Mikveh After Childbirth

After giving birth, most women bleed for several weeks. When the bleeding stops, one can do a hefsek taharah, count shivah neki'im, and immerse in the mikveh.

The procedure is exactly the same as after a menstrual period, but it does not always go as smoothly. The median duration of postpartum bleeding (lochia) is 28 days and it can stop and then start again. Often, a woman will get a clean hefsek taharah, but find that bleeding resumes during the shivah neki'im. One should not hesitate to ask halachic questions during this process. If a woman encounters difficulties, a rabbi may permit her to omit or modify some of the bedikot. It may also be necessary to show stains or bedikot to a rabbi, especially those with a brownish discharge.

If a woman finds the moch dachuk uncomfortable, she may omit it during the time that her body is still recovering from childbirth.

Most health care providers instruct women to delay marital relations until about six weeks postpartum. A woman who is able to complete her shivah neki'im before this point may immerse in the mikveh so that the couple can stop keeping the harchakot.

Although bleeding at this stage is still normal, the six-week postpartum visit is a good opportunity to raise any questions with one's doctor. If the couple are considering using contraception, this is also the time to discuss the available options.

It is normal not to get to the mikveh until at least a month or two after giving birth. If difficulties continue after two months, it is worth discussing the situation with one's rabbi and one's physician.