C-Section Aftercare-- What do I need?

Israfel · April 2014

(Forgive me if this has been asked before, but I went through a couple pages and didn't see anything.)
My midwives are saying that right now I'm a 50/50 chance at a C-Section next week -- I find out on Monday after another ultrasound.

I had been preparing for a vaginal birth by stocking up on all the stuff I thought I would need:
Overnight pads
Aloe Vera, Witch hazel-- "padcicles"
Tucks pads
Peri bottle
dulcolax
sitz bath
....etc

Now I'm wondering-- if I have a C-Section, will I need any of those? What's the post-partum bleeding like? I would think much lighter? Is the first bowel movement still something to be prepared for?

It is also making me wonder what things I need to stock up on specifically for C-Section aftercare that I might not be thinking about? Any suggestions?
Thanks!

BR · April 2014

You will still need pads, a peri bottle (but I took mine home from the hospital) and stool softeners. I had bleeding for weeks after, but I don't know if it was heavier or lighter than normal because I had nothing to compare to. Also, it helped to have underwear & stretchy pants/skirts that went either above or below my incision. You don't want anything sitting right on it. A pillow to press against my stomach in case I laughed or while in the car also really helped. Good luck.

AcaAwkward · April 2014

I still bled pretty heavily for a few days after my CS... I maybe needed a thick pad for a week? Then a thinner pad for another week or so. I think this really varies.

You won't need the tucks or the witch hazel, etc. Mesh undies are still awesome. Make sure you also have some underwear that is high waisted enough to fully cover your incision without rubbing. Same goes for pants -- I really loved fold-down waistbands; it was great to have a double layer of support over the incision. Some women love belly binders...I was not a fan but they are worth a try!

Because your abs have been literally ripped apart (sorry, graphic), your first BM can definitely be scary. Not to mention with any abdominal surgery can make you constipated. Take stool softeners and just kind of...let it come instead of pushing.

zoopsiedaisy · April 2014

The pillow is such a good suggestion. I had abdominal surgery to remove an ovary which is the same incision as a csection although not as big of a deal by any stretch of the imagination, and the pillow for coughing, laughing, the ride home was crucial. I actually wore girdle type high underwear a day or two after at the suggestion of my SIL from her csection and it helped too.

Abcollins57 · April 2014

Some over the counter ibuprofen. I hate narcotic pain meds, and did not want the drugged up feel when I came home with a newborn so I did OTC ibuprofen and was fine with it.

Bluebird2318 · April 2014

Colace!

Israfel · April 2014

Thanks! I wouldn't have thought of a pillow. That's helpful.
I'm surprised that underwear coming up over the incision feels better than underwear below it? I presume there's gauze and bandages though as well? At what point does the incision heal enough to take those off?

Do the pain medications inhibit breastfeeding at all? I would think they would pass through the breast milk too, which worries me-- but I guess I will ask the midwife about that also.

In terms of belly binders-- would something like the bella bands used early in pregnancy for clothing work? Or is it something else entirely?

AmberT2010 · April 2014

Bleeding is about the same so be prepared with heavy pads or the overnight ones. The first BM is a doozy but take stool softener and drink lots of fluid until that day comes and it will be easier. Abdominal pain where the incision is, so I do recommend the loose fitting undies and clothes. I think a pillow of sorts is a must for the car ride home just in case it's bumpy cause that can be quite a strain on your incision. I didn't have a terrible amount of pain with either of mine (up walking fine doing normal activities in some cases about 3 or 4 days after) so all I needed was ibuprofen. Something I didn't see mentioned in previous replies and I really don't know if it is the same or not, but because they open your belly you end up with a lot of gas afterwards. When you get home make sure that you have someone around to do any kind of lifting more than baby, that includes the carrier/car seat. Not something you need to tackle right away.

RedDawnsRevenge · April 2014

I had an emergency c/s with DD. I bleed for 13 straight weeks after she was born, so you may need a ton of pads. I would invest in compression panties, which would be nice even if you have a vag birth. The compression panties kept my skin flap from roll down over the staples, which hurt like hell. As soon as you are home you should let the scar air out as much as possible. I can't tell you how many PTs have come back through the ER d/t c/s site infections because well meaning OB nurses told them to pad the area with a Kotex... Hopefully we will both get the vag delivery we both want.

Abcollins57 · April 2014

Can someone remind me if you have to treat the incision with anything in particular? I can't remember if you need an antibacterial soap or any kind of creams, etc?

Israfel · April 2014

I've never heard of compression panties before....

Airing out the scar-- check! Good plan. I'm guessing I won't want anything touching it anyway!

Re: antibacterial soap-- I don't know about afterwards, but my midwife did say that if I end up with the c-section I need to wash the day before and the day of with antibacterial soap, and that studies have shown better outcomes if you do that.

