Post c/s supports?

Temp6313048411121614

I know I've posted about freaking about a c/s a ton over the past couple of weeks (sorry, pretty soon it'll all be over and I won't bug you anymore).  I've heard that when you get up you should hold a pillow to your incision.  I know they have support-type belts for pp (to help belly "shrink" faster), didn't know if they had any kind of belt to help hold everything tight for comfort or if I'm just way over thinking things.  I'm just so worried about the recovery (my vag birth was a piece of cake, I can't imagine having my belly cut open), so anything that'll make it easier sounds pretty good to me.  TIA.

pea-kay

they will probably give you an abdominal binder in the hospital. it's a really wide piece of elastic, really (like a foot wide) with velcro to hold it shut.

i didn't use it though, but i probably should have.

HisLobster

I wasn't given anything like that. I did use a pillow or hold my hand over the incision the first couple of days (sometimes anyway), but after that, I didn't use anything. Just get up slowly.

KLyn

pea-kay:

they will probably give you an abdominal binder in the hospital. it's a really wide piece of elastic, really (like a foot wide) with velcro to hold it shut.

i didn't use it though, but i probably should have.

 

That's what I got and I LOVED it!  it was a pita to get on but it helped a lot withe pain from moving around. 

jlc071903

at my hospital they gave me a pillow to use...when I got home I used a post pg support belt to wrap around my stomach...it REALLY helped, so worth ALL the $$ (30) that I spent..I got it at BRU.

jbl126

KLyn:

pea-kay:

they will probably give you an abdominal binder in the hospital. it's a really wide piece of elastic, really (like a foot wide) with velcro to hold it shut.

i didn't use it though, but i probably should have.

 

That's what I got and I LOVED it!  it was a pita to get on but it helped a lot withe pain from moving around. 

this and I loved mine.  I wore it when I had to go back and forth from the hospital after I came home.  I think it really did help.  Held everything in place.  But I did hold a pillow to my stomach at times too.

omalley

pea-kay:

they will probably give you an abdominal binder in the hospital. it's a really wide piece of elastic, really (like a foot wide) with velcro to hold it shut.

i didn't use it though, but i probably should have.

I had this on at the hospital too for a few days but it was a bit awkward and big and was cutting into my skin so I took it off.  I did hold a pillow or a rolled up blanket onto my stomach/incision when I was getting up and I remember that helping.

The biggest advice I was given was to make sure I at least stand that first night (I walked from my bed to a chair) and try to walk the next day.  It is not fun (stay on top of your meds) but it really does help in the long run. 

I was so scared of recovery but mine was much better in reality than I had imagined.  You will do great! 

abbzy85

I used a pillow like the first and second day, after that I just got  up slowly. I really had very little incision pain, just pain from the cramping and occasionally pain from inside - probably my actual uterus hurting. I bought the medela support band, but it didnt fit properly. If I put where my incision is it pushed my belly up, so I've only worn it a few times. I think it will help better now that my stomach is getting smaller. I also bought a girdle with boning from Target (hanes) that I've found to work nicely.

And btw - really don't worry about the c-section. I freaked out about mine too, but recovery has been a piece of cake and the actual procedure is painless. Plus, I have little to no bleeding and no vaginal trauma. It's great.

lulugirl

I had a c-section with DD and did not use anything afterwards and I wish I had. The biggest issue I had was not the bleeding, pain or any of that but the feeling of having my stomach just floppy around my incision.

This time I have bought a few compression tank tops to help afterwards - probably will not use them for about 2 weeks after surgery. The one that I am most excited about is called the Mother Tucker and it just came out - they also make maternity bands.

That one was kind of expensive so I also went to TJ Maxx and got a few there. I think it will help me this time around.

kiki408

Okay..I'm SO glad I get a chance to share this:

Two weeks ago I had a c/s for the first time. I was equally as terrified as you are.....I mean SUPER scared & worried about recovery. Honestly, I think you'll be surprised at how not-awful it is, especially if it's scheduled. I was very bummed that I was unable to deliver naturally (both girls were breech), but pleasantly surprised about how great I felt in such a short amount of time after the operation. For me, the actual operation (hearing what the docs were saying & not knowing what was going on) was the scariest & worst thing about it.

 My hospital gave me a huge "band" (cant remember the official name), but it was sort of like a corset, that supported my entire abdomen. That helped A LOT. It felt like it "held things together" for the first few days. For me, the second day of recovery was the worst. Just make sure you take your pain meds ON TIME. Morphine didn't work for me. It made me feel goofy, but the pain was still there. I asked for something different and what they gave me worked (Motrin & Tylenol). My girls were in the NICU for a week & I was so busy being there, that I would forget (or just not care) to come back and ask my nurses for meds. That's why my 2nd day sucked so bad, I think. All in all, it was WAY better than I expected, with a few crappy parts here and there. Getting in and out of bed wasnt fun at first, but the more you move, the better you feel!

Honestly, by the time I left the hospital 4 days later, I was feeling little pain. It's been two weeks today & I feel amazing. Just some burning around the incision & discomfort when I cough. It does help to hold a pillow over the incision, though. I still do that if I need to sneeze.

Good luck...I think you'll do really well.