You can take a bath after birth, but many healthcare providers may tell you to wait a few weeks before settling in for that first postpartum soak.
Generally speaking, it’s best to wait at least four weeks before taking your first bath after giving birth – or until you've gotten the go ahead from your healthcare provider. In those first few weeks postpartum, your cervix is still somewhat dilated, regardless of whether you had a vagin*l delivery or a c-section. There’s a theory – though no research has confirmed this – that tub water could travel into your uterus, introduce bacteria, and cause an infection.
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Additionally, if you've had any perineal tearing or an episiotomy during childbirth, soaking in a tub for extended periods of time could contribute to wound breakdown.
You'll also want to wait for at least four to six weeks to take a bath if you delivered via c-section – immersing your c-section scar in water could lead to an infection at the incision site.
For those first few weeks after giving birth, it’s best to stick to showers – and don't worry, they'll probably feel just as relaxing! Use warm water and mild soap, and gently clean your body without scrubbing too hard at your c-section incision site or around your pelvic region.
A sitz bath, which involves soaking your pelvic area in warm water to promote healing, is okay from the get go. That's typically because this type of "bath" is taken in shorter bursts of time (ten minutes, up to four times a day), 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.
Once you’ve been cleared by your healthcare provider, a postpartum bath is a great idea – and an excellent way to sneak in a few moments of self-care. Not only can baths soothe sore and tense muscles, those few calm minutes alone can help with postpartum fatigue.
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Pro tips for your first postpartum bath
Once you’ve received the go-ahead from your healthcare provider to take a bath, keep these tips in mind to make sure your first post-baby soak is as safe and relaxing as possible:
Set the scene. Make sure your bathtub is cleanbefore hopping in. You might want to place a clean mat on the bottom to avoid slipping, and be sure to keep a towel within reach of the tub for after.
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Be mindful of your bath products. Anything with too strong a scent or harsh chemicals increases the chances of skin irritation, so stick with gentle cleansers and unscented soaps and bath soaks. If you don't have anything that fits the bill, you can always use baby soap.
Scrub gently. For those first few baths, wash yourself – including your incision site or vagin*l area — by hand rather than with a loofah, bath sponge, or even a washcloth. Scrubbing too hard or with a rough surface can irritate the skin and prolong the healing process. Even better, get soap into a lather and simply let the water drip over your skin to rinse.
Dry off properly. It’s important to dry yourself off after a postpartum bath to decrease the risk of infection. Pat yourself dry rather than rub, especially across the incision site or near your vagin*.
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.
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