When can i take a bath after giving birth with stitches

Bathing After Birth: How To Do It Safely

Having a bath is a quintessential form of self-care for many women, so it's natural that you'd want to have a relaxing soak in the tub as a new mum.

Your body is likely to be sore from your epic labour efforts, you're probably sleep-deprived and mentally you're doing your best to adjust to life with a newborn. A warm bath sounds like bliss.

But while you've been taking in rafts of information about newborns and postpartum care, one question might have been overlooked.

How long after birth can I have a bath?

There's also more to postpartum bathing than your regular tub bath — get ready to become best friends with Kin's Sitz Bath.

Can I have a bath after giving birth?

The answer varies based on whether you had a vaginal delivery or a caesarean section (commonly known as a C-section).

If your baby was delivered vaginally, you should be able to have a bath in the days after giving birth (best to check with your doctor first) — much sooner than if you've had a C-section.

If you have stitches after tearing your perineum, don't fret, it's fine to have a bath.

In fact, it's recommended to bathe your stitches every day to help prevent infection. This can be done in the bathtub, or more frequently using a sitz tub.

Unlike a full bath where you typically submerge and wash your whole body, a sitz bath is when you place a small tub on the rim of your toilet and sit on it to soak your perineum in a few centimetres of water.

The Sitz Bath includes our soothing Sitz Salts and smartly designed Sitz Tub to relieve tender and sensitive skin during pregnancy and postpartum.

How soon after giving birth can I have a bath?

You might be pleased to know that after having a vaginal birth, you can have a tub bath whenever you feel ready within the first week of postpartum recovery — as long as your doctor has given you the go-ahead.

However, one thing to be aware of is that it's not recommended to have a bath immediately after giving birth.

Having a hot bath one hour after welcoming your baby into the world can dilate the blood vessels in your uterus, potentially leading to increased bleeding, dizziness and fainting.

To take care of postpartum perineal pain after vaginal delivery, you can start taking a sitz bath 12 hours after giving birth.

For those who've had a C-section, some patience is required.

You'll have to wait until your incision has healed and your doctor tells you it's okay, before taking your first bath post-birth. Generally speaking, this can take around three weeks.

Taking a bath after a vaginal birth

A lot happens to the genital area after vaginal birth. The incredible strength of your pushing may result in a torn perineum from your baby's head squeezing through.

This often requires stitches.

Some women may even require an episiotomy, which is when a midwife or doctor cuts the perineum to assist with the birth.

This cut is stitched together. As scars start to heal, the skin of your perineal area can also feel quite itchy.

It's also common to experience haemorrhoids after pushing. These are when the veins in your rectum become swollen and sore. Yep, it's a lot to deal with.

There are a couple of treatments that can help provide relief.

Along with the use of ice packs and pain medication, bathing can be a soothing experience for new mothers as it provides additional pain relief and helps you relax.

If you have stitches, regular bathing is also important for ensuring your genital area is properly cleaned.

Other things that can help with your body's healing process include drinking two to three litres of water and eating a balanced diet to make bowel movements easier, and doing pelvic floor exercises as advised by your physio to increase the blood flow in this area.

Taking a bath after a C-section

While it's important to keep your incision site clean to prevent infection, you should avoid taking a bath or using a sitz bath until it's healed.

Having a shower and simply letting the water and mild soap run over the incision area is enough to keep it clean.

Don't scrub it in the shower and when drying off, don't rub the incision. Instead, gently pat dry with a clean towel.

You'll be able to take a bath after your caesarean section once your doctor gives you the green light.

Even after a C-section delivery, you're likely to experience some of the same aches and pains as a vaginal birth.

Your vagina may feel sore and uncomfortable from labour.

You may also have haemorrhoids from the pressure of your growing baby during pregnancy. Soaking these body parts in a sitz bath can provide relief.

Safe ways to take a post-birth bath

You might not feel 100 per cent ready to take a regular bath and that's okay.

One of the safest ways of taking a bath postpartum is by using a sitz bath — Kin's Sitz Bath has been designed to relieve tender and sensitive skin during pregnancy and postpartum. The Sitz Salts contain anti-inflammatory Epsom Salts that relieve constipation, shrink haemorrhoids, reduce perineal swelling and nip itchiness in the bud.

These handy dandy small tubs that fit in your toilet bowl are a great alternative for creating a mini spa moment while also comfortably and safely taking care of yourself.

Warm sitz baths gently clean your sensitive areas without the need for scrubbing and further aggravating the area.

