Safety and effectiveness of routine postpartum bathing in a bathtub: A prospective study in Japan.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of routine postpartum bathing in a bathtub.

METHODS

We conducted a quasiexperimental study at two perinatal centers between August 2024 and March 2025, including women who had vaginal deliveries. Participants were allocated to bathing-restricted or bathing-allowed groups according to institutional policy changes. The primary outcome was postpartum infection (endometritis or perineal wound infection) occurring between hospital discharge and the 1-month postpartum checkup. Secondary outcomes included maternal mental health assessed by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), perineal and pelvic pain, and satisfaction with bathing.

RESULTS

A total of 577 women including 324 bathing-allowed women and 253 bathing-restricted women were involved in the study. No cases of endometritis or perineal wound infection were identified in either group. There were fewer women with an EPDS score ≥9 in the bathing-allowed group (8.3% vs. 12.8%), albeit without statistical significance (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.59 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.34-1.04]). Similarly, perineal pain (32.1% vs. 39.5%) and pelvic pain (62.7% vs. 68.0%) were lower among bathing-allowed women, albeit without statistical significance. Satisfaction with bathing was significantly higher in the bathing-allowed group (75.9% vs. 19.8%; adjusted OR, 14.0 [95% CI, 9.2-21.1]).

CONCLUSION

Routine bathing in a bathtub during the early postpartum period did not increase infection risk and was associated with significantly higher maternal satisfaction. These findings suggest that postpartum bathing may be safe and could improve quality of life.