few days after giving birth for hygienic reasons. In the first week, many women still have quite abundant discharge from the genital tract, and swimming in clots of blood and mucus is a dubious pleasure, after which it is necessary to take a shower to maintain cleanliness.

How a hot bath affects the body

When deciding to bathe, take into account the peculiarities of the effect of a bath on a woman’s body after childbirth:

• A hot bath after childbirth increases the volume of lochia. You should not take a bath if the suckers are intense. By the end of the second week, the discharge will have eased a little, and bathing will be much more enjoyable.
• A bath that is too warm increases lactation. In the first three months, when the breast has not yet adjusted to the baby's needs, overheating can trigger a strong flow of milk. In this case, the risk of stagnation and lactostasis increases.
• You should not take a bath with cracked nipples because of the possible penetration of microbes and inflammation through the damage.
• If an episiotomy (cut of the perineum) was performed during childbirth, it is not advisable to take a bath until the stitches have healed. The sutures are tightened on average within two weeks.
• If you had a caesarean section, you should take a bath only with the permission of your gynecologist. The doctor will conduct an examination and check the condition of the suture. Approximate healing time is 8-10 weeks.
• If a woman has worsened hemorrhoids after childbirth, then she should not take a hot bath. Due to overheating, blood flow to the hemorrhoid increases and the blood vessels dilate. This interferes with healing and aggravates the problem. A warm bath for hemorrhoids is allowed.

Harm to a bath for a nursing mother

The birth canal does not contract immediately after birth, which increases the risk of bacteria entering and causing infection. In addition, a woman’s immunity is too weakened after pregnancy and the birth of a baby, so the body will not be able to effectively resist dangerous substances.

The cervix closes and restores functions, including protective functions, only after one to two months. That is why gynecologists do not recommend using a bath earlier than after 40 days. If a nursing mother decides to take a bath before the uterus is restored and the birth canal heals, she may face a number of problems. This may be inflammation of the sutures, postpartum endometritis and various inflammations.

We also note that after giving birth, a woman is not recommended to go to the bathhouse in the first 1.5-2 months and if she has problems with lactation. How you can combine bath procedures and breastfeeding, read the link.

How long after can you take a bath?

The recovery period depends on the individual characteristics of the body and the conditions in which the birth took place. In each specific case, the question of when to start and how long to lie in the bath after childbirth is decided individually. There is a risk of getting an infection from improper bathing both after a natural birth and after a cesarean section.

After natural childbirth

After natural childbirth, lochia lasts approximately 4-6 weeks. Then you should definitely visit a gynecologist. He will conduct an examination, prescribe tests and studies, and determine whether the body has returned to normal. If there are complications, the doctor will recommend delaying the start of bathing procedures or waiting until the discharge ends if the birth went well. Although there are no categorical prohibitions on bathing in the bathtub in this case.

We recommend reading: Amoxicillin during breastfeeding

If a woman decides that a bath after childbirth will not harm her, she should be careful and pay close attention to her well-being. Long-term bathing in a hot bath threatens:

• increased lochia;
• loss of consciousness.

A short bath (about 20 minutes) in moderately warm water (36 degrees), according to some experts, has only a positive effect on patients without complications:

• improves overall well-being;
• relieves stress and tension;
• reduces swelling;
• softens tissues for hemorrhoids.

In any case, the risks of infection should be assessed. Each body is individual, and you can’t do without a doctor’s opinion.

After caesarean section

A caesarean section is an abdominal operation during which the baby is delivered through an incision in the uterus. The woman's genitals are not actually affected. The safety of swimming depends on the condition of the seams. They must be dry so that the process of tissue regeneration occurs faster and without complications. Until the stitches are completely healed, you can quickly take a shower - it is allowed already 7-10 days after the operation.

The doctor makes a conclusion about the condition of the sutures and the possibility of swimming after examination. Typically, the body returns to normal within 8 weeks after a caesarean section. Contraindications in this case are due to the fact that:

1. an unhealed seam is a favorable environment for the development of microbes;
2. hot water can disrupt the process of tightening the scar on the uterus;
3. postpartum discharge lasts 6-7 weeks;
4. hot water increases bleeding and lactation.

When the stitches dissolve, you can start taking a bath after childbirth (see also: how long does it take for stitches to heal after childbirth?). At first, it is advisable to follow the following rules:

• do not use hard sponges and washcloths, so as not to injure the seam area;
• refuse antibacterial soap;
• Do not treat sutures without the consent of your doctor.

How to take a bath during breastfeeding?

The most comfortable, optimal temperature of the water in the bath is considered to be equal to body temperature - about 37 °C. It is recommended to take it for about 15-20 minutes. It is necessary to ensure that the chest is constantly above the water.

