I gave birth 8 days ago vaginaly, my back is killing me and I was wondering if its OK to take a bath as long as I don't add anything to it and my bathtub is clean.

It isn't about the clean bathtub, or not adding anything, it is what ends up in the water from your body that makes the water unhygienic. Why not take a hot clean shower, and a hot compress on your back after.

Hi debgrace,

It will depend on who you ask, and even where you live. In some places it is the norm for mothers to start having baths after giving birth. Some doctors will prefer that you wait until after your postpartum checkup, some will say after you no longer have any discharge, and some will be perfectly fine with it. Consider that it is often recommended to have sitz baths at home during postpartum where you are sitting in a small amount of warm water in your tub.

Best thing would be to ask your own care provider for their recommendation for your postpartum recovery.