Swimming after childbirth, specifically C-Section

[Anonymous]

I have an appointment with my OB tomorrow and will definitely ask, but was curious if anybody knew anything about swimming after childbirth. I am pregnant with my third, due this summer, and was talking to a friend who told me that you need to wait 6 weeks to swim in a pool after you have a C-Section due to risk of infection. I have never had a summer baby, but was hoping to go to the pool and beach within the first 6 weeks. Is this true?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have an appointment with my OB tomorrow and will definitely ask, but was curious if anybody knew anything about swimming after childbirth. I am pregnant with my third, due this summer, and was talking to a friend who told me that you need to wait 6 weeks to swim in a pool after you have a C-Section due to risk of infection. I have never had a summer baby, but was hoping to go to the pool and beach within the first 6 weeks. Is this true?

When would you realistically want to start... 2 weeks post? 3 weeks? You'll likely still be dealing with lochia (ew, I wouldn't want to be in a public pool with that) and your scar may not be fully closed. Might as well wait until 6.

[Anonymous]

I asked when I delivered 2 weeks ago (vaginal delivery, no tear) and was told to wait until after my 4-6 weeks appt.

[Anonymous]

My doc said 8 weeks! But the one before her said 6.

[Anonymous]

Don't know about the c-section thing but I thought you were supposed to wait until after the six week checkup because they want to be sure your cervix was closed again.

[Anonymous]

I went to pool last summer about 5 weeks after c-section but didn't go in water past my knees. Just sat on the deck and snuggled baby under a big sun hat and umbrella. The doctor doesn't want you in water, potentially exposed to germs, until your cervix is closed and your incision has been checked to make sure it's healed.

[Anonymous]

All of the above. First went swimming at ten weeks and it was fine!

[Anonymous]

Yeah, no. There is no way I would go into a swimming pool sooner than 6 weeks post csection. Your cervix might not be closed, and your incision will still be vulnerable to infection.

You couldn't pay me.

[Anonymous]

6 weeks so long as you've stopped bleeding. Otherwise longer.

[Anonymous]

How soon would you swim with any other healing incision?

You need to wait until it has been checked.

[Anonymous]

My first was a late May baby and I had a CS. I am a swimmer and swam laps regularly right up until my due date. Afterwards I was told to wait 6 weeks due to infection risk, and I did. It stunk to wait since it was summer and I love swimming but it went by fast. As others have said you won't want to do it the first few weeks anyway thanks to lochia and the incision healing.