I had a D&C procedure today. As per my Doctor, I know I am not allowed to have sex for two weeks post–op. Since I started bleeding a week ago, I have already finished the five-day minimum and I can start counting clean days as soon as I can get a good hefsek tahara.

Here is my question. I expect to be able to go to the mikvah days before I am medically cleared to have sex. We are newlyweds, and not touching or snuggling is so difficult. If I go to the mikvah, although I can't have sex that night, will it at least allow me to not be in niddah so we can hug, kiss, and feel each other: It would be so much easier than the guilt pangs each time we accidentally touch. It is so important at this early stage of our relationship to express how we feel with physical contact. Even just a hug or a pat on the back to say "thank you" for something nice we did for one another– to put these positive reinforcement feelings into our relationship now is invaluable. I'd say it's a shalom bayis issue for us both.

My question is, can I go to the mikvah knowing we won't be able to have intercourse, but at least halachically we are allowed to be physically close?

Thank you.