So when can you take a bath after a c-section? Generally most health care providers say six weeks. However, if you have a small area still open, wait a little longer.
If you read the pregnancy message boards, you will find the answers from other women range from a day or two all the way to seven or eight weeks.
The first day or two post-op you probably won’t be up to much more than a quick sponge bath. After that, a shower is probably your best bet for a while. If you feel a little dizzy standing in the shower, you can rent or buy a shower chair to use in case you feel woozy. Or you could install a grab bar that you can hold on to.
Don’t take a bath until your health care provider gives you permission. It may be only three weeks or six. It all depends on how fast you heal.
Newer procedures for surgical delivery of babies leave smaller wounds which may heal faster than the traditional c-section operation. The last thing you need now is an infected surgical wound.
Some physicians say that you can take a bath when the staples are removed, which depending on how well you heal can be about four weeks. However most people prefer you wait another week at least.
Remember, a bath tub does not constantly drain and remove germs like a shower does. Avoid hot tubs for the same reason, the water isn’t changed between uses. Wait a month or two before you relax in the hot tub with friends.
There is little that is as soothing to the mind as well as the body than soaking in a hot bath with maybe scented candles in the room and soft music in the background. So it is no wonder that harried new moms are in such a rush to get a bath.
But please be patient and protect your health by waiting till your incision is completely closed. The last thing you need right now is to be floored by an infected incision. Your resistance may be somewhat low due to the stress of pregnancy and surgery on your body. Let’s give it some time to heal. A shower may not be relaxing, but it is probably the best choice for now.
` A shower is invigorating. Use a scented shower gel that has a scent that you enjoy. Jasmine is a soft scent that can calm your nerves. Give it a try. Some find fruity scents to be helpful. You should try a few different scents and choose the one that you like the best. Most of the scents found in shower gels can also be found in bubble baths so now you will have something to look forward to when you get to soak in the tub.
You may be advised to use mild soap for the first week or two after the c-section so as not to irritate the surgical site. It all depends on your doctor’s instructions and how fast you heal. He will let you know the do’s and don’ts for the immediate post-op period.
Who knows, the doctor may only tell you to wait three or four weeks as opposed to five or six to take your first soak in the tub. When you do get to take your first post baby bath, you will appreciate it as a luxury that you have been anticipating for weeks, although it has actually been months.
Way back when my kids were born we were told to wait two or three weeks before taking a bath even if we had a vaginal delivery because of possible tears, creating a way for germs to invade the body and cause a severe infection. So this is not an entirely new issue.
Waiting at least until the staples or stitches are removed is probably the best way to go. Now whether you should wait a full six weeks before having that long soak is yet to be decided. The experts are somewhat divided on the issue but most health care providers at the moment seem to come down on the side of the six week wait. Their reasoning is, better to err on the side of caution than to risk getting hit with an infection which will extend your wait even longer. My best advice is to suggest you follow the doctor’s orders on the tub bath issue.
The message boards have created a wonderful community of women the world over that ask for and give advice on all issues related to pregnancy, childbirth and a host of related issues. You can access this advice and information at any hour of the day or night.
However, please do not make the boards your primary source of medical information. Some people are misinformed and taking those suggestions as gospel could be dangerous. Who would think that something like a simple bath could cause so much controversy. We hope you get to take your bath very soon.
