C-section recovery

I asked my OB/surgeon to give me the best possible chance for recovery. And her solution was a wound VAC. They use the prevena plus which was a tubing with a vacuum machine attached to my dressing of my incision. Never oozed or drained. It just kept the moisture out of the incision site with an apron belly. I had that attached to my incision for a week. After a week, my OB check the incision site pulled back the dressing and removed the wound vac. I was told to return the following week. They put some healing tape over the incision site. I also used a period pad over the incision site to keep it dry and covered. my surgeon was very cautious and proactive and making sure that I would recover without an infection. Mine assured me that they had cut open other people who were larger than me and was very knowledgeable in how to prevent infection. I’m going into three weeks postpartum and haven’t any issues. Don’t over do it and bend. I have stairs in my house so make sure your

I held my belly up infront of a fan once a day for about 10mins and it healed really well. After showers, I used a period pad to dry it after so it kept the moisture out. Never had any problems x

Your bed and house are prepared. Getting out of bed hurts the worse. I also used postpartum women diapers for the bleeding. You will need some support getting into the shower, putting on pants and undies. Definitely take it easy so nothing comes undone. The dressing on the wound the first week will do its thing for sure. Keep it dry. I use a blow dryer underneath my fupa/ apron belly after the shower to keep it super dry. Hope that all helps. Let me know if you need anymore info. I also wanted a natural birth, but I was in so much pain after three days of induction labor that I opted for a C-section.

Pico negative pressure dressing all the way! By the time it came off I had healed SO much! After making sure you ensure the scar is dried after every shower will help it a lot too 🙂

I had pico dressing on for a week and it was the absolute best thing!

It’s absolutely fine. Pico dressing works wonders. Once it’s off I wiped diluted TCP over the wound after a shower and patted dry then popped a clean muslin over it while at home. I didn’t have any infection at all.

Is this pico dressing something that is put on by the hospital?

@Naomi yes it is, I didn’t ask for mine I was just given one as my bmi was over 40 🙂 maybe when your midwife asks about birth plans see if they have information on it in your area as hospitals differ ☺️

I’ve had two electives c-sections and both been amazing experiences with zero problems with recovery. Up and walking the same day and life, although taken more gingerly and with a newborn pretty much resumed as normal. Key is to stay on top of the pain medications, which in the UK is generally just ibruprohen and paracetamol and to keep the wound dry using the methods above or I also used a sanitary towel under the tummy overhang.

I used my underwear and folded it to where it covered my incision and belly to make sure they didn’t touch and create moisture. Some people do gauze as well. I’ve heard the wound vac is helpful for some but my apron belly didn’t seem to create any healing problems for me.