A New Beginning

• Keep the area clean and dry • Try not to touch your incision, but if you do, ALWAYS wash your hands both before and after • Follow your health care provider’s instructions

SHOWERING Talk with your health care provider about when and how to shower after cesarean birth. No matter what type of incision or wound cover you have, do not shower before:

• Your epidural catheter has been removed • Your cotton gauze dressing has been removed • You can stand and walk safely without feeling dizzy Review detailed safe showering guidelines on page 19. PERINEUM If you were in labor for a period of time before ultimately having a cesarean birth, you may have experienced swelling or even a tear in your perineum—the area between the vaginal opening and anus. Perineal swelling and tears can cause discomfort for several weeks after giving birth. Learn how to relieve pain and discomfort on page 19.

YOUR CESAREAN INCISION There are 2 types of uterine incisions performed during a cesarean birth: a low horizontal incision or a vertical incision. The type of incision is based on your medical history, clinical complications, and physical condition.

SCAN + PLAY

Your incision may be closed with surgical glue, staples, stitches, or wound closure strips. There are also several types of surgical dressings used to cover your incision. Incisional Care • Check your incision each day by looking into a mirror too see how it is healing. If there are any signs of infection, tell your nurse or health care provider.

INCISIONAL DRESSINGS AND SHOWERING

TYPE OF INCISION CLOSURE OR DRESSING

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

SHOWERING PERMITTED

SPECIAL SHOWER INSTRUCTIONS

Yes

None

Before hospital discharge, your nurse may remove staples. Wound closure strips will be placed over the incision to keep it closed. Strips will loosen from the edges in about 7 to 10 days. You may remove the strips once they become very loose. Do not pull them off unless they are loose.

Staples

Yes

Expose the strips to air for a longer time after the shower to help them dry.

Wound Closure Strips

Yes

None

Do not pick the glue off. Let it fall off by itself.

Surgical Glue

Yes

Press around the edges of the entire dressing to make sure it is sealed before getting into the shower.

If the area becomes saturated or wet underneath, remove the dressing and replace per your health care provider’s instructions.

Waterproof Dressing

Yes

Speak with your health care provider or nurse first for special instructions on how to protect both these dressings from becoming wet and when you may take your first shower.

Special Dressings (Silver or Wound Vac)

30

A New Beginning