Their convenient size also means they are easy to thoroughly clean, reducing the risk of infection.

C-section mums, even when they've been told by their doctor that their incision site has healed, may still find it challenging to get up and down for tub baths in the first six weeks of giving birth.

A sitz bath is a more easily accessible and ergonomic option for relieving postpartum discomfort around your vagina.

When bathing, if you notice some changes such as increased pain, unusual smells, red swelling, pus or liquid, seek advice from your doctor or midwife.

What are the benefits of postpartum sitting baths?

The great thing about sitz baths is that not only do they have physiological benefits to help your body recover, but they're practical for your day-to-day life as a mum.

Studies show that soaking the perineum in the warm water of a sitz bath promotes effective wound healing due to increased blood circulation and reduced inflammation.

Our Sitz Bath kit also comes with bath salts. These Sitz Salts are formulated with specific ingredients to relieve tender and sensitive skin.

Epsom salts shrink haemorrhoids, reduce perineal swelling and soothe itchiness.

Coconut oil and almond oil moisturise the skin, while witch hazel and lavender oil have antibacterial properties that help prevent infection.

Lavender oil is also well-known for its calming effects, which is always handy when dealing with a crying baby or trying to get quality sleep.

Compared to a bathtub, a sitz bath is a lot more convenient to use when you consider some postpartum instructions recommend bathing your vaginal area two to four times a day.

Sitz baths are quicker to fill, use less water and don't require getting your whole body wet. Our Kin Sitz Baths are also compact and collapsible for discreet storage.

How to use a sitz bath after birth

For any new mamas who haven't used a sitz bath before, here's how you do it. You'll need a Sitz Tub, Sitz Salts and an uninterrupted chunk of time in the bathroom.

You'll be sitting in the bathroom for a while, so take a few minutes to create a relaxing atmosphere. Pick a playlist, light a candle, grab a book or anything else you need to set the mood.
Place the Sitz Tub on the rim of your toilet. Make sure it's secure and not moving around.
Fill the tub with about 10cm of warm water.
Test the temperature of the water with your wrist. We advise using your wrist because this is where your skin is the thinnest and most sensitive. You want the water to feel nice and comfortable, not so hot that it burns or causes more pain.
Mix 100g of Sitz Salt into the water for extra pain relief and relaxing aromatherapy.
Sit down and fully submerge your perineum in the water. Chill here for 15-20 minutes while you breathe in the calming scents and enjoy whatever you've brought into the bathroom for entertainment.
When you're ready, slowly get up and dry yourself. If you can, it's best to let yourself air dry. But if you can't, gently pat yourself with a towel, being careful not to rub the perineum.
Clean the tub and store it away for next time.

Then you're done! Enjoy your postpartum bath, whether that's in a bathtub or Sitz Tub. Relax into a moment of self-care and let the warm water and Sitz Salts work their healing powers.

When can I take a bath after giving birth?

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 vaginal 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.

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.

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 clean before 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 vaginal 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 vagina.

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.

Read more:

Is it safe to take hot baths while pregnant?

Is it safe to use a hot tub during pregnancy?

The benefits of self-care for new and expecting parents

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Postpartum hygiene

Congratulations! You have become a mother!

The postpartum period is no less important and responsible stage in the life of a family than pregnancy.
The postpartum period lasts 6-8 weeks (begins after the birth of the placenta and ends when the organs and systems that have changed during pregnancy return to their original state).
In the process of healing the inner surface of the uterus, postpartum discharge appears - lochia, which is a wound secret. Their character during the postpartum period changes: in the first days, lochia has a bloody character; from the 4th day, their color changes to reddish-brown; by the 10th day they become light, liquid, without blood, and after 3 weeks there is practically no discharge. There may be discomfort due to uterine contractions. To relieve discomfort, bend forward and gently massage your belly. If discomfort in the uterine area occurs during feeding, try choosing a different position. It is convenient to feed lying on your side. The stomach may ache for another reason. It hurts the abdominal muscles that were actively involved during childbirth, try to relax or do a light massage.
In most non-nursing women, menstruation occurs on the 6-8th week after childbirth, more often it comes without the release of an egg from the ovary. However, ovulation and pregnancy may occur during the first months after childbirth. In lactating women, the time of the onset of the first menstruation after childbirth can be delayed for many months.
The normal postpartum period is characterized by a good general condition of the woman, normal temperature, sufficient lactation. For the prevention of infectious complications, strict adherence to sanitary and epidemiological requirements and personal hygiene rules is important.

