C-section advice

I had an emergency section and my baby had to go in neonatal so obviously different scenario. I didn't really do much afterwards, like I know some use belly bands and creams etc, think I used vaseline on it twice lol. it's really hard to do things as normal but I'm stubborn so I just did what I could but definitely take a rest as much as you can. like whenever I was in neonatal I was always sat down cause I couldn't stand being up.

probably no help there lol but I hope someone else comes along with something useful, I imagined myself using all sorts of self care to heal but that was my reality haha, too tired and hurt to do anything 😂

also be warned, if you sneeze, cough or laugh, it will hurt 😭 learned that the hard way lol

Stay mobile, get up asap and move little and often. Staying in bed does you no good and mobility is key to any surgical recovery.

Take your meds that first week on time like clockwork to avoid pain breakthrough.

Keep the wound clean and dry. Don’t scrub it with anything in the shower, just water and pat it dry.

Big cotton full brief knickers one size up for comfort.

Enjoy it! I loved both of my sections and had very easy recoveries. I used nothing special like binders (I was advised not to get those either time) or creams, no patches or anything. Scar both times vanished.

Always stay ahead of your meds, don't wait for it to be painful for you to take them. Take as much rest as you can, i had a 9lbs 10oz baby & they tell you not to lift past 10lbs 😂 so i ended up doing too much & opened up my scar a little bit. Get others to pass you the baby if they're a heavy one! Try and move as much as you can & take lactulose before you have the baby, it'll help that dreaded first poop! I'd recommend rolling to your side to get out of bed, it'll hurt sitting straight up. If you think you're going to cough, laugh or sneeze, hold a pillow to your incision as it'll help the pressure!
Good luck girl 🥲

Get up and moving and don’t stop moving! The best thing I did was keep getting up, even if it was to just grab a drink or walk round the coffee table a few times. My midwife said they’d never seen a more mobile mum at 3 days PP, I was upright and feeling great! But just don’t overdo it either!

Also, tmi but your bowels will be a bit slow due to anaesthetic and things will take a few days to kick back in, get yourself some stool softeners just to ease things a little! The first bowel movement (for me) wasn’t as bad as people make out but I definitely think the softeners eased it all!

Gas pains may be brutal! That is something I wish I had known. If you are having major pain in your shoulder, it is more than likely gas pains so be sure to ask for gas-x!