Bath after giving birth: when and how to enjoy one safely?

Returning to bathing after childbirth depends on the type of birth and the state of healing. In the weeks following the birth of your baby, showering is to be preferred. 

Bath after vaginal birth

If a woman has had a vaginal birth without major complications, it is generally advised to wait 4 to 6 weeks post-partum before taking a bath [1]. This waiting period is particularly important to allow the body to recover and the uterus to return to its normal state.

Why wait before taking a bath? After the baby is born, the cervix remains slightly open for several weeks. Until it is completely closed, there is a risk of infection if bacteria present in the water enter the uterus.

Furthermore, immersion can encourage bacterial proliferation and thereby delay healing. After childbirth, the uterus expels lochia — blood and tissue discharge that can last up to six weeks (or longer in the case of breastfeeding). During this period, showers are recommended over baths. Still water in a bath could promote bacterial proliferation, increase the risk of post-partum infections and even slow down the healing process. After this, the return of periods will occur, with bleeding marking the return of menstruation. Bathing will be possible at that stage. 

In the case of an episiotomy or perineal tear, take particular care with the healing process. 

Bath after caesarean section

After a caesarean section, it is advisable to wait at least 6 weeks before taking a bath. Some experts recommend waiting 2 weeks [2]. It is always best to seek advice from your healthcare professional (midwife, gynaecologist, doctor, etc.), as recommendations may vary from woman to woman. 

These recommendations are related to the presence of staples or sutures that have not been removed and to the fact that the incision is not fully healed. The surgical wound must be completely closed to avoid any infection or water infiltration into the caesarean scar.

To support healing, you can try our pregnancy food supplement and the post-partum supplement with collagen and vitamin C. 

When the time comes to take baths again, it is essential to follow certain recommendations:

• Opt for a lukewarm temperature, not too hot.
• Avoid any irritating products [3]. Fragranced soaps, essential oils and bath salts can irritate the mucous membranes and disrupt the vaginal flora. Using a mild soap suited to intimate hygiene is essential to avoid disturbing the vaginal flora. Also choose fragrance-free products. Your baby recognises your scent and the smell of breast milk, which is why skin-to-skin contact is so important. A fragranced soap could unsettle them, especially if you are breastfeeding.
• Limit the duration of your bath to 15–20 minutes. 
• Clean the bath regularly and use a clean towel to avoid any bacterial contamination.
• Dry yourself gently: After a bath, it is important to dry yourself carefully, by patting with a clean towel and taking care not to rub, particularly around any stitches or tears.
• After your bath, wear cotton underwear and avoid tight-fitting clothing to help reduce moisture build-up and irritation.

While a full bath is not recommended in the early days, a sitz bath can be an excellent alternative — as a replacement for or complement to showering. 

What is a sitz bath?

This is a localised bath in which only the lower part of the body (pelvis and perineum) is immersed in warm water. This type of bath may help to [4]:

Relieve post-birth pain, particularly in cases of episiotomy [5] or perineal tears.

Reduce swelling and inflammation.

Relieve haemorrhoids.

Support healing by maintaining good hygiene of the perineal area.

How to take a sitz bath?

Here is how to take one [6]: 

Fill a basin or bidet with warm water.

You may then optionally add herbs or a solution recommended by a healthcare professional.

Sit in the water for approximately 10 to 20 minutes, then pat dry gently.

You can take one several times a day. 

It is also possible to use cold water. One study further showed that this could help to reduce pain even more [7].

The effectiveness of the sitz bath

Research indicates that it can effectively reduce perineal pain. For example, one study showed that the average pain score dropped from 4.50 to 1.73 after a sitz bath with a decoction of star fruit leaves [8].

One study showed that it may also help to improve the healing of episiotomy wounds, even though it was less effective than applying an ice pack [9]. Our cold gel pack perineal pad is an excellent alternative for pain relief and healing. 

Swimming in a pool or the sea after giving birth requires even more precautions than a bath at home. Public swimming pools contain chlorine and other chemicals that can irritate mucous membranes and slow the healing of any tears or stitches. Moreover, these environments are conducive to bacterial growth, which increases the risk of infection. As for sea swimming, the water may also contain micro-organisms capable of causing irritation or infection, particularly in the case of persistent lochia. 

It is therefore generally advised to wait 6 weeks after giving birth and to have your doctor's approval before resuming swimming in open water or in a pool. It is important to wait until you have healed and the cervix is closed. When it is possible to resume, it is important to wear a clean swimsuit, to rinse yourself thoroughly after swimming, and to gently dry the perineal area to minimise the risk of infection.

Swimming can then be a great sport for easing back into physical activity gently. 

A bath after childbirth is a well-deserved moment of relaxation, but it should be approached with care. Whether after a vaginal birth or a caesarean section, waiting for the right moment is essential to avoid any risk of infection. In the meantime, showering is preferable. A sitz bath remains an excellent and beneficial alternative for new mothers during this period. For an optimal recovery, it is always recommended to follow the advice of your healthcare professional (midwife, gynaecologist, GP, etc.).

And for the baby? We wait too. The WHO recommends leaving the vernix intact after birth.