After operative delivery, many women are shown to wear a postoperative bandage. After the operation, the woman experiences a feeling of heaviness of the abdomen, pain in the area of the sutures. In this case, the abdominal muscles are greatly weakened. A special bandage after a caesarean section is used to reduce discomfort and speed up recovery. It will not only reduce the load on the body, but will also contribute to faster healing of the sutures.
Why is it necessary to wear a postoperative bandage?
After a caesarean section, it is necessary to return the abdominal muscles to their previous tone. Recovery of muscle tissue after surgery takes longer than after natural childbirth. There is a need to support the stomach with a special product. After a caesarean section, the bandage allows you to keep the internal organs in a physiological position. It also helps to reduce the feeling of stitching during movement.
With the help of a bandage, the muscle fibers of the anterior abdominal wall come together and their tone increases. In addition, it helps a woman quickly return to her former figure. Indeed, to restore the previous forms, it is impossible to engage in physical exercises after a cesarean section. It is important to know that wearing a postpartum bandage is not indicated for all women after a caesarean section.
There are also contraindications to its use:
- Features of suturing.
- Skin allergic manifestations.
- Diseases or disorders of the stomach and intestines.
Therefore, before putting on a bandage, it is necessary to consult a doctor and exclude possible contraindications.
When is the best time to start wearing a bandage and for how long?
A bandage after a caesarean section is usually worn in the first days. Especially at the moment when a woman is allowed to get out of bed. Your healthcare provider will determine the best time to start putting on a supportive device. Many mothers after a caesarean section are not even able to stand up on their own. And thanks to the supportive action of the bandage, a woman can more confidently get out of bed, move around, take the baby in her arms.
It is necessary to wear this device, taking into account the individual characteristics of the body. The duration of use can be from 5–7 days to 1–2 months. Here you need to focus on your feelings and well-being. If the child is heavy, then it is worth wearing a bandage for a longer time.
After removing the product, pain in the anterior abdominal wall may appear. This is due to the fact that the abdominal muscles wean from the load that the bandage took on. In the first days there is a feeling of discomfort, pain in the uterine region. To reduce these manifestations, it is necessary to wean from the bandage gradually. Every day, increase the time spent without this device. If the pain is severe or persists for a long time, you should consult a doctor.
How to choose the right postpartum bandage?
It is desirable to choose such a device even before childbirth. If the question of acquiring it arose after a cesarean section, then the attending physician will help to deal with it. He will take into account all the features of the body and tell you what type of supporting device is better to choose in a particular case.
Bandage after caesarean section must be chosen, taking into account the following points:
- The device should support the abdominal muscles well and securely fix the seams.
- The size should be 1 more than the size before pregnancy, since an average of 15 kg is added for the entire pregnancy. To determine the right size, you need to measure the circumference of the hips and compare with the indicated size on the package.
- The material should be natural, soft and pleasant to the body. And the bandage itself does not have buttons, zippers or laces. This can cause discomfort and irritate the stitches. It is better to choose a device with Velcro.
- Decide on the required height of the product. They are different: in the form of a belt, panties or corsets.
Types of postpartum bandages
There are many different types of these products, which differ not only in the quality of the material, but also in appearance. After a caesarean section, the following products are often used:
- Belt Fast
It comes in the form of an elastic band. Its width in front is about 30 cm, and in the back - 15 cm. The advantage is a small area of coverage of the body, but at the same time reliable fixation of muscles and seams. Such a bandage is good to use in summer in hot weather. The disadvantage is that it lifts up when moving.
This device is made in the form of special panties with a high belt. Unlike the previous version, this bandage does not ride up. It securely fixes the muscles due to the tight insertion in front. In addition, it prevents the prolapse of internal organs.
- mom comfort
The easiest option for postpartum support. Its main purpose is to fix postoperative sutures. But it is also able to support the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall.
To pick up and wear a bandage after a cesarean section, it is enough to know the basic rules and consult with your doctor. A wide range of these devices is available in specialized stores and pharmacies. Wearing this product will help to avoid discomfort and speed up the recovery period.
