C-sec wound support

[HansSolo22]

I'm having a planned section in 4/5 weeks and I was wondering if anyone has any advice on how to protect the wound while recovering? I have a 3 year old boy who loves to give lots of squeezy cuddles and I'm worried that one of his more enthusiastic cuddles might split it open!!

Anyone got any ideas or used any really effective?! Thanks

I have no advice. But having a c section in 9 weeks and interested in answers.

I did see c section underwear in Tesco last night -special soft panel for over the wound, holds pads and high waist. I wonder if anyone has used them? I suspect normal big pants would do the same job at a fraction of the price (£25 a pair!).

One of my friends had a repeat c-section last year with an enthusiastic toddler and she showed him the wound (apparently he was fascinated) and explained that she needed to take it easy to for a bit.

I'm having a repeat in June with a 3 year old and will be trying the same thing.

I think given what I did post emcs once it's closed up, it should be fairly sturdy although I'm tempted by one of those specialist pant/girdle things all the American c-section groups seem to rave about.

Other than that, hold a pillow/boppy in front of it whilst he's hugging you?

I’ve had 2 CS (one ordinary “emergency”, one crash). Both wounds were well dressed and well padded by the hospital. Before I left, I was shown how to change the dressing, how to sit up in bed from lying and how to hold a pillow against my tummy if I was laughing or coughing! This was enough- I didn’t have any additional aids or anything. Second time, I was fine to cuddle my 3 year old DS sitting down and he was very good about that. I found that high waisted, soft trousers like yoga pants and over bump maternity trousers helped too. And big pants!

I had a c section a few weeks ago. I discussed with my 2.5 year old for sometime beforehand that when 'mummy goes to hospital to get the baby out, she will have a sore tummy' and we practiced being careful. I found normal big pants fine but had to wear leggings for almost 4 weeks. Back in jeans this week!

Big knickers and high waisted leggings.

But I think the thing that helped my recovery most was not messing around with the wound at all by trying to clean it or look at it. I cleaned it only by running warm water over it in the shower and I showered every day to ensure it stayed clean.

I also washed my hands after going to the loo before pulling my knickers up to reduce the chance of me introducing germs to it.

In terms of your particular situation with you toddler I think all you can do is a very careful explanation in advance saying how you love cuddles but they will need to be gentle and around your shoulders for a while.

Yep high waisted pants and leggings are your friends. Definitely don’t need special csection pants!

And as NewShoes says, the more you leave it alone, the better. Don’t worry about scrubbing off the glue that get lefts on the skin from the dressing. It will come off in time. Far better to not risk damaging the wound. Just let the water in the shower run over it and then gently pat dry. No baths for a few weeks.

The specialist pants are quite useful though - they just feel really supportive. You may come home with no dressing st all - mine was off within 24 hours. Big pants are a must, whatever you do. Personally I'd opt for dresses for the first few days as there isn't anything to pull on your tummy.

I would second the knickers advice. Immediately ditch any under the bump maternity knickers or trousers you may have and stick to everything soft and high waisted.

Hand hygiene is important and I dried my stitches with a hairdryer on low and cool to avoid rubbing with a towel but also making sure it doesn't get sweaty under the apron you may have.

The stitches healed really quickly for both of mine and were no bother at all.

Just listen to your body and if leaning or pulling in a certain direction feels painful then stop, take a breath and try a different way. Took lots of attempts to get out of bed in the early days!

And lots and lots of rest. I had a girdle because of diastasis and that was really good.