C section Infection Prevention

[bumpit]

I had a c section just over a week ago. It seems to be healing ok and midwife has taken dressing off.
Do I need to be doing anything to minimise it getting infected?
I have bought a tea tree shower gel but wondered about using a anti bac wound spray on it once a day?
Midwife also said about airing it every day. Feels very ‘exposed’ to me
Anyone have any thoughts?

Don't touch it, keep it dry. Keep yourself clean but don't put anything directly on it (e.g. washing it using hand, sponge, flannel etc) for risk of opening it up or getting an infection in to it.

It helps it you don't have a n overhang as it's much easier to keep dry but I appreciate you can't help that! I used to lie on the bed after showering until it was completely dry before dressing. No patting it dry.

I literally showered as normal but didn't wash the wound directly and ensured it was rinsed thoroughly. I air dried it and left it well alone and it has healed really well.

Midwives told me not to touch it with alcohol or antibac wipes, don't soap it and let it air dry it'll be fine left to it's own devices

Don’t touch it at all, don’t use any shower gel or ointments on it. Let it air dry after a shower, I used to spray it with the shower to clean it but definitely didn’t use any products on it for a fair few weeks.

The tea tree shower gel might make you jump 🥴 I read on here to put a maternity pad across it in your knickers as extra cushioning and also to keep it dry. Did this when I didn't have time ever to be air drying whilst bleeding everywhere and dealing with a newborn.

Big pants!

My midwife advised putting a maternity pad or sanitary towel over it to keep it dry. Also using the hairdryer on cold setting after the shower to ensure its completely dry.

Thanks everyone

How long did people ‘rest’ and how was your recovery?

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Do not use a hair dryer on it, fgs. Any bits off fluff, dust, germs etc will be propelled at speed towards your wound!

Take some vitamin C - speeds up healing and helps prevent infection.

Maternity pad across the scar, inside big pants. Stops any waistband pressing on it.

I was back driving at about 4 or 5 weeks - can't quite remember. Felt ready, doc said it was fine if I felt I could, insurance said it was up to the doc (so up to me). But do take care for ages - make sure you don't sit up straight. Roll onto your side and push yourself up. Your tummy muscles will take a while to knit back together.

2 years post section here, and fine, but it did take a surprisingly long time to feel 'normal'.

I stopped taking painkillers after 10 days. DH went back to work after 3 weeks and I was fine with the newborn and a toddler after that. I did have a minor infection in my incision about 2 weeks pp but it cleared up with antibiotics. GP told me to cover it with sterile dressings until it stopped weeping and then to air it out, but that was because of the infection, usual advice is to leave it alone and air it as much as possible. I found recovery much smoother than my first vaginal birth. I did take it quite easy for the first 6 weeks as I didn't want to pick up the toddler too much so I mainly pottered around the local area and visited friends/family or they visited me. I'd say just do what feels ok, if you do something and it wipes you out or hurts or whatever (e.g. a long walk or lifting something heavier than advisable) then don't do it again for a while and have a good rest afterwards!

I did get an infection in my wound on secon c section and it was because the stitches hadn’t dissolved quickly enough and my GP delighted in tweezing little bits out

2 sections here. 4.5 and 2 years ago. No infections and it healed up really well both times.

I was told to take it easy for 6 weeks - and I did! I think that’s where a lot of people go wrong. They feel fine after a couple of weeks, but the incision is deep, and they push themselves too much and do more damage.

No lifting more than the baby, or doing anything strenuous for 6 weeks. I was allowed to drive though once I was off the strong painkillers (I’m in the US) so after about a week. It’s extremely annoying with a toddler too, and of course there were days I had no choice but to strain myself, but I tried as best as I could and got the help to make it work.

I was told shower as normal. No baths. Just don’t put water or soap directly on the wound. Make sure it’s properly dry, either air dry or hair drier. Try and eat healthily and drink lots of water. Good luck

Clean knickers every day. Wash the wound lightly. Air dry.

Try not to lift anything heavy. If you get up off the sofa press a cushion to your tum.

Wash the wound lightly

^^

By this I mean gently pat the area with a lightly soaped sponge. Rinse Well.

Maternity pad across the scar, inside big pants. Stops any waistband pressing on it.

I discovered this about a week after having my first c section. I wished I'd discovered it sooner as I was very sore from everything rubbing on the incision!

Second time round I did it from day 2 and I think it really helped keep the wound protected, I healed much better. I didn't care what it looked like - actually, no one even noticed despite it feeling rather bulky.Just make sure you change the pad regularly and air out the scar every day for a couple of weeks at least. And don't use any scented pads, just plain, thick old style pads without wings!