Postoperative bandage after caesarean section

During pregnancy, with the appearance of certain health problems of the expectant mother or threats to the life of the child, the question of conducting a planned or unscheduled caesarean section becomes relevant. After the operation, the woman will need time to recover. In addition to postoperative scar care, diet and rest, a woman is recommended to wear a postoperative bandage after a cesarean section. Before you buy such a device, you need to familiarize yourself with its main functions, types, as well as contraindications.

What are the benefits of a bandage after a caesarean section

Postoperative bandage is a medical product in the form of a belt that allows you to support and fix the pelvic organs, abdominal muscles and lower back during the recovery period. After a caesarean section, it is used as maintenance therapy. Basically, such devices are made of durable and breathable material, they can have a different configuration and shape. It is important to understand that the postoperative bandage does not have a direct therapeutic effect, it helps as a prophylactic agent that makes it possible to facilitate the course of the postoperative period.

after cesarean has the following effect:

• maintains the abdominal organs in the correct position;
• reduces pain and discomfort when moving and moving;
• mc wound healing;
• promotes proper scarring of tissues;
• reduces the risk of stretch marks;
• increases mobility;
• reduces the risk of divergence of postoperative scars;
• accelerates the process of uterine contraction;
• reduces the load on the spine;
• reduces the risk of postoperative hernia formation.

Despite all the useful properties of an orthopedic product, the attending physician will tell you whether a woman needs it and which model to choose.

Wearing a bandage after a cesarean operation allows a woman not only to recover faster, but also makes it possible to take care of the child without experiencing severe pain in the area of ​​the postoperative suture, and to minimize the load on the spine.

Indications for wearing a bandage

Using a bandage, a woman has the opportunity to quickly return to shape, but in addition, there are medical indications for its use, so this device can be prescribed immediately after surgery or already during the rehabilitation period. The main indications include the following conditions:

• pain in the lower abdomen or in the area of ​​​​the postoperative suture;
• increased tension in the abdominal muscles;
• spine diseases;
• poor contraction of the uterus;
• increased muscle tone;
• obesity, overweight;
• sagging belly;
• drawing pains on motion.

Wearing a postoperative bandage after childbirth is recommended for almost any woman, because thanks to him, the young mother is more mobile, which allows her to take care of the child, perform the usual household chores or go outside. When it is possible to wear a bandage after surgery and how long to wear it is difficult to answer, since it all depends on the condition of the woman, the course of the operation itself, as well as the presence of risks. In some cases, doctors recommend using immediately after surgery, and in other cases, a few days after surgery.

To whom the bandage is contraindicated

Despite all the positive properties of the bandage, not all women can wear it. That is why, before wearing a postoperative bandage after cesarean, you need to familiarize yourself with the possible contraindications and restrictions:

• Poor healing of the postoperative scar;
• The presence of sores, pustules or inflammation on the skin in the pelvic area and spine.
• Any discomfort or sensation of pain while wearing the belt.
• Edema that appeared against the background of other diseases: pyelonephritis, cystitis.
• Hypersensitivity of the skin to the material from which the bandage is made.

It is not recommended to wear a bandage if a longitudinal surgical incision of the abdominal wall was used during the caesarean section. Also, with caution, a device is selected for women with a sensitive skin type, since this can cause allergic reactions, itching, rashes, and excessive sweating. Such symptoms can worsen the condition of the postoperative suture, provoke the addition of a secondary infection.

Types of bandage after caesarean section

In the production of postoperative bandages, manufacturers use both synthetic and natural cotton materials. Great attention is paid to breathability, hypoallergenicity and good fixation. For convenience and proper fixation, many manufacturers introduce cotton inserts at the site of the postoperative suture, which will be safe when touched with the wound.