POSTPARTUM HYGIENE
The strictest cleanliness is essential.

The mother should take a shower twice a day (morning and evening), then wash the mammary gland with soap and brush her teeth.
Particular attention should be paid to the cleanliness of hands. Nails should be cut short, hands should be washed more often with soap and be sure before each feeding of the child (if the hands are dirty, you can infect the child, infect the nipples).
Among the hygienic measures of particular importance in the postpartum period is the maintenance of cleanliness of the external genitalia and the surrounding skin.
Should be washed with warm water and soap (liquid with a dispenser, because microbes feel great on lumps) with a fluid stream, washing the genitals should be from front to back (from the pubis to the anus) after each visit to the toilet at least 4-5 times a day (you need to go to the toilet exactly at such a frequency that the filled bladder does not interfere with uterine contraction).
Wash hands cleanly before washing.
Keep the pads clean, change them every 3-4 hours, regardless of fullness. Remove pads from front to back to prevent microorganisms from entering the vagina from the anus. If there are seams on the perineum, they should be washed thoroughly enough - you can simply direct a jet of water at it. After washing, you need to dry the perineum and the seam area by blotting the towel from front to back.
Do not take a bath for the first 6 weeks after giving birth. This is due to the fact that the entrance to the vagina is not yet closed enough and pathogenic microbes can penetrate into it along with water. It is clear that at this time you can not swim in the pool, river, lake, sea.
The use of tight underwear is strictly excluded, as it puts significant pressure on the perineum, which disrupts blood circulation, preventing healing.
If there are stitches on the perineum, a woman should not sit down for 7-14 days (depending on the degree of damage). At the same time, you can sit on the toilet already on the first day after childbirth. By the way, about the toilet. Many women are afraid of severe pain and try to skip bowel movements, as a result, the load on the muscles of the perineum increases and the pain intensifies.

To avoid constipation after childbirth, do not eat foods that have a fixative effect. If the problem of constipation is not new to you, drink a tablespoon of vegetable oil before each meal. The stool will be soft and will not affect the healing process of the stitches.

Underwear and bed linen must be cotton. We change underwear daily, bedding - at least once every three to five days.
Stitches after caesarean section do not require special care. After the stitches and bandage are removed, you can take a shower. Do not scrub the seam area with a washcloth. With painful sensations in the anterior abdominal wall, a postpartum or postoperative bandage, which must be worn for 4 months, will help to cope. Young mothers are often interested in: will the seams come apart if you carry a baby in your arms? For the first 2-3 months after surgery, it is recommended to lift no more than your child's weight.

It happens that redness, irritation, bloody or purulent discharge occurs at the suture site. This indicates suppuration or divergence of the seams. Then you should immediately consult a doctor in a antenatal clinic.
Sexual life after childbirth can be resumed after 6-8 weeks. By this time, the woman's body is already completely back to normal. Your doctor will advise you on contraceptives.
To fully recover from childbirth, at least two years must pass before the next pregnancy.

BREASTFEEDING
Feeding the baby should not go by the clock, but on demand, incl. at night time. At one feeding, put the baby on one breast so that he suckles for a long time and receives later milk, which contains brain and intelligence development factors, growth factors and immunoglobulins. Later, the milk comes in droplets like colostrum, the child sucks it intermittently. Sometimes the mother at this moment thinks that the child is indulging and tearing him off the breast. You don't need to do this. Let him let her go.
Breast milk is the best food for a baby!

After the baby has had enough, the mother should carefully feel the mammary gland. If the breast is soft and there is no soreness and seals anywhere, then pumping is not necessary. If necessary, you can wash the mammary glands with warm water after feeding, starting from the nipple and ending with the armpit, and dry with a clean towel.

Very useful for breasts after childbirth and air baths, which are best taken after feeding, to give the breast a chance to rest, "breathe". The duration of such an air bath may not exceed 15-20 minutes, but the benefits of it are enormous.

The nipple should be carefully inspected daily, the surface of which should not be cracked, and as a preventive measure, leave a drop of milk on the nipple and let it dry in the open air.

Only breast milk should be used as the main and only product for feeding a newborn. The use of nipples, horns and "pacifiers" is unacceptable, as this leads to a weakening of sucking in newborns and, accordingly, to incomplete emptying of the mammary gland, a decrease in prolactin production.
Are you worried about the question - do I have enough milk?
To resolve this issue, you need to observe the child, if he urinates more than 6 times a day, then he receives a sufficient amount of milk. The reason for a decrease in the amount of milk can be:
- rare feeding break (3 or more hours)
- if you do not feed at night
- short feedings or by the hour
To increase the amount of milk, you need to rearrange the feeding regimen, feed often and for as long as you want child. Try to feed with one breast so that the baby sucks out milk later, you can strain the empty breast for 10 minutes, thereby increasing the flow of milk. It is necessary to improve the mother's nutrition or use herbal teas to increase lactation.

NUTRITION
Nursing mother's nutrition should be rich in calories (3200 kcal), balanced with the proper amount of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and microelements. This diet will be dominated by lactic acid, protein foods, fresh fruits and vegetables. Food should be rich in vitamins and minerals. Spicy, fatty, fried, smoked foods, canned food, sausages, alcohol and potential allergens for the child (chocolate, citrus fruits, coffee) should be excluded from the diet.
The food of the puerperal should be 5-6 times a day. It is necessary to distribute products in the daily menu in such a way that those that are rich in protein and are much more difficult to digest in the gastrointestinal tract (meat, fish, cereals) would be used during the first half of the day, and in the second half it is advisable to give preference to milk. - vegetable food.

Conditions requiring special attention

Unfortunately, the first month after childbirth does not always go smoothly. Situations may arise, when medical attention is needed . Monitor your well-being, regularly measure your body temperature, as fever is most often the first sign of complications in the postpartum period.

All complications of the postpartum period can be divided into several groups:
1. Complications of the uterus.
Subinvolution of the uterus - a decrease in the rate of contraction of the uterus, due to a delay in the uterus of postpartum discharge. The disease often occurs 5-7 days after childbirth, due to the closure of the cervical canal with a blood clot or a piece of membranes, as well as the inflection of the uterus due to relaxation of the ligamentous apparatus.
Infection of the contents of the uterus can lead to inflammation of the uterine mucosa - endometritis. Predisposing factors for the occurrence of endometritis are difficult childbirth, violations of the separation of the placenta during childbirth, infections of the genital tract during pregnancy, impaired immunity, abortion. Symptoms of the disease are: fever, unpleasant odor in lochia, aching pain in the lower abdomen. If these symptoms appear, you should consult an obstetrician-gynecologist at the place of residence. To clarify the diagnosis, an ultrasound examination is performed and, if necessary, surgery, during which the contents are removed from the uterine cavity (washing or curettage of the uterus). After surgery, antibiotics must be prescribed.

2. Breast complications.
Laktostasis - stagnation of milk in the mammary gland. At the same time, the chest swells and becomes painful, foci of seals appear, a short-term rise in body temperature is possible. In itself, lactostasis is not a disease, requiring only gentle pumping of the breast, restriction of fluid intake, and frequent feeding of painful breasts. However, when an infection joins, it turns into lactational mastitis, requiring immediate medical attention , antibiotic therapy, and sometimes surgery. The question of the possibility of breastfeeding with mastitis is decided individually, depending on the stage of the disease.
Another complication of the breast is the appearance of cracks in the nipples. The main reason for their appearance is improper attachment of the baby to the breast, when the baby captures only the nipple, and not the entire areola. Such a seizure is very painful for the mother - and this is the main danger signal. Breastfeeding doesn't have to be painful. Good advisory and practical help for lactostasis and cracked nipples is provided by breastfeeding consultants. Treatment of cracks consists in treating the nipple with wound healing drugs.
Hypogalactia - insufficient milk production. In order to increase the amount of milk, a mother needs to increase the frequency of feedings, not skip night feedings, offer her baby both breasts in one feeding, drink more, eat well and sleep a lot.

3. Complications from the tissues of the cervix, vagina and skin.
Inflamed wounds of these tissues are called postpartum ulcers. When an infection is attached, these wounds swell, become covered with a purulent coating, and their edges are painful. For the purpose of treatment, they are treated with various antiseptics, sometimes they require surgical treatment.

4. Complications of the venous system.
Hemorrhoids (varicose veins of the rectum) also cause pain. When infringed, they increase, become swollen, tense and painful. Thorough hygiene helps to reduce pain (shower after each visit to the toilet), applying ice to the perineum. Certain medications can be used as prescribed by a doctor.
Thrombophlebitis is a disease of the veins characterized by inflammation of the venous wall and thrombosis of the vein. After childbirth, thrombophlebitis of the pelvic veins most often occurs. Usually this disease occurs in the third week after childbirth. In terms of symptoms, it is very similar to endometritis, but requires a different treatment. Surgeons are involved in the treatment of complications from the venous system.
Complications after childbirth require immediate treatment, as they can lead to a generalization of the process - postpartum peritonitis or sepsis. Therefore, if something bothers you in your condition, be sure to consult a doctor.
You must come to the antenatal clinic for the first time 10 days after discharge from the maternity hospital.

