Post csection question

SwetaV · May 2013

I haven't posted on this board but have lurked quite a bit so let me quickly introduce myself... I'm 32 weeks pregnant with boy girl twins and at this point both babies are breech. Chances of a csection are pretty high so I wanted to see if there was some questions you wonderful ladies could answer...

1. What type of underwear is best for post csection use? I am used to thongs and boy shorts. I'm sure that the incision point will get irritated by either of these options so what have y'all found most comfortable?

2. What are the rules on showering after a csection?

2a. Should I bring anything to the hospital that will assist in showering after, if I'm allowed?

3. Any additional info I should know to prep myself for a csection that could help long term?

Thanks in advance for your input!! It is much appreciated!

Worcbride · May 2013

Granny undies work best--they will come above the incision and not irritate it at all

For both of my c-sections (which were both done in the middle of the night), I was able to shower the next night; nothing to bring that can assist you--hubby helped me for the first one (more getting undressed) but I did the second one on my own

Take the medication as prescribed--even if you're not hurting that bad; you don't want to get behind the pain--you want to get ahead of it; oh, and take the stool softener (I didnt the second time around....big mistake)

Best wishes to you and your lil ones!

ladybugpjb · May 2013

1. I wore the same bikini cut undies, but stuck a pad along the inside top edge to cushion my incision.

2. I showered the next day, I think....or maybe late on the same day. I don't remember. The first shower is glorious - I suggest bringing your favorite shampoo/conditioner and let the smell help you relax and feel "normal" again. (Surgery just makes me feel weird and grubby.) You probably won't need anything special to help shower, but might want to have a nurse/mom/DH nearbyin case your legs are shaky or you feel weak. You DO have to be careful of your incision, but I don't remember it being a big deal.

3. Set up your house ahead of time, especially if it's a two-storey house. Your doctor MIGHT restrict you on stairs (once a day), so make sure that you have everything you need on one floor. You probably won't want to go up/down much anyway. You'll have driving restrictions and limits for how much weight you can pick up. Make sure you have someone to drive you to follow-up appointments within the first 2 weeks.

mhaley1107 · May 2013

I wore the giant undies they give you in the hospital. Then I switched over to hi waisted undies. They did put a pad like covering over the incision so it didn't rub against anything. I lived in drawstring sweatpants for weeks haha. As far as the shower goes, I needed help washing my feet because I couldn't bend. A student nurse offered to help with the entire shower at the hospital but I chose not to.

Mama-Bear · May 2013

Mesh panties work, I got tired of them so I went back to my bikini's after a week or so. Every now an then they rub and irritate so I'll wear DH's briefs (he has a handful from his V). I had my twins via c/s at 7:30 am, and this past one was at 5:30 pm, both times I showered the following morning. Wax, shave, or Nair your pubic hair. I took care of it myself b/c I would've done a better job, the nurse that took my bandage off said that sometimes they don't shave low enough (super sticky tape, you don't want a free wax job courtesy of the hospital). When you shower, don't worry about washing your incision, just let the soapy water run over the incision.

GET UP AND WALK ASAP. I was up and walking the halls when my twins were 12 hours old, DH didn't stay with me so I had to have a nurse walk with me to push the bassinet b/c I was unable to. The more you're moving around the easier it is to be up and moving around. The longer I sat on my read the stiffer I became.

mnj05 · May 2013

I wore depends at home. It was so much easier than trying to find underwear that worked and it hurt when I bent over to try to keep a pad in place. I had my c/s at 8pm and was able to shower the next morning. It was difficult, but the shower at my hospital had a pretty good size side to it and I couldn't lift my legs over it to get in. Once I got home, I took a much better shower. To get my legs over the tub, I put my knee on the side and twisted my leg in and it didn't hurt. (Hope that makes sense.) I agree with the pain med advice, take it even if you aren't hurting. Stool softeners are a must, the minute you get home start taking them (some hospitals offer them). It took me probably 8 days to finally go but it didn't hurt because I took those softeners every day.

annabelle.27 · May 2013

Great big granny undies. Everyone raved about the mesh underwear in the hospital but I found them to be uncomfortable and they caught on my staples.

I don't remember any particular rules about showering. I will say, though, to bring someone with you. I wasn't allowed to eat or stand up for the first day after the surgery, and when I was given the okay to move around, the first thing I did was head to the shower. I was lightheaded from not eating and the steam from the shower almost made me pass out. I remember desperately trying to grab on to something to hold on to while screaming for my husband, terrified of fainting and ripping the incision open on the way down.

BabyVmakes5 · May 2013

1. granny panties. First, you don't care if they get ruined by PP bleeding. Second they'll be high enough to not rub up against the incision.

2. I showered the morning after my c-section. You'll be stiff, and it'll be hard to do things like wash your hair. But push through it and shower. The more you move the quicker your recovery will be, and you'll feel better after you've had a chance to shower.

2a. I didn't bring anything but travel shampoo/condition/soap to shower with. They should have towels.