Hotter baths are contraindicated for those mothers whose lactation is not yet established or hyperlactation is diagnosed. The fact is that when the temperature rises, the blood vessels dilate, which leads to increased milk production. The baby often does not have time to empty such a breast. In addition, sucking or expressing also enhances lactation. The result can be unpleasant, painful and dangerous lactostasis and even mastitis, which requires serious treatment. But if there is insufficient production of breast milk, hot baths can, on the contrary, be very useful.

Cool baths with a water temperature of about 15–30 °C will help you cheer up and get ready for an active pastime. But, you can take such baths while breastfeeding for no longer than 8-10 minutes. Excessive hypothermia can lead to vasospasm, difficulty in removing milk, and again to lactostasis and even mastitis.

Nursing mothers can take a bath, but they need to be as attentive and careful as possible and take good care of their health. And you should definitely listen to the recommendations of your gynecologist.

How to properly take a bath after childbirth?

So, after 1.5-2 months, the doctor allowed me to resume water procedures in the bathroom. Before diving into the water, you should:

1. thoroughly wash the bathtub with a cleaning agent;
2. fill the bathtub only with moderately warm water, no higher than 37 degrees;
3. Prepare your personal towel, soap and sponge.

If any surgical intervention was performed during childbirth, you should be especially careful, while following all the doctor’s recommendations. General requirements for taking baths for nursing mothers:

1. Lie down in the bath up to chest level - overheating negatively affects lactation.
2. Do not add scented products, foam or salt to the water. An aromatic bath may cause an allergic reaction and skin irritation.
3. It is allowed to use decoctions of chamomile or string. These herbs will help you relax and have an anti-inflammatory effect.
4. The duration of bathing should not exceed 10 minutes for the first time, then the time can be increased to 20-30 minutes.
5. You need to get in and out of the bath carefully. If necessary, you must ask your husband or other relatives for help.
6. If any symptoms of illness appear, it is important to stop the procedure immediately. If dizziness, nausea or bleeding occurs, you should immediately call an ambulance.

If the first postpartum bathing went well, the new mother wonders whether she can now swim in open water or visit the sauna. How to behave so that water brings only benefits and pleasure?

What women say

• Women who have gone through childbirth also have different opinions on this matter. Some claim that they took a bath already on the first day after discharge and nothing bad happened.
• Others say that before water procedures you need to insert a tampon and then you don’t have to worry about anything. However, doctors assure that this personal hygiene product should not be used for several months after childbirth.
• Still others say that they did not take a bath for a very long time after giving birth. The thing is that they simply did not have time for this.

Difficult childbirth, the presence of tears and stitches are not absolute contraindications for a warm, relaxing bath. However, you should consult your doctor about when it can be taken after the birth of a child, so as not to inadvertently harm your health.

PS The ideal situation would be when, before taking water procedures, the mother visits a gynecologist, who, after an examination, will give his permission.

Features of bathing during lactation

When breastfeeding, you can only dive up to your waist, as hot liquid can cause a rush of milk, accompanied by stagnation. You cannot wash if:

• There are cracks and other types of cracks on the nipples. Bacteria can get into the milk through wounds.
• You should not swim in bodies of water with a low level of ecology.
• After water procedures, you should wipe your chest dry and put on clean clothes.
• If there is an excess of milk, you must first feed the baby, only then can you immerse yourself in the liquid.
• The maximum permissible time spent in a pool or pond is 20 minutes. After this you need to warm up.
• It is recommended to wash the body with baby or laundry soap that does not cause an allergic reaction.

We recommend reading: Fluorography during breastfeeding

On the contrary, it is recommended to take a warm bath during the feeding period if milk production is poor. You can additionally massage your breasts with a warm stream of water, and after a shower, apply a warm towel to it.

Is it possible to take a bath while breastfeeding?

Opinions about when you can take a bath during breastfeeding are divided. Supporters of natural childbirth and ancient traditions believe that literally from the moment of birth. But official medicine approaches this issue more carefully. Gynecologists advise not to take a bath in the first 40-60 days after the baby is born, regardless of how he was born - naturally or by caesarean section.

The fact is that the birth canal is restored quite slowly. At this time, they are not protected from the penetration of pathogenic bacteria. And everyone is well aware of the dubious quality of our tap water. When taking a bath, dangerous microorganisms can easily penetrate into the uterine cavity, which is still bleeding. And this is fraught with serious inflammation and complications. The cervix finally narrows and is ready to fully perform the function of a barrier only 40-60 days after the birth process. Therefore, it is recommended for a nursing mother to lie in the bath from now on.

Another danger is posed by skin damage, in particular cuts, tears and cracks on the nipples, which are far from uncommon during breastfeeding. This is a potential route for infection to enter the mother's body.

Methods of bathing after childbirth (table)

When carrying out any hygiene procedures during the postpartum period, you should not experiment with perfumes and cosmetic products. It is better to choose special hypoallergenic products.

