showering in the hospital after c/s

spout3 · September 2011

newbie to c/s

did you/were you allowed to shower in the hospital after the baby was born? are there any restrictions with showering, not getting scar wet etc?

DD 1 was born vag and i was able to shower twice while i was there (it felt good) haha

BeachM · September 2011

This was one of my complaints about my hospital. I asked multiple times a day for a nurse to help me shower. I kept being told "after the shift change." The day I was discharged the nurse said "You haven't showered yet? Why not?".

My incision had tape over it and I believe it was safe to shower with it on. Who knows though, since they also seemed surprised my tape was on so long. No one told me I could remove it!

So, demand to take a shower whenever you want to and it is reasonable to do so. I will be so amazingly annoying with baby #2 they will probably discharge me early.

kcvasquez · September 2011

I wasn't able to shower until a day and a half after my c/s, but I think it's because they didn't want me to get out of bed for 24 hours. They didn't give me any restrictions as to not getting the scar wet, however the nurses said not to wash it with soap (like rub it, ouch!) but I don't know who would really want to do that? She just said for me to wash my body and any soap that runs over it is good enough for cleaning it.

I did shower twice while I was there, but it took awhile just because I was so sore! I had also labored for 22 hours before the section so that contributed to it. I have heard that a lot of scheduled c-sections are easier though! Good luck!

rachbenn2007 · September 2011

I took a shower the next morning and every morning of my stay with the help of DH. First time my incision was closed up with derma-bond so that was easy just gentle wiped around my incision, second time I had staples (had a reaction to the derma-bond dr decided to use staples 2nd time around), so I was very careful not to use anything that would get caught on the staples and pull them out.

lite-bright · September 2011

Yes, I was able to.

My aide helped me in, and she took out my catheter at that point, too. It was a tub/shower with high sides and I was still in a lot of pain, so getting in and out was a challenge and I had to take it very slowly.

I had steri-strips over the incision and no restrictions on it getting wet. No scrubbing or anything, of course, and I was careful to make sure that the incision area got plenty of airflow afterwards so things weren't staying damp.

It still felt great to be clean!

disbride061103 · September 2011

Both my boys were born around 12:30 in the afternoon. In both cases I took a shower the next morning. After surgery I had a bandage covering my incision. It was removed the next morning and I was told I could shower. As far as doing anything special, use a mild soap, rinse well and pat the incision site dry very well.

pettycrocker · September 2011

I think a lot depends on the hospitals policies.

The nurse came into my room the morning following my section, took off the bandage and told me to get in the shower. No one helped me out of the bed or into the shower, incidentally I ended up fainting in the bathroom after I got out of the shower and had a lot of complications with my c-section because of it.

Make sure you ask for help, even if you feel fine.

msjcordova · September 2011

Taking shower was the one thing I could not wait to do! When they finally let me ( on my 3rd day there) It took more out of me then I thought it would. On day 3 I could get in and out of bed on my own as well as use the restroom with no help, the shower was a different story. Half way through I was so tired and almost had to get out. I was told to not let the water run on my incision and to make sure I dried it well when I got out.

RoxBride · September 2011

DD was born just before 7 PM, the next morning the nurse helped me out of bed and to the bathroom, and helped me clean up with a squirt bottle. It was hard but felt good. By that afternoon I was able to get in the shower. No issues with taking care of the incision besides making certain that it was very dry before putting on undies.

spout3 · September 2011

Thanks everyone!! Glad I kind of know what to expect now.

"Can't wait" haha

Serena52308 · September 2011

DD was born at 1:40am and I showered about 36 hours later. Had to wait for the OB to clear me and then for DH to run home and get my fancy shower gel and pouf so I could maximize my enjoyment

Even with a tomb-like stall and crappy water pressure, the post birth shower was in the top 5 showers of my life

pepomntpat · September 2011

I showered on my own around 18 hours after my c/s and daily thereafter. I had no restrictions on the scar being wet though I wasn't supposed to soak in a tub. Showering was not an issue. I didn't feel I needed help, but DH was there if I really had needed it.

twirl&whirl · September 2011

I was able to shower day 2 at the hospital, I was going to after they took my catheter out but I wasn't feeling 100% and my nurse wasn't super helpful, so I waited and was able to shower on my own. I had a bandage patch thing over my incision which the Dr said to shower with and just let it fall off naturally.

