Dumb postpartum question

[justjen]

Can I go swimming?

It's been a little over 2 weeks. I'm still bleeding, but not heavily. I know I can't use a tampon... I have at least 1-2 pool invitations for this weekend, and damn, I would love to use them. Am I missing something obvious, or am I SOL?

[UnderProtest]

Did the doctor give you the go ahead for baths? How old is your baby?

Personally I wouldn't chance it. I passed clots after thinking I was done with pp bleeding. But I'm kind of on the paranoid side with swimming and periods anyway.

[justjen]

Doc didn't mention baths one way or the other... Baby is 2 weeks, 2 days.

I had a feeling the answer was no, but was hoping I was missing something ;-P

[sewpinkgal]

I feel like my bleeding was on the lighter side compared to what people mention here and I had completely stopped at just past 4 weeks. However, at 2 weeks, I still wouldn't have felt comfortable in a pool. Double check with your OB, but my guess is they'll say to wait until you've completely stopped bleeding.

[UnderProtest]

Yeah, you can call, but I doubt it's a good idea. The idea is to avoid things that could cause infection (tampons, sex, etc). Depending on how clean the pool is....... But I commend you for actually being willing to get into a swimsuit at 2 weeks pp. Still think you are nuts though.

[doctorsbaby]

My midwife didn't clear me until 6 weeks for swimming. Her explanation was the where the placenta detaches from the uterus is basically an open wound until it heals.

[justjen]

Ha- the body was never perfect before the pregnancy, so the swimsuit doesn't bother me. Bedsides, when will I ever have a better excuse to look doughy?

I'm just bummed cause no one's going to be having pool parties 4 weeks from now. Womp Womp.

[Deleted]

I would definitely not go into someone else's pool without a tampon if I was still bleeding or had the potential to randomly pass blood clots.

[jr009j]

Aug 30, 2012 23:24:52 GMT -5 doctorsbaby said:

My midwife didn't clear me until 6 weeks for swimming. Her explanation was the where the placenta detaches from the uterus is basically an open wound until it heals.

This is what my doctor said about baths, so I'm going to guess that if I had asked about swimming, I would have gotten the same answer.

[justjen]

Aug 31, 2012 6:27:23 GMT -5 @lcap said:

I would definitely not go into someone else's pool without a tampon if I was still bleeding or had the potential to randomly pass blood clots.

Yes, this was why I was wondering if there was some "trick" I was missing. Clearly I'm not going to bleed into someone's pool.

[Becca]

I wasn't really bleeding at all at two weeks PP and I still wouldn't have gone swimming. I wouldn't chance it

[Ashley&Scott]

Another no vote, sorry

[Deleted]

Aug 30, 2012 23:24:52 GMT -5 doctorsbaby said:

My midwife didn't clear me until 6 weeks for swimming. Her explanation was the where the placenta detaches from the uterus is basically an open wound until it heals.

This is exactly what my OBGYN said

[beaver12]

Not worth risking a major infection.

[arch01]

my OB said 6 weeks.

[Deleted]

My OB said if I was comfortable I could do it.

[Deleted]

Sorry to be TMI gross, but if you can't use a tampon wouldn't you be bleeding into the pool +o( ? Another vote for no. If you have pool invitations, work on your tan poolside instead and/or dangle your legs in the water.

On another note, would you bring the baby? You can't put sunblock on a 2 week old, and IMHO that seems awful early for him/her to be out of the house for a long period of time. But that's just me. I don't think I did anything recreational (something other than shopping) until 6 weeks PP when I was all healed up.