We wish you a safe postpartum period with our advice.

Raevskaya Zh.G. - head. Obstetrics and Physiology Department of ME "GKRD No. 2"

Woman after childbirth. Gynecological consultation

What are the peculiarities of intimate hygiene if there are stitches in the perineal area? When will postpartum discharge end? When will the milk come? How long does it take to start rebuilding a figure? Do breastfeeding mothers need protection? When can you return to intimate life? How to prevent the development of postpartum depression? According to obstetrician-gynecologists, these questions concern absolutely all women who have just become mothers or are preparing for this event in the near future.

Svetlana Stasevich, head of the obstetric observational department of the 1st City Clinical Hospital of Minsk, an obstetrician-gynecologist of the highest qualification category, spoke about the intricacies of the postpartum period at the online women's health marathon. The event was organized at the initiative of the Health Committee of the Minsk City Executive Committee.

Question 1. When will my bleeding stop?

The postpartum period begins immediately after the end of childbirth and lasts 6-8 weeks. It distinguishes between the early postpartum period (the first 24 hours) and the late one. Postpartum discharge is called lochia. Their appearance is absolutely normal.

Svetlana Stasevich: “The first three days of lochia are red, by the 5th-7th day they become sanious brownish. By the 10th day - whitish-yellow. Complete cessation of discharge occurs by the 5-6th week after birth.

Question 2. Why do I still have contractions, because I have already given birth?

Within 6-8 weeks after birth, the size of the uterus decreases, its weight decreases from 1000 g to 60-70. Gradually, all organs that carried a double load during pregnancy (kidneys, liver, heart, lungs, etc. ) return to work in the previous mode.

Svetlana Stasevich: “Uterine involution may be accompanied by irregular but painful contractions of the myometrium, which are more pronounced in multiparous women. There is no need to worry about this. These contractions are especially intense during breastfeeding. Therefore, through breast milk, not only nutrients from the mother to the newborn come, not only there is a closer contact between them, but also the prevention of all purulent-inflammatory diseases in the postpartum period occurs. In the first days after childbirth, intermittent weak pains in the area of soft tissue injuries of the birth canal may also disturb.

Question 3. When will I have milk?

More and more women are breastfeeding. The policy of joint stay of mother and child in the maternity hospital also contributes to this.

Svetlana Stasevich: “In the first 2–3 days after childbirth, the mammary glands produce colostrum. From the 4th–5th to the 15th–18th day after birth, “transitional” milk is produced, and only after that does true breast milk appear with a relatively stable composition.

After childbirth, a healthy woman in labor can return to her usual diet. The first three days, food should be rich in fiber, lactic acid products that contain lacto- and phytobacteria. This is necessary in order to restore bowel function. You should not abuse carbohydrate foods, sugar, confectionery, cereals. This affects the composition of milk, it reduces the content of proteins.

It is necessary to limit the use of the so-called. obligate allergens (products that most often cause allergic reactions): chocolate, coffee, cocoa, nuts, honey, mushrooms, citrus fruits, strawberries, some seafood, because they can cause unwanted reactions in a child. Alcohol and smoking are strictly prohibited.

Question 4. When can I start playing sports? I want to get back in shape.

Instagram moms tease the public by appearing with perfect figures as early as 7-10 days after giving birth. In real life, without photoshop and filters, it is often necessary to wait a little before starting physical education.

Svetlana Stasevich: “If the birth went without ruptures and incisions and there are absolutely no contraindications, then you can start playing sports even the next day after discharge. It can be morning exercises: exercises for the neck, arms, back, abs. As well as Kegel exercises - rhythmic contractions of the perineum. They need to be done 5-6 times a day for 8-10 contractions. After natural childbirth with tears / incisions, a minimum load can be allowed only after a month. More difficult training (fitness, gym, swimming pool) can only be started after 2 months.

Recovery after a caesarean is a more complex and time-consuming process. The first loads are permissible only 2 months after the birth of the baby, gradualness is important here. Long walks are recommended.

Question 5. I have a stitch in my perineum after giving birth. How to wash properly?

Tears and incisions during vaginal delivery are common. Such seams require careful observance of the rules of intimate hygiene.