There are several types of bandages that can be used after a caesarean section:

• Stretch panties . Made from soft stretch material with a high waist. It is comfortable for everyday wear, provides uniform support for the seam and spine, and eliminates the appearance of stretch marks.
• High panties . Similar to the first option, only they have a special clasp. It completely covers the abdomen, reduces the risk of postoperative hernia, and helps the correct formation of the scar.
• Belt . The model of such a bandage is quite wide, has good elasticity, allows you to completely wrap around the stomach, relieve the load from the spine, improve the aesthetic formation of the postoperative scar.
• Skirt. They have an excellent tightening effect, help to recover faster after surgery. It should be worn just above waist level.
• Bermuda shorts . Compression underwear that allows you to visually make the buttocks, waist and hips smaller. It is comfortable to wear and completely invisible under clothes, while it has an excellent tightening effect. It is this type of bandage that women often use to eliminate stretch marks and prevent cellulite.

These are the main types of bandages used in the postoperative period after cesarean. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages, so which one is better - the doctor will advise individually for each woman.

How to choose

In the process of choosing a bandage, attention should be paid not only to the quality of the product and the model, but to adhere to certain criteria, which will allow you to get the maximum benefit from wearing, not to feel discomfort during wearing. You need to pay attention to the following aspects:

Size. It should be neither big nor small, not squeeze the stomach and not be free. If you choose the wrong size, there will be no benefit from wearing.

Fixation . The postoperative bandage should have good fixation, which can eliminate the load on the pelvic organs and the suture itself.

Velcro and fasteners . The presence of fastenings on the bandage will allow you to adjust the size according to your body. It is better to refuse buttons and buttons, as they can rub the skin, cause irritation or an allergic reaction.

Choice of fabric . A bandage made of synthetic material often causes diaper rash and skin irritation, so doctors recommend buying products made from natural and breathable materials that will not cause discomfort in the hot season and warm in the cold. When choosing a material, doctors recommend buying an orthopedic device made of polyester, microfiber, cotton or linen fabrics. It is these materials that have a good density, allow air to pass through, do not cause skin irritation and excessive sweating.

How long should I wear a bandage after surgery?

After a cesarean, a bandage can be prescribed immediately or after a few days, it all depends on the condition of the woman, possible risks. Basically, doctors recommend putting it on every time a woman gets out of bed. It is strongly not recommended to take the child in your arms or do household chores without a bandage, as this is fraught with divergence of the seams in the early postoperative period. However, it is not worth being in it all the time. Every 2 hours you need to give the body time to rest, take off for 20-30 minutes, while at this time the woman should lie in bed. During the period of night sleep, you also need to remove the bandage.

The timing of wearing a bandage after a cesarean section is purely individual and directly depends on how quickly the woman's body recovers after childbirth. On average it will take 5-8 weeks. It is not recommended to abruptly stop wearing it as the muscles get used to the support. Even after the recovery of the body, doctors do not recommend completely abandoning the bandage, but are advised to wear it for long walks with a stroller.

Recommendations for wearing a bandage after a caesarean section

A large assortment of postoperative bandages will allow a woman to decide on the choice of the necessary device to speed up the recovery period. However, in order to get the most positive result, you need to consult a doctor who will help with the choice, give useful recommendations?

• If possible, it is recommended to buy two bandages, for the early and late postoperative period. Immediately after the operation, a bandage in the form of a belt or skirt will be comfortable. At home, it is recommended to use bandage shorts or Bermuda shorts.
• When buying, it is better to give preference to Velcro products.
• You need to wear a bandage for 2 - 3 hours, then remove it for 30 minutes and at this time it is imperative to take a horizontal position.
• It is forbidden to sleep in a bandage.
• Immediately after the operation, it is recommended to put sterile liners under the bandage, especially if the suture does not heal well or oozes.
• After removing the device, the skin around the seam must be treated with water or an antiseptic.
• Buy the size strictly according to the size, it should not tighten the stomach or sag much.
• You need to put on the retainer in the supine position, while all the muscles should be relaxed.
• Fasteners or Velcro should be fixed from top to bottom.

On average, the recovery period after a caesarean is 6 to 10 weeks, during which a woman must wear a bandage.

conclusions

A caesarean section, like any other surgical intervention, requires a recovery period that will help eliminate all kinds of risks and speed up recovery. Wearing a bandage is considered an important step in the recovery of a woman, so it is very important to choose the right orthopedic product, follow all the doctor's recommendations.

Provided that the model is correctly selected, the bandage will help the body to quickly cope with postoperative stress and fully pay attention to the child, who urgently needs the care of his mother.