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Postpartum exam while staining

29 May, 2021
Question:

I am scheduled to see my doctor for my ‘six–week’ post–natal appointment next week.

I am currently eight weeks after birth, am clean after going to the mikva, taking the mini–pill, and am staining.

My OB GYN is a frum lady.

Is there any way to undergo the usual check at that appointment without becoming a nidda?


Answer:

Mazal tov on the birth of your baby!

A standard post-partum examination includes a pelvic exam and a Pap smear. These exams do not themselves make a woman niddah. Bleeding resulting from either of them may be attributed to trauma (as dam makkah), which does not make a woman niddah.

You are under no obligation to ask your physician if she sees bleeding or to look and see if there is anything on her gloves after examining you. If she performs anything non-standard, then be sure to what the procedures are, with what instruments, and if she thinks she might have caused any bleeding or seen any non-uterine site of irritation.

Following your doctor’s visit, you can head off unnecessary halachic questions by being careful about the laws of stains (e.g., wearing colored undergarments and waiting between urinating and wiping). You can learn more about these laws in our articles on staining and toilet paper.

Please be in touch with any further questions.

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