Minimum wait if I became niddah right after mikveh, before relations?

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March 13, 2011

Question

Hi.

Two weeks ago I had a miscarriage and then a D&C. The bleeding afterwards lasted exactly one week.

I counted 7 clean days and went to the mikvah this past Friday night. During dinner I went to the bathroom and discovered I was bleeding again – enough to make me definitely niddah. There wasn't time yet for intercourse so that can't be the reason.

Today is Tuesday and the blood seems to be finished. The question is what to do now. I know that another visit to the mikvah is needed. When do I start counting? Do I wait 5 days? Then count 7?

Thank you.

Answer

We are sorry to hear of your miscarriage and we wish you a refuah sheleimah.

As with any time that you become niddah, you need to count seven clean days and immerse in the mikveh.

However, because you became niddah right after mikveh immersion, before even having any opportunity to have relations, this is a special and unique case in which the five-day minimum is waived. You may perform a hefsek taharah as soon as the bleeding has ceased.

This response was updated on 8 December, 2025.