Nishmat's Women’s Health and HalachaIn memory of Chaya Mirel bat R' Avraham

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Third attempt at hefsek postpartum

24 May, 2006
Question:

I am a month after birth.

I have twice started the 7 clean days. Both times I had a problem on a bedika after only a few days. Am I better off waiting a bit before trying again, or should I try another hefsek tahara right away?

Is it a problem to do the hefsek on Friday night. (meaning mikva following childbirth would be on Friday night)?


Answer:

Mazal tov on the birth of your baby!

There is no halachic problem with doing a hefsek on Friday, or with immersing Friday night following childbirth (please read the article about Friday night immersion posted on our site if this is your first Friday night immersion). There is also no halachic problem with trying to count seven clean days again immediately. We would only be concerned with the emotional effect of trying again too soon and being disappointed.

Keep in mind that the nature of postpartum bleeding is to come and go periodically, and many women find themselves bleeding on the fourth or fifth day of the seven clean days. If you think the bleeding has subsided, we suggest you try again, keeping all this in mind so you are not too disappointed if things don't work out.

Since this is the first time you are going to mikveh postpartum, you should omit the moch dachuk. If you continue to have difficulty completing your clean days, please get back to us.

Behatzlachah!

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