I sadly recalled that you aren't supposed to swim for something like 6 weeks post partum. I plan to ask my appointment on Tuesday about that. I'm actually bummed because I was planning to set up the pool (its like 4 feet deep, but not a permanent one, but it does use chlorine) at the end of May, and have it to swim in during lazy summer days, we got the pool last year and we absolutely loved it, and used it all the time.

But if I can't swim for 6 weeks, that lands me mid-July before I can even use it, the kids can't swim in it alone, and I don't have anyone else to swim with them, so I guess I won't be putting it up until mid summer.

But what about the baby? When can babies go in a chlorinated pool? 6 weeks? later? I have two winter babies, and a spring baby, and we didn't have a pool with the spring baby. I know we did take her in the pool that summer but she was 4 or so months old by then.

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I didn't even think about that. I thought about taking Emily to the pool for about an hour or so, but I forgot that I can't wear tampons and I can't exactly go in the pool wearing a pad.

Well, bummer!

And, sorry, I don't know the answer to the chlorine. Emily was 6 months old before it was an issue.

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I remember I couldn't take a bath for a few weeks but I think that was because I had had a c/s. You know, I am not sure about the baby. But I do wait a while before exposing the baby to direct sun like that. Kate was born in March and we took her in the pool for the first time in August. Matt has melanoma and we see the oncologist every year and he gives us a lot of instructions regarding the baby, the sun, and sunscreen. We're about to see him in 2 weeks and usually after we see him, I post a thread letting everyone know what he says.

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--Kristina

I definitely wouldn't have her in direct sunlight, since she can't be protected other than a hat, sunscreen is what 6 months? 3 months? After 3 in the afternoon the house blocks the sun from the pool though, so its shaded and perfect swimming for a few hours before dinner.

I wonder if you can start swimming as soon as pp bleeding is done???

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You aren't supposed to go swimming for at least 6 weeks, even if the bleeding has stopped, cause you are still kindof open in there and your cervix needs a chance to close up etc. I dealt with this when I had my son in June 2006 - I was invited to a 4th of July pool party with my two kids and so I had to ask the dr. She said its not worth the risk of infection. I did bathe though, my favorite thing to do when I get home from the hospital is take a looooooong bath. Also, I was having lunch with my OB on Friday and mentioned I was going to do mommy and me swim lessons with my youngest (middle) son this summer and she was like uh no, I don't think so... Bummer caues he loves to swim.
Monica

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Hmm I have never heard about not being able to swim until 6 weeks (not saying its not true, I've just not heard it before). I would think it would be okay once the bleeding is done. I guess I hadn't put much thought into it. I have two summer babies and honestly don't remember when I or them went swiming first. We plan on going camping at the beginning of July and it really hadn't occured to me that depending on when baby gets here that I might still be bleeding (gosh I hope not).

sorta off topic but does anyone here use a menstral cup instead of tampons or pads? I use one and a lady from my last DI board did and she was going to check how soon postpartum you could start using it again. I don't remember if she ever found out or what the answer was. That may solve some problems if you could use that. I think one reason you aren't supposed to used tampons soon after is they can dry out too much (I think I could be wrong) and with a cup that doesn't happen. Guess Next week I'll have to check with OB and see what he says. I just used pads for the postpartum stuff and didn't get AF back until baby was 6 months old so I used the cup then.

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Nikki ('78)
DH Chris ('73)
DD Madison 7/11/03
DS Colton 7/18/06
DS Fisher 5/31/08

Oh...yeah...darn! I wasn't thinking about this much regarding *me*. (Keeping baby in the shade, yes) We haven't had warm enough weather around here to give it much thought yet, but my 5yo DD cannot WAIT for summer so she can go swimming a lot. I think casual swimming ("playing with the kids") is fine once the lochia stops, but I always bleed forever. I sure hope it stops before our vaca the first week of August.

This is rather generic and pretty obvious, but, FWIW, here ya go:
Swimming after Pregnancy

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Lyndsey, Matt's oncologist suggests one year. He's more strict than regular pediatricians. Although since he deals with only skin cancer, it's his word I take. Also the sunscreen you use should have the active ingredients of either (or both) titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. Anything else will protect from sunburn but not the rays that prevent cancer. I always post a sunscreen thread and will make sure to do that after our appt April 11th. If there's anything specific you want me to ask him, just let me know and I will!

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--Kristina

Craaaap, thats right. Itll be nice and warm here by then (hard to think of it when there is more snow on the way for tomorrow, 5-8 inches) and we usually go to the aquatic center for the boys. I LOVE swimming. Shoot!
I too bleed forever. I bleed of and on until AF comes, which has always been 5/6/7 weeks pp, even when Im exclusively bfing.

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Rachel
Proud Mother of 2 Boys and a Girl
Isaac David - February 2004
Carson Eli - January 2006
Kianna Rachelle - May 2008





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I was already planning on the fact that I wouldn't be able to take the baby to the pool this summer but my 4 year old loves the water and I've been stressing about the summer almost since I found out I was pregnant. We're doing swim lessons right now to make sure she really, really knows how to swim that way I can take her to the pool and just watch - I thought maybe I could sit on the side and dangle my feet in. I bled for 9 weeks after I had her and if it is the same this time I won't be able to get into the pool for the majority of the summer and it seems so unfair to ruin Ava's summer - dh is not crazy about swimming pools and I don't think I could get him to get in with her. I'm just hoping the bleeding stops quickly this time and I'll wait until I have my doctor's ok to get in the pool.

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