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

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Light premenstrual bleeding and five days

2 November, 2015
Question:

Hi: Thank you again for your wonderful work.

I just got my period for the first time after being pregnant, nursing and then recently coming off the pill. I was using the bathroom and wiped and looked at the toilet paper and it was pinkish (I do not remember if I had waited after wiping but I am almost certain it would not be 15 seconds if I had waited). Around the same time that day, I felt that I was beginning to get my period (felt lightheaded, cramps etc). However, the bleeding was very light throughout the day (I would not call it spotting, but hard to clarify it as a flow).

After I got home from work that night (after tzeit), I told my husband I wasn't sure if I was offically a Niddah since the bleeding was still very light but we should keep the harchakot until I clarify my status. The following day, I definately became a Niddah.

My question is if I can count that first day as the first of my five days? If it makes any difference in the ruling, we're hoping to conceive soon. Thank you.


Answer:

When a woman thinks she might be in niddah and observes harchakot out of doubt regarding her status, she can count that time-frame toward the five-day waiting period.  In your case, although you did not tell your husband until you saw him that night, it would seem that you had in mind to act accordingly already that day and merely waited till you saw him before telling him.  You may count that day toward your five-day wait.

Please write back with any further questions.

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