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

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Unsure of wait before toilet paper

27 January, 2007

Question:

I am currently 7 weeks postpartum and am trying to get to the mikvah. Unfortunately, because it has been so long I have gotten out of the habit of being careful in the bathroom.

Yesterday I had a clean hefsek tahara, although I forgot to put in a moch. Today (Day 1) I had two clean bedikot. However, tonight I accidentally looked at the toilet paper after urinating, and there was a plug of brownish mucus on it with some red in it.

I am not sure if I waited 15 seconds before wiping, since I had been reading in the bathroom and it was also my second wipe. I tried recreating my actions while counting out loud, and it was at least 10 seconds since urinating before I wiped, but I cannot say with certainty that it was 15 (though it is likely).

Do I have to start over again, or can I apply the rules of stains and count tomorrow as Day 2?

Thank you.


Answer:

In the situation you describe, in which at least ten and probably more seconds passed, you may disregard what you saw on toilet paper and continue counting your clean days.

See our article on Toilet Paper for more details.


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