C-section recovery with high bmi, please share experiences

[SharedLife]

Hi ladies,

I'm currently 27 weeks, with a BMI of 40+ 😳
I was hoping for a VBAC, had a section 11 years ago. However, the further along I get the less confidence in my ability to have a vbac I become. Last time I had a c section I was a lot younger and slimmer and my recovery were amazing. However, I'm aware it will be very different this time. The things I'm most scared of are deep vein thrombosis and the healing of my scar. I quite a big tummy overhang and I'm worried I will struggle to keep the incision area dry and clean.
If you have had experience with this, could you please share how you coped. My ideas are to use a none scented sanitary towel or gauze under my overhang and use a hairdryer after showers.
Thanks for any insights shared. 😊

I just went for regularly airing, cotton clothing and 2 daily showers. I would think the San pad would just make things more sweaty as they're not very breathable. I think they make every have the anti-dvt injections after CS now and I got my dp to help with those.

Using a hair drier on your wound is not advised as apparently it can increase your risk of infection.

Thanks for replying! I hadn't considered that about the pads but that does make sense.

Glad i posted! So glad for Mumsnet wisdom!

Ask about negative pressure for your scar. There are good results for C-section scars

HeyMicky that very interesting. I have a consultant appointment tomorrow so I will mention it.

Hello! Im plus size, I had a section 2 years ago, they gave me something called a PICO dressing to reduce the chance of infection. Essentially it's a dressing with a pump attached to it, it goes on, the pump sucks all the air out and creates negative pressure that helps the incision heal by drawing away fluids etc it stays on for a full week.

It really, really made a difference, it helped me feel 'held together' during those first few days. My incision healed beautifully, no infections, jobs a good un. After it came off I cut up a Muslin square into rectangles and used them against the incision (I just tucked them under my apron belly) to wick away sweat etc. When you shower you need to pat it completely dry, you can use a hairdryer on the cool setting to ensure this as well.

The only thing I could say is that some midwives/nurses etc weren't familiar with the dressing so if there had been an issue they wouldn't of known what to do but fortunately that didn't happen.

Good luck!

I was plus size when having my section 2.5 years ago. Zero issue, had a normal dressing. I had a bit of a overhang and just made sure the area was dry after the dressing was off, didn't need to use a sanitary towel or anything!

I had anti coagulation injections for a month which were a bit of a ball ache, and had to wear compression stockings for a week.

I forgot about the injections! Yes, had to do blood thinners for ten days. Not the most pleasant thing but you get used to it.

I had a csection when I was a size 20. Didn’t experience any issues. Had to do the injections afterwards (forget how long for) but I thought everyone had to do that? Didn’t have any issues related to BMI with recovery. Good luck!

Im one week on from a plus size csection.

The first two to three days were the worst but its amazing how much you improve from one day to the next.

I think the most hinderance with high bmi and csection is not being able to use your arms to bear your own weight.

You will be given blood thinners. Do them in your stomache, the skin is numb there.

Use a pillow to support your overhang when sleeping on a side in bed.

Massive knickers. I'm still wearing maternity leggings and tops however i found the leggings kind of pulled on the area the first couple of days.

This is all great information ladies. Thank you so much for sharing!

After a shower and dried off, lie on bed. Use kitchen roll to pat dry scar and hold stomach out of the way for 4 mins or so until totally dry. Do this regularly through the day as well.

Can you haul yourself up with your arms? You will need to be mobile ie getting in and out of bed, sitting down, showering etc quite quickly. Guidelines have changed and it's not uncommon to be up walking about with catheter out after 12-15 hours.

That's a great point about weight bearing with my arms and one I hadn't considered. I'm going to practice that tonight when I get into bed!

I had came out of my section about 1pm they had me stood up that night. I got quite a shock as i felt fine when i was laid down.

Catheter was removed around 6am the following morning. Baby and i were treat for sepsis and still sent home 2 days after section. Ill be honest - i couldnt manage bed the first night and tried to sleep in nursing chair. I never slept. I wouldnt recommend it.