Queesland-based Mum’s Grapevine Due Date group member Jess is hot and bothered after giving birth, and really wants to take a dip. But she’s not sure if it’s safe.
The hot weather really has me struggling but I only gave birth two weeks ago and am not sure if I can go for a swim? I’ve been told public pools are a no-no for at least six weeks, is that true?
– Jess, Summer 2022/23 Facebook group member
Mums Grapevine expert, Specialist Obstetrician Dr Gary Sykes explains why even baths are no-go-zones after birth. And the answer has to do with lochia and healing.
If you have vaginal bleeding (lochia) after delivery it suggests that the uterus lining has not fully healed. Because of this, swimming or any other water activities (including even taking a bath) are associated with the risk of infection (endometritis or infection of the lining of the uterus).
You should only have showers and no swimming, baths, or spas until after the lochia ceases.
If you have had trauma to the vagina, vulva, or perineum with delivery, then until there’s full healing there’s the risk of infection. As well as prolonged immersion of the sutured area in water, excessive activity in the first weeks can result in sutures not holding and the sutured area splitting open.
The amount of childbirth trauma will vary and so you need to be guided by the person who did the suturing to determine what period is appropriate to delay swimming.
So there you have it, if you had a vaginal birth you can go swimming once you’ve stopped bleeding and any trauma is healed.
Read next…
- Q&A: When can go I swimming after a c-section?
- Q&A: Incontinence after birth: Just how normal is it?
- Purple Crying: Why some babies cry more than others
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