Shower at the hospital

I didn't shower after my c section (emergency), didn't even pack anything to shower.

I freshened up in the bathroom rather than taking a full shower, you still bleed quite a lot so just makes you feel cleaner. Our hospital do provide towels if you want them, so yours will probably be the same. I had a proper shower as soon as I got home. You're just not allowed a bath until your wound is fully closed x

You won't be able to shower if you have a c section as can't get the dressing wet can have a top to toe wash x

I had to have one 6 hours after, to get me up and about. I'm pretty sure they supply towels etc I can't remember packing one this was 5 years ago lol xxx

Depends I bled a lot after mine and had to stay in for 3 days so needed to. What I’d suggest is take shower stuff in a separate bag and leave in the car & if you need it your birth partner can pop out to car for u. Dark colour towel recommend. Can’t be too prepared x

Omg yessss, I had an unplanned c-section and I was counting the minutes to go wash my hair and take that OR smell from me 🤣 I sent my husband downstairs to the hospital pharmacy to get shampoo and lotion and everything and made myself home as soon as I was cleared to shower (8h later)

Yes I had a shower after my c-section. Around 5 hours after. The nurse encouraged me to move and take it - and I’m so glad she did. It was like a freshen up and made me feel 100 times better to get up and not sit in my own blood and not smell etc. I definitely recommend.

I did and it felt amazing after everything ❤️ (I didn’t with my first because I was at a shitty hospital and they simply didn’t tell me it was an option, so was there 3 days nasty in my 5 day induction/labor juices and still in my c-section bed 🤢) Highly recommend.

I didn’t shower after my 1st or 2nd c-section in the hospital.

I’d personally pack a little 2nd bag to keep in car as a “just in case” especially if you live far from hospital (I’ll be doing so next time). I was in hospital for a lot longer than anticipated after my emergency section so that hospital shower was heaven & very much needed😆 x

The hospital wouldn’t let me leave until I’d showered and took my dressing off when it was wet x

I had a shower in the hopsital the next day - I was being discharged and it was easier for me to shower there (walk in) then tge thought of me stepping over the bath to get into the shower

Perfect thank you all for your replies! x

I think it really depends how you feel and the facilities. If you have a private room youll prob feel more like it but i struggled with the pain getting my leg over the side of their bath to get in. Shared bathroom you might not want the walk.

I did but I was in hospital for 3 days (including my induction day). I'd say do it just incase there's any complications that means you and baby need to stay in a bit longer than expected

I freshened up in the bathroom but didn't take a shower till I got home. I had an emergency c section and just wasn't comfortable to shower.

I had a shower 3 days after my emergency section. Just down to the fact of how much pain and how difficult it was standing. But I felt amazing after. I was in for 6 days

I think it depends on you tbh! I was induced and in hospital for 4 days before I actually gave birth (emergency c-section)I couldn’t wait for a shower!! I stupidly thought I’d be able to shave my legs, that was not happening!🤣 But a shower and hair wash made me feel a lot better the morning after in hospital!

No one will oblige you to have a shower after (but here in Seedeneyou have to have one just before). I had one because I stayed there three dsys, but you don’t need towels or anything (at least here). For me showering in the hospital was much better because the shower had supports and was easier to stand. Dressings were not a problem for me, I could shower with them. Also, I had my own room with my own shower, so privacy snd hygiene were not an issue)

I had one the next day, it was amazing. I needed a lot of help to walk there, and I sat in a shower chair & used the hose part that you can move around. It was sooo nice. I wouldn’t have done it if I had to stand, I was too weak and sort of light headed but the chair meant I could take my time and really relax.

I had a shower the next day (I was in for 3 nights) but my partner helped me to ensure I didn’t get my scar/bandage wet x

They kept me in the hospital for 3 days after my section, I made sure I was going to get some kind of clean. I had a waterproof sticker over my dressing and scar that allowed me to take a shower. My fiance helped me bathe because I also couldn’t get the IV wet they had in me and had a waterproof dressing over it too so I was one handed. I will be showering again too because there no way I’d be walking around 4 days no shower

I had an emergency c-section at 9am and 12 hours later they took my catheter out and helped me to the bathroom so I could shower. I had taken my own towel but they provided one. I was discharged after 24 hours x

I had a shower after my section and it made me feel better in myself in some ways. My partner came in and helped me with everything. But the midwives will do it as well if your partner can’t etc.

I had a shower the same night of both my elective c-sections. I didn’t have any problems with mobility etc and both showers felt amazing. What I would say, beyond wanting to feel fresher is that one of the checks when it comes to discharging you is a working bladder and the showers helped kick start my own both times. Totally up to you though

I did, not sure how long after, maybe like the next day or day after but I just felt so gross and really felt like I needed it despite having my husband basically washing me cause I could barely stand 😂 I took a towel and my own nice shower gel (if not I’d have to use their hand soap). I’d say it’s worth taking cause you never know how long you’ll be in there/how you’ll be feeling. Alternatively you could pack it and leave it somewhere at home or in the car so if you end up being there for a few days you could get your partner/someone to grab it for you if you don’t wanna carry it in

Hi had a section in January - I had a shower at the hospital before I got home, and I was only in for 24 hours too - I found it easier as the room is bigger, there's no climbing in and out - it's more like a wet room, partner could help and I had a shower chair also, made me feel much better after too, more refreshed and ready for the ride home. I was thankful for the big shower as mine is quite small in comparison 🩵 xx

You have so much gunk on your tummy- blood, other fluids they use to sterilize you. As soon as I could shower I did and it felt so nice. I was also in the hospital for 6 days so I’m glad I packed soap and towels. You never know🤷‍♀️

I showered the morning of my section (cat 3 emergency) was the first to go down and got discharged at 9pm the night after. I was in hospital 5 days for an induction before my section. I didn’t feel able to shower there on my own as I was really wobbly on my feet. I had my own room but communal shower. I would have needed help in the shower and I only had my partner in hospital and midwives refused to help me shower and when I asked if someone would watch my baby whilst my partner helped me, they told me I’d have to leave him in the room on his own. I didn’t feel comfortable doing that considering a few months prior that hospital was in the news with a student midwife attempting to kidnap a baby in NICU !!! I showered the morning after I got sent home with my partners help. Did have a bed bath after my section though!

