A (possibly) helpful post C-Section tip

kjennnn

I just remembered this..after I showered and put on the mesh panties, the nurse told me to take one of the extra thick maxi pads and stick it to the inside of the waistband of the underwear so that the absorbent part was up against my incision. The pads absorbed any drainage, and also kept my yoga pants from rubbing on the incision. It also buffered any bumps or kicks from DS or bumping into furniture, etc. I did this for awhile even after going home.

It might be commonplace, but a few friends didn't get teh same advice so thought i'd pass it on!!

Timshel17

I actually did that too, on my own. Then when a nurse checked me, she told me not to because keeping the pad there keeps moisture there and you risk infection. Makes sense, and I didn't know why I didn't think of that sooner, but it felt so good!

pepomntpat

I think that would have helped. I wish I had been given that advice!

twirl&whirl

That's a good idea! I used the gauze that they provided, but that makes so much more sense, I'm going to do that for the next c-section.

detokiet

I wasn't given this advice. I just used gauze. I made my husband help me replace the gauze for the 2 weeks or so after I'd showered because I couldn't see what I was doing. 

lovebugkim

My nurses told me to do this exactly!! It worked wonders and I would highly recommend it. To keep the incision dry after showers, I would pat it dry with a towel and then place the pad there. I never had a problem and did not get any infections.

RobynK

Another tip is to use a hair dryer to dry your incision completely after a shower. 

girllennon

I did that, too, and I had even bought ahead of time extra mesh undies. I wore the maxi pads over my incision for two weeks. I didn't have much drainage at all, but I had a tape burn from the bandage removal, so it eased the friction on the incision.

stacinsean

My nurses advised this for both of my c-sections as well too. The pads at my hospital didn't have sticky stuff on the opposite side so maybe they were a little breathable? Either way, I did it for about two weeks until I was brave enough to let things rub against me. Definitely the way to go!

AubriesMomma870

my doc told me to take a hair dryer to my incision after showers

Corey-chick

Hmm, I never tried that. It seems like it would have gotten caught on the staples. Oh, and am I the only one that never had drainage? My incision seemed perfectly seeled from the get go.

MeghanF13

Timshel17:

I actually did that too, on my own. Then when a nurse checked me, she told me not to because keeping the pad there keeps moisture there and you risk infection. Makes sense, and I didn't know why I didn't think of that sooner, but it felt so good!

This. But I did use one when driving home to keep the seatbelt from rubbing against the incision.

AubriesMomma870

i never had drainage either, n everything has looked good from the start too.

bulbasaur359

I was never notified of this. I didn't have any issues with drainage though. Could be because my incision was closed with glue. It was really sticky after awhile but no actual drainage. Maybe it's for those who had staples. My friend had staples and had drainage. The mesh panties in the beginning were awesome btw!

ghdst1

The nurse at the hospital recommended a rolled up wash cloth and do the same.  It allows the wound to breath but not get irritated.  It worked well.

thefarmchick

One of the other things that helped me was to wear my belly band(stretchy tube that let me wear my reg pants undone in the beginning of preg) when I was in the car or up moving around.  It helped me feel like I was "held" together better.

clarks415

Thanks!! I never heard that before but sounds like a great idea!