How long do you really have to wait to swim after giving birth?

Question

I had a baby on 8-4 and my Doctor says I have to wait 6 weeks to use our swimming pool. That's the rest of the summer! I'm wondering if anyone did it sooner without any ill effects. I think he's being overly cautious.

Answer 1

I did and at first i was fine then i got a bad infection and i had to stop breast feeding cause it would make her sick so be careful you could alway find a hotel with an indoor pool! lol
you message me anytime.
sincerly a mom of a 2 almost 3 year old and a newborn

Answer 2

Swimming After Giving Birth

Answer 3

Swimming After Birth

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
How long do you really have to wait to swim after giving birth?
I had a baby on 8-4 and my Doctor says I have to wait 6 weeks to use our swimming pool. That's the rest of the summer! I'm wondering if anyone did it sooner without any ill effects. I think he's being overly cautious.

Answer 5

I waited six weeks. Also, you'll probably bleed on and off for about 4 to 6 weeks and you can't use tampons, so other people might not want you in the pool!!! If you've had stitches, you don't want to risk infection. I'd wait. Sorry! I know that's not the answer you want to hear. I gave birth to twins last July and missed swimming the rest of the summer... It was a bummer, but I didn't want to take the chance.

Answer 6

You want to at least wait until your not really bleeding and not using a pad. Some women bleed longer than others so it varies. I have had four kids and each time it was different. I would wait AT Least 3-4 weeks and see how it goes. My dr's all told me that once I hit about a month I could take a bath, just not a very long one. You also will want to remember, all those chemicals in the pool will not feel comfortable on all that traumatized tissue down there. It is the same for sex..kinda...dr's say to wait for the 6 week check up, but that is usually erring on the side of extreme caution. I only waited 6 weeks after my first child and I am completely fine. Anyway, I am rambling...as I side, it is better to err on the cautious side than end up sick or with an infection. Plus, who wants to go swimming wearing a huge pad?

Answer 7

Follow the doctor's advice. They didn't go to medical school for nothing. It's in your best interest to wait at least 6 weeks after giving birth. You will force water into your vagina and cause an unsafe environment for healing properly. You want to risk getting an infection, ignore the doctor, but if you would like to be able to enjoy your baby without complications, you will listen to him and wait. You always have the pool to use next year.

Answer 8

I would wait until the stitches heal, definitely. There's a reason they tell you to shower and not take a bath until the stitches are gone. If you shouldn't be taking a bath, you shouldn't be swimming. There is still a chance of infection, even in a chlorinated pool.

Answer 9

If you're still bleeding I don't see how you could go swimming since you can't use tampons. You wouldn't want blood in your pool, right? At least wait until the bleeding stops, then I think it would be fine to swim.

Answer 10

The only reason they say to wait 6 weeks before heading in the water is because of bacteria.. you gave brith, your cervix will still be open for a while and that can allow bacteria from a pool to enter giving you a nasty infection. If you had an episiotomy, you don't want it to get infected. If you have stitches, you don't want to risk them coming out and causing you to heal improperly.
While your doctor is being cautious, he is not being overly cautious. He's taking your having just given birth into consideration, and possibly saving you from a nasty infection.