After 40 weeks of pregnancy, and a demanding labor and delivery, a relaxing bath sounds pretty good to many new moms. So when can you take a bath after giving birth? We’re sharing best practices for both moms who had vaginal deliveries and moms who had cesarean deliveries.
How soon after delivery can you take a bath?
After a vaginal birth, providers typically recommend avoiding baths for about four to six weeks. For moms who delivered via C-section, you may be cleared a bit sooner, around 2 weeks.
However, in both cases, a sitz bath (a shallow bath designed to help with perineal healing) is safe to take sooner. This is because a sitz bath is only taken for a short time (about 10 minutes), using only two to three inches of lukewarm water.
You can make your own sitz bath in your bathtub, or buy a sitz bath kit (they're available in most drugstores and online) that comes with a small basin to place over your toilet.
Of course, every mom has her own unique situation, so run any questions by your OB or midwife who can help evaluate your own individual case.
Tips for your first postpartum bath
Here are some things to keep in mind once you’ve received the OK from your healthcare provider to take a bath:
- Keep it clean. Make sure your bathtub is clean before hopping in. You can also put a clean mat on the bottom to avoid slipping. Hypochlorous acid is a great cleaning solution since it is powerful but nontoxic.
- Keep it simple. Use basic bath products that are free from harsh chemicals or synthetic scents.
- Keep it gentle. For those first few baths, wash your incision site or vaginal area by hand rather than with a loofah, bath sponge, or even a washcloth to avoid irritating the area.
- Make it special (if you want): You waited awhile for a bath, so make it special. Light candles, play music, get a comfy bath pillow or a new book – whatever feels like self care to you.
If you experience pain or bleeding in your pelvic area or at your incision site during or after a bath, or if you have fever, chills, or an overall feeling of lethargy, reach out to your healthcare provider. These are all potential signs of a postpartum infection.
What about showering after birth?
A bath might be off the table right after birth, but a shower is safe and can feel great. Here are some things to keep in mind.
After a vaginal birth
A person can take a shower after a vaginal birth as soon as they are physically able to stand. For many women, this is pretty soon after birth. However, if you feel extra tired from labor and delivery, it’s probably best to wait until you’ve gotten a bit of rest. If you had an epidural, it’s best to wait until it has worn off so that you know you can safely stand on your own (especially in a slippery shower). There’s no rush to shower after birth, do what makes you feel good.
After a C-section
While it's important to keep your incision site clean to prevent infection, it’s best to avoid taking a bath until it's healed. Showers, beginning the day after delivery, are a great way to keep your incision clean.
When you shower, let the warm water and mild soap run over the incision area. Don't scrub your incision in the shower and don't rub your incision to dry off. Instead, just gently pat it dry with a clean towel.
And remember, a sitz bath can be soothing even if you didn’t deliver vaginally. Your vagina may feel sore and uncomfortable, especially if you labored before having your C-section. You may also have hemorrhoids from the pressure of your growing baby during pregnancy and labor. A soak in a sitz bath can help soothe those discomforts.
The Bottom Line
Baths are a great way to relax, but it's best to wait a few weeks after birth to take a long, full bath. Instead, enjoy shorter sitz baths and nice warm showers while you heal.