3. Move. It will hurt, and you won't want to, but move. I was walking the day after. It wasn't pretty, but it was the only way I could see my son in the NICU every 3 hours on schedule because they didn't have enough staff to wheel me down there. By the time we left the hospital (6 days later), I was walking and able to navigate stairs with no problem. I had never been that way with my other two so quickly.

camdensmom32 · May 2013

I wore the mesh underwear you get from the hospital, I found them to be the most comfortable. I had an emergency c-section at 10pm and showered the next morning with the help of my boyfriend, you are going to need help washing your body and getting dressed. I also agree to stay on top of the pain meds and get up and move around as much as you can. When they tell you to take it easy when you get home and not over do it LISTEN! I did not and wound up with an infection in my incision and alot more pain!!

amb04006 · May 2013

The biggest granny panties you can find. If it looks like you could fit two of you in them, that's perfect. Also, put a pad horizontally across your incision to keep anything from rubbing up against it.

You can shower the next day. The only thing that will help you with that is another person in there with you.

Take it easy, and make sure you have plenty of help. Just walking and getting up and down from a sitting position will be a challenge for the first week or so. You should be back to pretty much normal a couple weeks out.

Good luck!

Jnyb · May 2013

I wore the mesh undies the hospital provided until they wore out -probably a week after getting released. I should have asked for more as not ruining washable ones was good. Ones that go up to your belly button are good enough. Really, anything that will not hit the incision is good enough. And, you will be shocked by the pure amount of blood that will comeout. Thongs, sexy underwear, etc. after just out of the question as far as comfort goes. If you currently wear the maternity underwear (mine is from Motherhood) where they are super low rise, you will NOT want them so don't even pack them in your bag because It will hit right where the incision is. As far as showering, the hardest part for me was actually walking to the bathroom since I hadn't been up much. Granted, the room I was in was pretty huge and it was probably only 25 feet from the bed to the shower. Once I was in there it was no problem, though. I was told no submersion (tub/pool) for 2 weeks. My hospital was like of posh like a hotel - they provided towels, washcloths, Pantene shower stuff, etc. Maybe if you are set on a particular brand, take your own stuff just in case you don't like what your hospital offers.

As for advice, I would suggest practicing how to get out of bed now. You will not be in the mood to learn after delivery and if you get up wrong it really hurts and can delay healing by the stretching. Probably also not overdoing it. We went out the day after I was released from the hospital (went in Mon afternoon and released Thurs afternoon) and went freezer shopping since ours died literally the night before I went into labor and then went to an event at our church. We were gone all day shopping in the metro for the best deal and features. I probably overdid it that day. But, really I felt great...until the next day. I am so glad my husband did almost all baby care while in the hospital. Baby care while recovering from a c-section sucks.

tracy41 · May 2013

andertrr:

One thing I needed when I got home that's a little different is a toilet seat riser with handles. The nerve pain was sooooooo bad that sitting on the regular toilet was too painful. You can get one at Walgreen's. They're like 80, so if you don't use it, u can just return it.

That would have helped me so much! The hospital will have a bar to help you ease yourself down but once you get home you're on your own and it was a nightmare the first couple days.

Schell2013 · May 2013

SwetaV:
I haven't posted on this board but have lurked quite a bit so let me quickly introduce myself... I'm 32 weeks pregnant with boy girl twins and at this point both babies are breech. Chances of a csection are pretty high so I wanted to see if there was some questions you wonderful ladies could answer...

1. What type of underwear is best for post csection use? I am used to thongs and boy shorts. I'm sure that the incision point will get irritated by either of these options so what have y'all found most comfortable?

I love thongs too but sadly they are not an option. Granny panties that are quite high above your incision work best. You don't want anything tight around there, cause its sore.

2. What are the rules on showering after a csection?
I wasn't told any rules about showering besides having to wait 24 hours in the hospital before I could shower. Just make sure you rinse it well and keep it very dry after.

2a. Should I bring anything to the hospital that will assist in showering after, if I'm allowed?

They should have a chair in the shower that helps a lot. But after 3 days I was able to get into our shower at home.

3. Any additional info I should know to prep myself for a csection that could help long term?

Prepare to have someone help you around town. I was told to not lift more than 10 pounds, and my baby in her carseat is more than that so I have my mom come around town with me. Also clean your house well, catch up all laundry because your DH will have to do most of it. Cook some freezer meals ahead of time cause you will be sore for about a week and not want to do anything.

Also remember to not over do it and accept help when offered and sleep as much as you can when your baby is sleeping.

Good luck!
Thanks in advance for your input!! It is much appreciated!

kreeper611 · May 2013

I wore the mesh ones in the hospital at first and then went to granny panties. I was so swollen with my first that I had to send H to get a bigger size when we got home, so buy a size bigger than you think. After a few weeks I was back in my typical bikini undewear.

As for a shower, I took one after my epi came out of my back the second day. I had a stool in the shower and took mytime and DH helped me also.

SwetaV · May 2013

Thanks to all of you for your input. I've prepped DH on helping me shower the day after and will definitely take all your advice when recovering. Thanks for all the positive thoughts as well, I feel a lot better about the csection now.

Ardmhs83 · May 2013

Granny panties for sure!
These ladies are lucky about the showering because my OB wouldn't let me shower for 2 weeks after surgery. Sink baths only and leaning over the tub to wash my hair was a mess!!!! My OB is old and very old fashion...he said the best way to avoid infection is delaying the shower.
I'd bring in extra loose comfy pj pants and nursing tanks...it will make you feel better to get out of the gown when you can.
Good luck!

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