C-section Recovery for Plus-size Mums

[mamavee]

Hi! I’m scheduled for an elective c-section on the 19th October. I’m hoping for some post-opp recovery tips from other Mums who have a high BMI.

I had my first last year for DS in April. I found the recovery last time really difficult and I think the main reason was a high BMI meaning the skin from my tummy hanging so loose over the wound.

My wound wasn’t healing on its own so I had to see the nurse weekly to have it checked and was given stuff to use at home to encourage it to heal (inodene and special dressings to apply).

I had a fungal infection around it as well, between the folds of skin.

Just all in a all a bit grim!! Would love to hear from other Mums with a high BMI. Did you try the c-section recovery belts? Did you do anything to help the wound heal? Desperate for some tips. Thanks in advance x

I have had 3 C Sections, the 1st was an emergency one, for a breech, with protracted labour, my wound took about 2 months to heal. My next 2 were elective sections, my tips are, wear big pants, to cover your belly, Iam a nurse, so I had wound pads, which I used to go in my skin fold, my overhang so to speak, which helped a lot. Keep the area very clean, rest, and take the pain killers.

Hi
I had a Pico dressing after my emergency c section. It really helped me, my scar is barely visible now and I had no complications afterwards. The surgeon does have to apply it in theatre and the battery pack on them can be a bit annoying to carry around and take apart every time you want a shower but it is only for seven days post c section. If I ever have another c section in the future I would request another one.

Sanitary pad inside the waist band of you knickers to sit on top of wound helps. Plus drying it frequently with gentle hair dryer heat. Really good nutrition post birth too.

My first was an emergency cs and I had a bad time of it. I got MRSA and had terrible back problems.
I was well looked after for the 2nd which was elective.
I had a pico dressing and my wound healed really quickly with no infection. I would ask your midwife or consultant about this after what happened last time.
My only tip is to move around as much as possible as soon as you can. This really helps with recovery. I was gently pottering around the ward as soon as they got me up and only spent one night in hospital.

Sanitary pad in between fold, keeping as dry as possible and after a two weeks or so use medicated talc on it to keep area area- mine was a disaster with infection after a infection Until I started talc at 5/6 weeks and which I’d started sooner!

Pico dressing... absolute game changer... I was amazed.