Hi Cecilia,
I am going to deliver in a week and I have lot of questions on hygiene issues during the confinement month as we are not suppose to bath/wash hair.
• Since I’m not allowed to touch water, in the first 14 days, can I wipe my body with warm herbal water? What about washing my hands?
• Do I also need to brush my teeth with warm water?
• Can I wash my face and use skin-care products? Or should I wait until the 14 days are up?
• Can I also wipe my stomach and use stretch mark oils?
• Is it true that I can only wash my hair after 14 days? If yes, warm water also? Some people have told me that I can only use water which has been boiled, and hot water from the heater is not considered boiled. Can I use shampoo?
• How often should I clean the episiotomy wound? And how do I do it?
• Can I apply anything on it which will help it to heal faster?
• I understand that we are advised to not consume ginger during the first 10 days if we are breastfeeding? Do you mean consuming ginger directly? What about dishes cooked with ginger?
Thanks!
Sylvia
Hi Sylvia,
It is ok to wash yourself with warm water. You need to keep yourself clean to prevent acquiring any infection especially your perineal area and after using the toilet so that you do not pass any germs to your baby. The recommended practice nowadays is that after 14 days, you can shower every day using boiled herbal water. This includes washing your hair which you should dry thoroughly immediately by using a hair dryer. It is ok to apply some lotion if your skin is dry.
If you have an episiotomy, soaking it in salt water will help the healing process and prevent infection. You should do this twice a day using cool water. Herbal water does not have the same healing effects. Instead of using a rough towel to dry the wound, it may be less painful to use soft toilet tissue which is also more hygienic. Take extra vitamin C to help promote healing. Finally, do not apply anything on the wound. Ginger is known to sometimes interfere with wound healing and increases the risk of jaundice in the baby if you are breast feeding therefore it is best to avoid it altogether for the first 10 days. You can use pepper which has the same heaty properties as ginger. Once you have passed the 10 days it is quite safe to eat any amount of ginger.
Regards, Cecilia