I was walked down to the shower 5-6 hours later by the midwives 😂

I felt disgusting but didn’t want to use the shared facilities. I then got moved to my own room and used the shower there

I didn’t but was only in 24 hours, I just had some wipes to freshen up with and brushed my teeth :) the thought of showering was a bit daunting 😂

Yes because I was there a week, I think I showered on day 4 as I couldn’t really walk that well for the first 3.

I didn’t think I would take one but I ended up doing that as it was the only way I could relax my muscles and finally pass urine after they removed the catheter.

I did, I believe day 2 I showered. It was just nice to do something “normal” after being in some pain and it was also some alone time to really look at myself after birth and see my induction area. I mainly just had a body shower but it felt quite nice.

I did and was pleased I did as I couldn’t step over the bath at home to shower.

Depends how long you’re in hospital for but you will most likely want one as you will be bleeding a lot. I just took mini toiletries & 1 towel it was deffo worth it. Did find it hard tho so I had to get my partner to help me. Take flip flops to wear cos the floor is gross lol xx

Yes!! Best feeling ever after being in bed for over 24 hours. It was really strange though, they wheeled me down to the shower room in a wheelchair and then just let me go in and sort myself out. It felt weird because I still felt very lightheaded and like I should have someone in there helping me, not that I would have been particularly happy had they insisted 😅 There was a little stool in there though, presumably so you could sit down if it was a little too much effort being exerted. The only thing they told me not to do, I assume because it would have been too much effort & stretching, was wash my hair. I did however do this the following day. I took my own towels but used the ones that they provided…there was quite a bit of blood from pp bleeding, so I was happy I didn’t need to pack those back into my bag x

I had a shower a day after my C-section (possibly 2 days) because I was never told I was able to due to me not knowing what sort of covering I had on the scar (hospital at fault) they put on something waterproof which I could get wet so make sure you ask! I had help with it as the hospital didn’t have racks to put things on at my level and found it tricky bending. Despite the hospital reminding me I was a fully grown adult and should be able to shower on my own 🙈 before then telling me I’d just had major surgery and shouldn’t be doing things by myself 🙄 it was an experience!!

The midwives said I had to shower before I left. I had to take off the bandage. I did feel better. For my first I didn’t shower but it had been quite an scary emergency and I couldn’t face it

Most hospitals, if not all, in this country provide towels. If they don’t offer, just ask. I was in for a few days so definitely showered there with my husbands help. Better to pack flip flops or crocs to use in shower rather than a towel. However if you are discharged after 24 hours and you’re more comfortable showering at home then no reason to in the hospital. With my most recent birth (which was vaginal) I was discharged the same day baby was born so only showered when I got home as there was so much going on while in the hospital.

The nurse kept telling me she was going to get me up for a shower. The next day we actually did like a “wash up” or sponge bath type of situation and then the following day I went home so I never had to take a real, full shower there - and I honestly did not want to.

I did. My ceserean was emergency and I unexpectedly had to stay 5 days in hospital. I felt so fresh and great having that shower there! I didn’t know I had to bring my own toiletries though so I could only wash my hair and face with water. And I used hand soap from the basin for my underarms/ parts I soap 😅 When I got home a had a really nice thorough shower. Was great.

They had me shower 24 hours after my C-section and removed the incision dressing at that time. I was glad for it as I smelled awful and my hair was matted. Not sure how I got so disheveled in a matter of like 30 hours lol

I showered after my c section as soon as I could. I had her at 14:59 had catheter until the next morning 7am then showered about 11 am (my mums amazing and helped me while my husband looked after the little one). I wasn’t discharged until around 4pm (but that was because I was pushing and had been in 5 days at this point). NHS staff wanted me to stay another night!

I didn’t shower until 4 days after my c section at home! Up until that point I used wipes and flannels to wipe myself down. The three days/two nights I was in the hospital following the c section (also uk based) I was in so so much pain, the thought of having a shower didn’t even cross my mind! The first day/night I still couldn’t walk. The second day I was barely trying to get myself to walk to the toilet a few yards away and across my little section of the ward. There was no way I would have been able to manage a shower with the pain and inability to walk around/move without pain

I didn’t shower after mine. My little girl was born via c section at 11.47am and I went home around 3pm the next day. I was desperate to get home as would much rather freshen up at home!

As soon as I could feel my legs (About 8hrs after the section), I went for a shower. I felt very uncomfortable and heavy as I hadn’t taken a shower since the induction process started. It was hard but worth it, I felt fresh and clean.

Side note: I didn’t lock the door and informed the midwives to check on me if I took longer than 10mins.

At the hospital I was at, they made every c section patient get up for a shower as soon as the anaesthetic wore off x