You can take a bath after childbirth, however some providers say wait a few weeks before taking a postpartum soak. It is generally best to wait for about 4 weeks or until you’ve gotten the go ahead from your doctor before taking your first postpartum bath.

In those first few weeks of postpartum, your cervix is somewhat dilated whether you had a vaginal or cesarean delivery. Some researchers believe that the tub water could travel to the uterus and introduce bacteria that will cause an infection. However, this research is not confirmed.

If you’ve had a perineal tearing or episiotomy during childbirth, soaking in a tub for an extended period of time could contribute to wound breakdown.

You also want to wait for 4 to 6 weeks to take a bath if you delivered via c -section because immersing your scar in water could lead to infection at the incision site.

It is best to stick to showers for the first few weeks after childbirth. Use warm water and mild soap to gently clean your body without scrubbing too hard at the incision site or around the pelvic region.

A sitz bath which involves soaking your pelvic area in warm water is okay. This is because this type of bath is taken in short bursts of time usually ten minutes up to four times a day using only 2 to 3 inches of water.