C section prep and recovery advice

[Kay200521]

Hi everyone 😊
I will be having my second c section in March. First baby I had to have an emergency c section and this time round I've chosen elective as I want a less traumatic experience for my last babies birth 😊

Unfortunately I was given no advice when leaving the hospital on what I could do to make it a faster recovery and my wound opened a few times / infections/ pain I wasn't ok until at least a year and a half down the line and even when I fell pregnant this time round the first scans were pretty painful near wound site due to the scar still playing up.

I am plus size this time I've tried doing more research I've seen many women especially in America say belly binders are amazing or the gell strips you can put on the scar / period pads under belly to protect wound from getting damp. Does anybody have more tips or whether or not these things maybe worked for them please? If they did what brands did you use etc.

Thanks again. Please no judgements 🤍

Personally I didn’t use anything after my section and the scar is barely visible. I was so much bigger then than I am now (due my 2nd section in May). I was militant about keeping it clean though. Used either a sponge or soaking cotton pads (nothing that would snag) and dabbed not wiped, with water only.

My top recovery tip though was being active where possible as soon as the spinal wore off. I gave birth during covid so had no visitors and I was a bit too strong willed, and got up and about. I waited until the catheter was out to have a walk around the ward and toilets etc and tried to get up and at least walk to the kitchen and do some menial bits when back at home.

Dont over do it though. I kept on top of ibuprofen and paracetamol as well which I think really helped! I will say that I was sooo nervous and taking the bandage/dressing off but letting it air sometimes really helped as well.

Same situation here. EMCS followed by an elective. I was always just told to leave it alone. Don’t put anything on it really just let it do its own thing and heal. Do you think you were too active last time?

I’ve used Dermatix before and found it helpful at smoothing the scar out! Didn’t start this til 6 weeks pp though, as well as massaging it 😊

Also had EMCS. Didn't do anything, but like previous poster did all baby care completely by myself and moved around (taking pain killers) from the moment my legs weren't numb anymore. Showered a few hours after section and stayed as active as possible. Scar not massively visible a year later.