c-section recovery help

bmacon89 · November 2013

I had a emergency c-section (this is my first baby) and I was told in the hospital to not get my incision wet to always keep dry. But where my incision is my belly rolls over so I cant even see it but I am sweating and its starting to have a smell. I want to keep it clean but not sure how to go about it. Any suggestions?? Right now it has white pieces of tape over it so its not stapled. An I dont want to rub the tape off.

HFrizzle · November 2013

Take a clean dry wash cloth and fold it in half and place it over the incision and under your belly. If you take a shower, get your blower dryer out, lay flat on your bed and on the lowest setting for both heat & force, blow dry the tape till it's dry and replace the dry wash cloth.

pinkelephant8 · November 2013

I had a c section also and when I shower I don't literally clean the incision but water can go over it so I squeeze a washcloth that is soapy right above it and mine doesn't smell I had mine 12 days ago.

ksimo6 · November 2013

I showered normally and just let it air dry before I got dressed. I would call your doctor about the smell. You may be getting an infection.

nbcarlson · November 2013

It shouldn't smell. I would call your dr. Smell can be a sign of infection!

bmacon89 · November 2013

Ok. I had to see my doc last Tuesday for extreme pain and she said it looked good but had redness so I go back Wednesday for another check up I will ask her about the smell. But I will try these things in the mean time.

mrambo3 · November 2013

Weird that they told you to always keep it dry. I was told that when I take a shower to let the water run over it but don't actually clean the area and when I get out of the shower, pat dry the incision and let the tape air dry before putting on my clothes.

I would definitely ask about the smell! Hope it's just because you haven't cleaned it and not an infection!

KerCo51 · November 2013

The doctor told me to run water over it in the shower and then pat dry really well. She also had me but gauze over it daily to keep it dry.

bmacon89 · November 2013

Yeah the nurse said to put my back to the water to not get my belly wet. I still wash my upper belly just not where the incision is.

Slap8out · November 2013

The nurse told me to put a pad on my belly to stop the rubbing, I'm almost 4 weeks out, had dissolvable staples and there is glue across my incision. I had to wet it really well when I first had a shower to get the bandage off, now the glue is still there but slowly peeling off. Of it smells, hurts looks red or bothers you, you most definitely need to get it looked at! My friend got an infection and was in the hospital of 3 days. You need to take care of that incision, I would call my doctor.

Jules122907 · November 2013

I just had my third csect. My dr has always told me to wash the area as normal with antibacterial soap and to pat dry. The first few days out of the hospital I use a pad over it for some extra protection. My dr also had DH clean it twice a day with a half water, half peroxide rinse. I have never been told not to get it wet.

nbcarlson · November 2013

Yeah, the not getting wet part doesn't seem right. I washed my upper belly and let the soap run over it. Then I took my shower head and put it on the gentle spray and rinsed it off. The nurse said not to rub it or put soap directly on it.

marianaz0 · November 2013

I was told 12 hrs after to wash with warm water and soap once to twice a day and air dry, then leave it open to air a few hours daily

I washed it thoroughly with lots of soap twice a day - I had dissolvable staples with the white steri strips on top not sure if it matters

Smelling off is a sign of infection. I'd call. GL

StefMurph · November 2013

I had steristrips over mine. I was told to bathe and then pat dry and then use a hair dryer to get it good and dry. I also cleaned daily with peroxide after they removed steristrips 10 days after delivery.

BrittanyCupcakes · November 2013

I had staples with steristrips over. My doctor told me to clean with antibacterial soap, pat dry, then let it air dry, and then to use a pad over the incision to absorb any sweat/moisture that collects.

After I had the staples removed (10 days PP), I was told to clean it with peroxide.

kristen.rimer · November 2013

Also, try a belly binder to keep your stomach tight and off the incision. It gives amazing support and helps when you are getting in and out of bed early on. I had my c almost 4 weeks ago and the pain was nearly gone a week ago, the binder really helped.

kelle017 · November 2013

kristen.rimer said:

Also, try a belly binder to keep your stomach tight and off the incision. It gives amazing support and helps when you are getting in and out of bed early on. I had my c almost 4 weeks ago and the pain was nearly gone a week ago, the binder really helped.

I had an unplanned c section also and I'm so glad someone told me to ask for one before leaving the hospital. It helped so much. As far as incision, they actually glued mine and I was told I could let water run over it but no immersion (no baths or swimming etc...)

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