The safety and effects of bathing in the early postpartum period

Abstract

This study aims to access the safety and efficacy of taking a bath in a hot tub immediately following hospital discharge after a vaginal delivery.

In Japan, women after vaginal delivery are generally restricted from taking baths in bathtubs in their early postpartum period. Although such restriction aimed to prevent postpartum infection, evidence was poorly established. Besides, taking sitz baths at postpartum period have been generally accepted with available evidence in several countries. The sitz baths involves bathing only the lower half of the body or the perineum and buttocks in hot or cold water. Studies have showed that this method contribute relieving pain without the risk of infection by promote blood flow to the perineum and pelvic area. Thus we made a hypothesis that bathing in a bathtub in the postpartum period is safe and beneficial as well.

For postpartum women, the process of childbirth and childcare can place a significant burden on both physical and emotional well-being. Additionally, several unpleasant problems such as perineal discomfort, back pain, and stiff shoulders frequently arise. Bathing in a hot tub is known to improve such troubles, reduced fatigue, and relaxation of the body. We believe that bathing after childbirth may help to improve physical and mental health.

In this study, we will compare the incidence of postpartum infection, perineal wound pain level, back pain level, and pelvic pain level, and postpartum depression scores between two groups: those in which bathing in the bathtub is prohibited before the postpartum checkup and those in which bathing in the bathtub is permitted.

Perspectives

• The results of our study may demonstrate that postpartum bathing does not increase the risk of infection and improve physical and mental health of mothers.It is a possibility that, in the future, mothers will be advised to bathe in a hot tub in the early postpartum period.

Comments from principal researcher

Rinko Ibi (National Center for Child Health and Development, Department of Obstetrics)

The postpartum period is a time of significant physical, mental, and social change for women, and many experience stress during this interval. We think that helping women to bathe in the bathtub in the early postpartum period will help them feel less stressed and hope that our research will help improve the quality of life of Japanese postpartum mothers.

Shared Researchers

Misao Nakanishi (National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology)