Question:
Hi Rabbi,
I am 7 weeks postpartum and have already visited the mikveh. During this postpartum time, what are the rules? How do I know if I need to make a bedikah?
Answer:
Mazal Tov.
The nidda halachos when a woman is postpartum are basically the same. If you stain you would make a bedikah with the same guidelines as usual. After getting your first period though, you will start a new calculation regarding vestos, as any previous vest sheino kvuah would have been passed cleanly during your pregnancy. These calculations will be like a vestos shaino kavuah, as for right now you are considered a woman that doesn’t really have periods. Therefore you will keep day 30, the Yom Hachodesh, and haflagos after that. If your periods will become a veses kavuah, speak to your local Rov.
Best wishes and you should have a lot of nachas from your new baby.
Sources:
Igros Moshe Y:D 3-52, 4-17(2), Shiurei Shevet Halevi 184-7(4), 189-34 (4), Noda Byihuda 2-86.