RedDawnsRevenge · April 2014

No lotions or potions on the incision!!!!

MalyJ · April 2014

My incision was completely uncovered for good before I left the hospital. If I remember correctly, a nurse took it off soon after surgery (12-18 hours maybe?) and it was never covered with gauze or anything again. I gently washed it with unscented antibacterial soap.

Don't worry about a C-section. I know it can be a scary thought and that it varies for every woman, but my recovery was nothing bad at all. Aside from lifting restrictions and tenderness bending over, I felt "normal" around 10 days post op.

AcaAwkward · April 2014

I was prescribed Percocet which is considered safe for BFing. I alternated them every 6 hours with Ibuprofen.

My incision was
very low -- finding underwear that fit comfortably under it would have been pretty impossible! As long as material fully covered the incision and the band wasn't near enough to rub, underwear that fit over felt great!

Abcollins57 · April 2014

RedDawnsRevenge said:
No lotions or potions on the incision!!!!

Hahaha!! I will remember that!!

bingbongsmama · April 2014

What's a peri bottle?

pigtails1031777 · April 2014

Granny panties for sure

britt33 · April 2014

Israfel said:
Thanks! I wouldn't have thought of a pillow. That's helpful.
I'm surprised that underwear coming up over the incision feels better than underwear below it? I presume there's gauze and bandages though as well? At what point does the incision heal enough to take those off?

Do the pain medications inhibit breastfeeding at all? I would think they would pass through the breast milk too, which worries me-- but I guess I will ask the midwife about that also.

In terms of belly binders-- would something like the bella bands used early in pregnancy for clothing work? Or is it something else entirely?

Mine wasn't covered with gauze. Open/clean/dry. The incision is super low... Like right above the pubic bone. I haven't taken the narcotic pain meds... Even though they gave them to me. They also gave me ibuprofen 600 mg. heavy pads for bleeding/mesh undies/ high cut pants/ stool softener.

WifeofaComposer · April 2014

bingbongsmama said:

What's a peri bottle?

@bingbongsmama - A peri bottle is a small spray bottle that you combine Witch Hazel and water in to rinse your vulva when you pee, instead of using toilet paper - wiping after vag swelling and labor is not very comfy. The Witch Hazel neutralizes the burn of urine on any vaginal irritation.

My top suggestions for post C-section healing are: comfy clothes and undies, a small pillow to hold against the staples for laughing/coughing/sneezing, stool softeners, LOTS of water, prunes, Tylenol (I didn't use anything stronger for my recovery - just be prepared to accept that it hurts, and you'll realize it's not THAT bad), and someone to help you get up from the toilet or lift anything heavier than 10 lbs for at least the first week. Your abs will be FUBAR, and you'll need the help.

ETA: You will also need pads. Good ones.

MissWhis · April 2014

I am day 4 post c-section. I've just been wearing full panel maternity leggings and have switched to my regular underwear. I have had very minimal bleeding, though, so am just using a regular pad. The huge hospital pads would require the mesh undies or some serious grannies. The first poo was a little weird, but not necessarily painful for me - it was just, um, slow motion? If that makes sense? They started giving me colace right away. That probably helped.

Honestly, I haven't needed anything special in terms of surgery recovery. I think in that sense I've had it easy. But I did have a lot of blood loss during the procedure that's been kicking my ass energy-wise and I was one of the "lucky" ones to get a spinal headache, so I've been dealing with that.

I wish I would have stocked up more for breastfeeding - more nursing tanks, hands-free pumping bra, etc. Those are the things I feel like I was underprepared for now that it's after the fact.

Edit to add:

The incision is way too low for any underwear to go under it. It's pretty much right where the top of your pubic hair is.

There is gauze and tape on it for the first 24 hours. Then they remove it and you can shower. It's left uncovered after that. If you have staples they will remove them the morning you are discharged and put little "steristrips" over the incision - basically little pieces of tape that gently hold it together.

RedDawnsRevenge · April 2014

@MissWhis‌ I was actually d/c with my staples and had them removed a week later in office. By the end of the week they had turned and twisted and would stab me very painfully.

Tferr02 · April 2014

I just had my 2nd c section on Friday. I wear serious high waist granny panties for the first few weeks and loose pants or full panel maternity pants. The first 4 days are the worst and then all of a sudden it's easier. Walk as much as you can even though it sucks.

Israfel · April 2014

Thanks everyone! Great suggestions!

bootsiebabe · April 2014

I'm 3 weeks post c section and no longer bleeding. Wore a light pad for the last week. Buy a variety - all I had was super heavy which I didn't need after about 10 days.

I'd grab as many pairs of mesh panties from the hospital as possible and take the meds for as long as you need. And remember to take it easy - that has been hard for me!

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