Shoshi10 · September 2011

I showered the next morning. They told me to take off my bandage but to leave the steri-strips until they fell off themselves. They were allowed to get wet but I didn't scrub on them or anything.

mama livingston · September 2011

I had DH help me take a shower. I took one 2 days later b/c I felt so crappy, But then the third day I couldn't take it anymore and I asked DH to help me while my mother and sister took care of DD. The only thing I was told was not to wash the incision site, just let the soapy water go over it from washing my hair or something.

618mom22boys · September 2011

I showered the next day with both. There was no tub so I didn't have to step over anything. And they also had a chair in there if I needed to sit. DH was at work and I didn't want to bother or wait for a nurse so I did it on my own.

ghdst1 · September 2011

Yes they allowed me to shower 1 or 2 days after the c/s. They told me to use a shower seat and sit facing away from the water so to allow the water to flow down my back. They didn't want water directly hitting the scar. It was awesome.

lewis514 · September 2011

I had my c/s at about 330pm and I showered the next day - midday. I had already gotten up 2-3 times to use the bathroom (once assisted, the rest DH was in the room but I got up myself). The nurse said she would help me shower but I wanted my Mom to help me so I waited for her to get there. She only needed to help me a little bit. When I was done, I did need to sit on the toilet to get my underwear, etc on. It felt great though!

jonnygurl76 · September 2011

i showered the 2nd day and then the 3rd and at home on the 4th day. Dh helped me in the hospital--he stood right outside the shower just in case, LOL, but i was fine. they just told me not to directly put soap on the incision--to wash above it and rinse. it could get wet, i had staples and then medical tape. the tape fell off on its own and my staples were removed the 4th day before i left to go home.

Jennairess · September 2011

I had my daughter at 227 am, later that morning the nurse helped me clean up in the bathroom with the peri bottle and a sponge bath, they took the foley cath out the next day and my IV and I was able to take a shower than...doc said to let the water flow on my bandage and let it fall off in the shower...felt great to take that darn shower ill tell you that!

goldenleaves · September 2011

I think I showered the next day in the evening. Time was super fuzzy for me, so I don't completely remember. They had a chair in the shower, so I mostly sat on that. It felt SO good to wash/blowdry/straighten my hair. I even put on makeup!

akayf · September 2011

Had my c-section on Tuesday night. Took a shower on Thursday and Friday. The nurse told DH to make sure he went in the bathroom with me. he handed me the soap, shampoo, etc. as I asked for it and helped me rinse my hair. The nirse said to push the emergency button in the bathroom if I needed help.

emma&katiesmom · September 2011

With both of my girls I had showers the next morning after the c-sections. The nurse came in after breakfast, I had my catheter taken out and the nurse (and my mom) helped me up and into the bathroom to try to urinate and then I was in the shower. It felt glorious.

pitterpatter129 · September 2011

PinkLily1234:
...The whole bathroom was basically a shower, there was no step up or anything. My DH didn't have any extra clothes since we hadn't planned on a c/s and apparently he packed lightly. He was getting soaked trying to help me so he ended up getting naked too.
I don't know why we didn't send our LO to the nursery. We rolled her crib right to the bathroom door and left the door open (she was sleeping). Poor DH got walked in on by flower delivery people, a newborn photographer, my OB and two nurses while we were naked in the shower... together. We know next time that LO will go to the nursery and we will CLOSE the bathroom door if he has to help me!

HA!!! That's a great story! My DH also had to get in with me because I just couldn't do it on my own. He stayed in his boxers though. I needed help getting in and out of our tub at home and getting dressed for awhile. Everyone else seems to have been able to do those things themselves, so I have hope that my next csection will be a shorter recovery period! I was so happy to take that shower at the hospital! I had 23 hours of labor/vaginal almost birth before an emergency csection. I felt sooo icky. All I wanted was to smell like soap!

genekelly · September 2011

I was able to shower as soon as I felt up to it after the c/s. It did feel good! MH was there outside the door to assist if I needed it(which I didn't).

KaylaO1024 · September 2011

I was able to shower the next morning (had csection at 934pm). My husband was on the way up there, and they refused to let me wait for him..the nurses left the room and I started to black out and had to scream for someone to help me. My hospital sucked tho

Mrs. Stew · September 2011

I showered about 24 hours after my c/s. They had a shower seat in there and DH had to help me in and out - the tub had really high sides. I didn't wash my hair - it was late and I was completely exhausted - I washed my hair during my shower the next day.