When you can already swim in the bath, a mother, especially a nursing mother, should choose the appropriate water temperature: it should be warm, but not too hot. The optimal temperature is 37 degrees.

The benefits of baths for the human body

The positive effects of a bath lie not only in cleansing the body of dirt, sweat and sebum. Warm water:

• opens pores, promoting the removal of toxins;
• moisturizes the skin;
• improves blood circulation;
• relieves mental and muscle tension;
• copes well with depression and neuroses, which often plague mothers after childbirth and can interfere with breastfeeding.

However, the decisive point here is the temperature of the water and the time spent in the bathroom.

Vagina care

Childbirth is an energy-consuming process and stress for the body. To get in shape and actively participate in caring for your newborn, it is important to follow simple rules that will make recovery faster and more painless:

• You should not use tampons, which increase the risk of infection. A good option would be to use special postpartum sanitary pads.
• For some time it is better to wear postpartum panties made of high-quality breathable material. There are reusable and disposable models on sale. Such underwear is specially designed for reliable fixation of postpartum pads, and ventilation ensures rapid healing of wounds.
• For swelling and pain in the perineal area, it is permissible to use cold for approximately 15 minutes per procedure. Direct contact with ice should be avoided.
• The diet should be balanced, tissue restoration is facilitated by the consumption of healthy protein foods. It is also important to ensure sufficient drinking regime.
• You should not resume sexual activity until the wounds have completely healed.
• Try to rest more; the protective and regenerative functions of an exhausted body are reduced, which can negatively affect the recovery of a young mother.
• If necessary, medications are prescribed externally to the genitals (to speed up wound healing) or orally (for pain relief).

Care after cesarean

Like any abdominal operation, cesarean section requires compliance with certain prohibitions in the postoperative period. According to most experts, in the first month and a half (and longer if there are problems with wound healing), it is better to refrain not only from taking a bath, but also from:

• sports exercises;
• having sex;
• lifting weights (more than three kg);
• abdominal muscle tension.

Watch very closely for conditions that can put unwanted stress on your abdominal muscles: cough, constipation, bladder problems. There is no need to neglect the advice on caring for sutures that the doctor should give upon discharge from the maternity hospital.

Before starting bathing, a woman who has given birth should consult a doctor who will give individual recommendations, weighing the pros and cons.

Pros and cons of hygiene immediately after childbirth

Experts have conflicting opinions about whether it is possible to take a bath after childbirth. There are several obvious advantages and disadvantages of this hygiene method.

If a woman in labor decides to relax in this way in the first month after childbirth, then she needs to follow the basic recommendations:

• The bathtub must be thoroughly rinsed and rinsed with hot water. This will reduce the risk of infection to a minimum.
• Before immersing yourself in a liquid, you need to measure its temperature with a water thermometer. You cannot swim if it has exceeded 38, as there is a risk of internal bleeding in the pelvic area.
• If the procedure is performed for the first time, it should be completed after 10 minutes. Gradually this figure can be increased to 15-25 minutes. It is recommended that someone close to you be at home at this time.

What recommendations should you follow for using cosmetics?

Bathing in the bath after childbirth should be done with caution. It is strictly forbidden to use fragrances, bubble bath or bath salts. Firstly, they can negatively affect a woman’s well-being. Secondly, if there are gaps, the woman will feel severe pain.

We recommend reading: Monural during breastfeeding

If there is no allergic reaction, then you can add 2-3 drops of essential oil to the liquid. This cosmetic product has a beneficial effect on the skin, providing a rejuvenating and firming effect.

After childbirth, it is recommended to sit in liquid with the addition of folk remedies. This therapy helps cleanse the skin and accelerate wound healing. As folk remedies, you can use a decoction of chamomile, string and sage. By the way, the famous therapist Evgeny Olegovich Komarovsky recommends such baths for newborns.

Young mothers should not forget about the beauty of their hands. Doctors allow almost any water procedures for the upper extremities. An excellent anti-aging remedy is warm potato broth.

When to visit a swimming pool or pond

The swimming pool after cesarean section can be visited 3-6 months after the operation. Aqua aerobics and swimming are very useful for a woman’s recovery after surgery, but we must remember that the water in the pool, despite disinfection, is inhabited by microorganisms; the water is often disinfected with bleach, which can cause irritation and allergies. If a woman has a keloid or a hypertrophic scar, then it is better to postpone visiting the pool or use a tight swimsuit.

Open bodies of water pose an even greater threat to the health of a woman in labor: in the first six months you cannot go swimming in a river, lake, pond or swim in the sea.

Sunbathing on the beach is also prohibited. These restrictions are associated with microbial contamination of water, and with the influence of temperature differences when swimming in the fresh air, and the adverse effects of the sun on the body. Insolation changes scarring processes and can lead to deterioration of tissue regeneration.