Svetlana Stasevich: “It is forbidden to take a bath, sauna, hot shower, swim in open water, pools for the first 6 weeks after childbirth. You can only take a warm shower with soap - in the morning and in the evening. And you need to wash yourself after each visit to the toilet (at least 4-5 times a day) with warm water, preferably with liquid soap without fragrances, a fluid stream, wash the genitals from front to back (from the pubis to the anus). Women often say: "I have stitches, how can I wash?" Do not be afraid. After each visit to the toilet, lather your hand with soap and wash all your stitches on the perineum. Then pat them dry with a soft towel. In no case should you rub the seams.

In general, in the postpartum period, after taking a shower, the so-called air baths are recommended: 15–20 minutes to be without clothes. This benefits the mammary glands and promotes better healing of the sutures. The use of slimming underwear in the postpartum period is categorically excluded. Underwear and bed linen should be cotton. Can be used disposable. But it should not be lacy, slimming, tight underwear, thongs.

Also check the frequency of the pads, change them every 3-4 hours regardless of how full they are. If there are stitches on the perineum, a woman of 7–14 days (depending on the degree of damage) should not sit down.

Question 6. How to care for the stitches after a caesarean section?

C-section recovery begins with stitch care. In the first days after the operation, the treatment is carried out by medical personnel. On the fifth day after the operation, the suture is removed.

Svetlana Stasevich: “Self-care of a wound necessarily implies compliance with the rules of intimate hygiene, wearing natural cotton underwear. It is necessary to start processing the scar only after taking a shower. During bathing, it is forbidden to use a washcloth in the wound area or rub it with a brush.

Until the seam is completely healed, the woman in labor is prohibited from heavy physical labor, weight lifting. It is necessary to avoid work that is associated with inclinations, squats, tension in the abdominal muscles. While at home, a woman should carefully monitor the condition of the wound, monitor the rate of keloid formation. If any suspicious symptoms appear (seals, infiltration, discharge from the suture area), a visit to the clinic is mandatory.

Question 7. When can I resume my sexual life after childbirth?

It is recommended to abstain from sexual intercourse for 6-8 weeks after childbirth. Why?

Svetlana Stasevich: “Abstinence at this time is necessary for contraction of the uterus, restoration of damaged tissues. Prior to this, the cervix is open, and pathogenic microorganisms can enter through it, which can lead to inflammatory changes in the uterus. Therefore, until the bloody discharge from the vagina ends, it is recommended to postpone the resumption of intimate life.

Question 8. Is it necessary to use protection immediately after childbirth?

Lactational amenorrhea lasts approximately 6 months after delivery. Some women rely on the period of breastfeeding, believing that there is no risk of becoming pregnant during this period. Is it so?

Svetlana Stasevich: “Lactation is not a method of contraception, even if you often put the baby to the breast. After normal childbirth, protection should be up to a year. After a caesarean section - one and a half to two years. The choice of contraceptive method (intrauterine contraception, gestagen-containing drugs (mini-pills), barrier methods, voluntary surgical sterilization) depends on the condition of the woman, laboratory parameters. On this issue, you need to contact the antenatal clinic.

Question 9. I am afraid of postpartum depression. Can it be avoided?

The term "postpartum depression" is familiar to everyone in our time. There are many reasons for this: modern life is full of stress. In cases where the condition is severe, you can not do without the help of a specialist. But in many cases, an attentive and careful attitude of the family is enough.

Svetlana Stasevich: “Prevention of postpartum depression should be carried out starting from the 6th day after childbirth for at least two weeks. The support and understanding of relatives and friends, especially the husband, is of primary importance. In the first month, you need to limit the reception of guests, even with the best intentions, as this requires additional efforts from the woman. It is important not to overload a woman who has given birth with household chores, to allow her to regain her strength, to adapt to her new role as a mother. It is useful to get enough sleep, including going to bed 1-2 times a day. Another factor is a complete balanced diet that helps the body recover. Food rich in protein, slow carbohydrates, enough fat - all this directly affects the condition of the mother.

The postpartum period is a special time of getting to know the smallest member of the family, taking on new roles, new worries. The habit formed during pregnancy to be sensitive to the state of her body and several important rules will allow a woman to go through this stage as calmly and without shocks. Looking at a sleeping baby, we can say with confidence: it's worth it!

Materials on the site 24health.by are informational in nature and are intended for educational purposes. The information should not be used as medical advice. Diagnoses and prescribes treatment only your doctor. The editors of the site are not responsible for possible negative consequences resulting from the use of information posted on the site 24health.