Sa039ra · September 2011

I showered the next day (DS was born at 11:00am). It was amazing and really helped me to feel human. DH did have to help me get dressed and put underware on after. Oh the joys of childbirth

Aloe0l · September 2011

I was required to get up and shower 12hrs after my csection. I didn't think I was ready, but, it was worth it. They had a seat in the shower, so I mostly sat vs stood, but it felt great to get clean.

I also had to go for walks around the maternity floor several times a day to help with healing.

faith194 · September 2011

I think I showered 12-16 hours after my cs(DS was born at 10:55 PM) after the leg compressors came off. . .It is soo fuzzy. I think I showered every day after that. Having my own shower gel/shampoo was nice. I do remember that. It was just a walk-in shower. Bring shower shoes.

sarahandeddiejune212008 · September 2011

DD was born at 7:56am and I was able to shower the next day. I had a big bandage over my incision and I took it off in the shower. My hospital had different rooms for c/s patients so my shower was a walk in with a shower chair. It made showering so much easier. The only issue I had was my OB and the ped both came by when I was in the shower. My OB checked my incision while I was in the shower, we both kind of laughed about it. Next time around I will wait until after rounds to take a shower.

egingras · September 2011

I showered on day 3. I would have on day two, but a water main burst and there was no running water in the hospital. It was super awesome.

hermione76 · September 2011

I took a shower as soon as they took the cath out. I had my husband there and he helped me take a shower. I felt more comfortable having him help me. The nurses were amazing and offered several times.

I had a shower every day that I was there. It made me feel better.... more normal.

Leap08 · September 2011

I showered multiple times during the 3 days I was in the hospital after my c-section. My c/s was late Thursday afternoon. I was able to get up and shower Friday mid-morning.

lilylow · September 2011

I got in the shower the day after my c/s and then promptly passed out on the toilet. Fun times let me tell you.

Gummybear · September 2011

I was able to shower the next day both times. It was a shower with an adjustable shower head and a chair and I had no problem doing it on my own either time (unplanned with labor and planned)

ivs112 · September 2011

I showered the following morning, after they took my catheter out. My mom helped me and it was a real pain in the a$$ with the stupid IV still attached.

bringontherain61805 · September 2011

PinkLily1234:

I was induced on a Thursday and had to stay in bed with the exception of using the restroom. My OB and the nurse promised I could shower first thing Friday morning and labor in the tub if I chose to on Friday. They ended up requiring constant monitoring and did not allow me to shower or use the tub on Friday.

I had a c/s at 7pm Friday night and honestly the only thing I remember asking me OB was when I could shower. She said 12 hours post op and that she would encourage me to get up and shower and make sure it was in the nurses notes.

I talked to the Friday night nurse about wanting to shower and she completed all of the necessary fall risk tests a tiny bit early and said I was all set to shower at 7am Saturday when I hit the 12 hour mark per my OB's orders. On Saturday morning the new nurse said "maybe after dinner" when I asked when I could shower. I flipped out and started balling. I have never wanted a shower so badly in my life. She freaked out that she upset me so badly (she was really young and probably a newer nurse). She said I couldn't shower alone and that she couldn't help me at that moment, but if I promised to sit in a shower chair and if my DH stayed with me that I could shower.

The whole bathroom was basically a shower, there was no step up or anything. My DH didn't have any extra clothes since we hadn't planned on a c/s and apparently he packed lightly. He was getting soaked trying to help me so he ended up getting naked too.

I don't know why we didn't send our LO to the nursery. We rolled her crib right to the bathroom door and left the door open (she was sleeping). Poor DH got walked in on by flower delivery people, a newborn photographer, my OB and two nurses while we were naked in the shower... together. We know next time that LO will go to the nursery and we will CLOSE the bathroom door if he has to help me!

That was SOOO us when we had our son Our 2nd LO was a preemie in the NICU, so I wanted to enjoy every minute of having our son in the near us. Next time, LO goes to the nursery and a big DND sign will go on the door

kjennnn · September 2011

I had a planned C,so I showered the morning of my C, DS was born at Noonish, and I showered again the next AM when my catheter was removed. DS ended up in NICU and they weren't going to let me see him until tomorrow AM, but I threw a fit and they had me get out of bed and into a wheelchair that night. So by the AM I had already been upright and they were OK with me showering alone as long as DH was outside of the door. It felt fantastic although had to sit down to put on the fabulous mesh undies (they really are great!!).