An expert on breastfeeding spoke about bathing nursing mothers in ponds

Ksenia Solovey

Lactation consultant

Breastfeeding is definitely a big responsibility for a mother. You should always consider your diet and lifestyle through the prism of your baby’s health. Will something he eats harm him, will vacations and swimming in open water disrupt the breastfeeding process? Our consultant gives answers to these questions.

Legion-Media

Our permanent consultant Ksenia Solovey constantly answers questions about the nuances of breastfeeding. With the arrival of summer, these questions naturally take on a seasonal tone. Question: Our child is seven months old, he is breastfed, and we want to go with him this year to the dacha, to the lake. Can I swim in the lake, will I get a cold in my chest? My mother is categorically against this.

Answer: It is important for a nursing mother to rest and find an opportunity to have a pleasant time, regularly taking a break from caring for the baby in order to restore her strength and energy. This will help her not get sick and return to motherhood with pleasure. Therefore, a trip to the country, trips to the lake, swimming - these are all things that are highly recommended for a nursing mother.

Don't worry about your chest getting cold, as is commonly thought (after all, it's not your throat). However, milk stagnation may occur. Their reasons are different than swimming in a lake or any other body of water.

Pixabay

Bath after childbirth: is it worth taking risks?

The pregnancy is over, the birth was successful, the baby is fine, and many girls are trying to get back on track with their previous lives. Thermal exposure is an individual matter. The answer to this question is quite difficult, because a huge number of factors can influence whether you can go to the bathhouse.

Most gynecologists agree that at least 3 months should pass in the postpartum period, and only then can you visit the bathhouse for the first time. But, this opinion takes into account only the normal course of obstetrics, that is, the absence of a cesarean section and large internal ruptures of the perineum.

When visiting a bathhouse, metabolism increases, a weakened body is cleansed and strengthened, and the tension that women are exposed to during the postpartum period is relieved. If there are no contraindications, bath procedures have a beneficial effect on the female body.

The number of normal and pathological births is equal. This means that half of women who give birth are forced to remove stitches from the perineum or abdominal wall.

This is the main obstacle to visiting the bathhouse, since it is necessary to wait until the stitches are removed and the wounds are completely healed.

If a woman in labor took thermal baths before childbirth, they can be resumed after childbirth. And if a woman has not visited the sauna, then her visit should be postponed until the breastfeeding period ends.

Childbirth is a difficult process for any woman. I want to quickly leave the hospital and lie in a warm bath or go to the sauna. But you should pay attention to your condition. There is no need to neglect the advice of gynecologists. After all, each organism is individual.

Why is a bath contraindicated immediately after childbirth?

Modern gynecology considers taking baths undesirable in the first 40 days, explaining this by the fact that the birth canal narrows quite slowly after childbirth and at first is defenseless against the penetration of bacteria. The water in the pipes is far from sterile, and the microorganisms living in it can easily settle on the inner surface of the uterine cavity, which is still bleeding after the placenta has been separated. The second source of infection is the surface of human skin.

Mucus, wound secretions and blood are an excellent breeding ground for microbes. When active proliferation of bacteria begins, foci of inflammation appear. Another factor of harm is poisoning of the body with waste products of microbes. The immune system, being weakened after childbirth, is unable to cope with the abundance of aggressive microorganisms, which often ends in postpartum endometritis. Sutures placed after a cesarean section, episiotomy, or rupture often become inflamed.

The cervix completely restores its barrier function only one and a half to two months after birth.

General rules

Water procedures after a caesarean section will require the woman to follow certain rules.

• Do not use toilet soap with rich perfume fragrances; it dries out the skin, especially in intimate places. Choose either regular baby soap or special intimate hygiene products. Pay attention to the composition. It is desirable that the composition contains lactic acid.

• When washing, you should first wash the external genitalia with movements from the pubis to the anus. Then they begin to wash the anus. This procedure is important to prevent opportunistic and pathogenic microorganisms from the intestines and feces from entering the genital tract.
• Sponges, washcloths and other bathing devices should not be used for water procedures of the genitals.

• Until the stitches on your stomach are removed, it is advisable to wash yourself after each urination. In order not to upset the balance of vaginal microflora, you should not use toilet soap every time; it is enough to wash your face with soap only twice a day - morning and evening. It is better to do the remaining washings without detergents at all.
• After the ban on a bath or sauna is lifted, there is no need to rush to use abrasive products for the abdomen - peeling can be used, but a little later. It’s also better to refrain from Charcot’s shower.
• If you have a beach vacation coming up, and only 2-3 months have passed since the caesarean section, you definitely need to visit a doctor, get tested and ask him about the possibility of swimming and relaxing in the pond. If there are no complications, the obstetrician-gynecologist may allow it.

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