Hellobee Boards

I showered a few hours after I gave birth too! I was a nasty mess. Smelled so gross.

Ugh I think it was 3 days. I felt so gross and that first shower was one of the greatest feelings ever!

@cyndistar3: Wait, like a BATH, bath? Or like a sponge bath? I've always been under the impression that sit down baths were a BIG no-no immediately after birth, and for the six weeks after. (Because of the increased risk for infection) At least, that's what I've always been told by the nurses and docs......

@Wondermommy: An actual bath. My midwife always offers a nice herbal bath with baby after birth.

My mom SWEARS there is so ancient Vietnamese/Chinese secret about not showering for a MONTH after giving birth. Something about your pores opening up with all of that pushing... who knows?

I haven't been there yet, but I plan on showering as soon as I physically can. I sweat so much on a regular basis that I am super stanky after a day.

@mrbee: that sounds HORRIBLE. I would not make it.

Oh I hate to be gross, but I did the Chinese confinement and didn't have a proper shower for a month. I'd sponge bathe every other day with a boiled lemongrass and ginger water concoction my mom made for me. She would also help me shampoo and wash my hair, but I was only allowed to use very hot ginger water. @Mr. Bee: you're totally right about how great that first shower feels!

@HabesBabe: I was told not to shower for a month... after I already showered! I was warned that my husband's cousin didn't listen to the aunties, and she now has chills during that time of the month.

I showered the next day when I had enough energy to get out of bed, and it felt so good to rinse off the "I just pushed out a baby" smell.

About 24 hours when I had enough people there to handle the baby and he had been nursed and was good for a bit so I could do what I needed to do since I didn't know how long it might take me. It felt great to go through my normal routine and look presentable again.

Within an hour or two, before I moved from the delivery to the hospital room where we'd be staying.

This is so awful, but it was six days! I took a shower when I was in labor the morning before I gave birth (Wednesday) and I did spend most of labor in a tub, but I lost so much blood during delivery that there was no way I could stand up to take a shower during the next two days in the hospital (although I felt semi-clean with lots of sponge baths). I went home Saturday and was about to get in the shower Sunday morning when I hemorrhaged and went back to the hospital via ambulance. I had emergency surgery and showering was the last thing on my mind when I came to after that. When I finally went home on Tuesday and showered (while my husband waited outside the door insisting I shouldn't be standing that long and freaking out that I'd pass out), I can truly say it was THE BEST shower of my life!

@Mrs. Marbles: I want to know more about it too. I heard about Chinese confinement on NPR a couple of weeks ago; it intrigued me.

I took a shower about 3 hours afterwards. First, we all needed a nap.

My epidural took a long time to wear off on one side so I had to wait until the next morning.

I agree w/ Pelikila, felt great to look/feel presentable!

I waited until the next day. DH had gone home to sleep (DD was born in the middle of the night) and I waited until my mother got to Toronto so she could watch the baby for me.