C-section recovery
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I bought a belly support band which I started using when bandages came off and everything still felt heavy. My main advice is take everything easy afterwards but make sure you don’t get yourself into a situation you can’t get out of - e.g. I wouldn’t carry anything upstairs unless I was 100% sure I could make it through. Same with exercise, I did stuff at home so I could stop if I needed to, but wouldn’t walk outside cos if I needed to stop I’d have to get myself home etc.
A litter picker!! Was a life saver for picking stuff up as you can’t bend down
I saw on your profile you already have a child so same as me (he's 3) you have to take it easy but it's almost impossible as toddler will still want cuddles, you'll still need to cater to all demands 🤣 my lad seemed to want me more when baby was here... BUT don't pick them up, I am 3wks post section and only started picking him up yesterday. I've had few short walks to shop. I would get sensitive body wash just incase you accidentally clean the area, I wouldn't use perfumed wash for first 6wks and cut is closed properly. It's boiling in hospital so defo a fan. And lots of snacks! I was starving once numbness worn off! 😆 Just take it easy, make sure you have plenty of support around... cooking and cleaning for you etc. I was in 1 night but I could have stayed 2 if i wanted. It was too noisy in there and i was knackered.
Pack light as you won't really need a lot of stuff. Comfy pj's as you'll spend a lot of time in bed before the spinal block wears off and even then, bending down to put trousers over your legs will be a no no haha. I only stayed in for 24hrs after but they offered one more night if I wanted it, I'd have just rather been home in the quiet lol. I'd also recommend incontinence pants (like Tena, but personal recommendation is Sainsbury's discrete ones as they're so much comfier) as you'll be worry free for bleeding. I wore them for the first 2 weeks after, every day lol
I was really nervous to touch anywhere near my scar once the dressing was off but it’s important to keep it dry after showering etc, but the best tip I got was to use a hairdryer on cool setting to dry it!
Loose loose pants! The skin all around feels kinda funky and sore so pants are not super fun. I also loved having my own incontinence panties.
A pillow. The drive home and drive anywhere was rough with speed bumps. Also just coughing sneezing. So a pillow for belly
Big pants, I used frieda mom pants for the heavy bleeding days and then BIG cotton ones from next for the rest of the time My no 1 recommendation would be to Ask for some lactulose when you’re in hospital and for some to take home -helps with the first PP poop 😉 I was only kept in for 24hrs, if you can get up walk around a little and having lots of wees they seem to be happy for you to go home
Keep taking your paracetamol and ibuprofen. After day 5 from giving birth, I wasn’t consistent with it and I couldn’t sit up I couldn’t do anything - the pain was unbearable but when I started taking the pain relief again it made a huge difference. Was in Hosptial 3/4 days. Seems silly but I didn’t think it was even going to touch the sides 😂
Second the hand fan, or a stroller fan that can attach to bed. I took a post op temp and the ward had no fans … God send!!’
M&S high waisted knickers!
@Anisha that's what I was going to suggest! It really helped. I'd also suggest asking someone to flush the toilet for you. The action of raising my arm to do so hurt beyond belief.
Meal prep at least a weeks worth of food that you can have defrosted and heated up for you like a stew etc. Also when you start accepting visitors, most of them coming for the baby not you, so ask them to bring you lunch 😊. I bought packs of disposable Tena underwear which I wore them for 3 weeks, if not ensure you buy 100% cotton underwear so it’s breathable. Also once your sutures have resolved I would consider silicone scar tape, I swear by it. I used it when I had semi thyroidectomy and also when after I had me CS in august. Definitely a small fan, if your planning to breastfeed as many maternity Pjs and Night dress as possible that have to opening to feed baby.
A hand held fan! I had my c section in the middle of the red weather warning two weeks ago and even then the fan I had was my top purchase! The spinal can affect your blood pressure/ body temperature and I was absolutely boiling!!! I had the c section on the Friday and my baby was born at 12:15pm, they discharged me on the Saturday at 6:45pm.