How do you cope with toileting/ showering after a C/Sec

[pixiesmums]

I had a c/section with DD and I had to have help the next day to shower. I had a lovely nurse help me which made it better for me. As for the toilet issue I didn't really have any problems there. I went on my own. But I did have the shower as soon as they took the catheter out so I did not have the urge to go to the toilet straight away.

Hope this helps

[DB&O]

I had my DH with me when I had a shower so he could help me, he had to wipe me from the waist down afterwards too, as I could not bend down yet as for the toilet thing I was fine to go to the toilet by myself.....thank god
Ciao,
Brooke.

[Hokey Pokey]

I showered alone the first time, I had a hand held nozzle which helped as I could not bend to wash from my waste below. When I came home my DF helped me to wash and get dressed.

[cosmic]

I had my c-section early in the morning and had a middie help me in the shower that evening. I still had a catheter in so she just carried it for me. I got it out the next morning and was fine to go to the toilet on my own from then on. You usually don't have to worry about number 2's for a while I don't think. At least not until you are up and about.

[Foxy]

I definatley recommend putting a plastic chair or stool in your shower when you get home. It makes it so much easier for the first couple of weeks, especially to wash your hair etc.

[Pixie]

I had a shower 24 hours later catheter was removed she helped me walk to the chair and I showered myself and then she helped dry me and get me dressed. I felt like I was 300 years old

[mum_2_5]

I showered myself after all 3 c-sections. With the last one I was in the shower 15 hours after his birth. When you do have a shower after your c-section let your wound get wet. Just let the water run over it as it will help prevent any infections. I learnt that the hard way after my first.

As with the toilet, there are usually handle next to the toilet that you can use to assist you. The number 2's wont happen for a few days. They will probably end up giving you a laxetive to help you go.

[tickle]

I had a shower 36 hours later. She had to help me walk there (there are group bathrooms), then I just sat in there by myself on the chair. After the experience of first getting up they left the catheter in for another 12 hours. I really didn't want to get up to go to the toilet all night. By that time it was fine to get up and I did so as much as possible! Just incase you still have a catheter in after you shower, make sure you take a nighty, I only had PJ pants and tops, which isn't much good with a catheter.

[mum_2_5]

Also one thing you will need if you have a c-section is undies that go up to your belly button. I thought I could get away with wearing my normal undies but they sat right on or just above and slipped onto my wound and it hurt. My sister went and bought some his pants for her undies that went up high, 2 pack for $12 in big w. My DP calls them granny undies and they look like the ones that grandma's wear. I am still wearing them 7 weeks on as they are so comfy.

[SassyMummy]

The morning after DD was born, my cathetar was removed (so a bit under 24 hours later). Before that, I got a sponge-bath...and just peed via the cathetar. I never walked around with the cathetar in.

As soon as it was removed, if I had the urge to pee, I had to get up and do it. It usually took me AGES to get from my bed to the toilet...because it hurt to walk and I had to walk past another woman's bed to get there (stupid if you ask me...she had a VB...yet I was the one furthest away from the toilet...).

Peeing was resonably easy, but getting on and off the toilet, and pulling my undies/pants up and down was hard. I just moved really slowly...and took my time to make sure I didn't hurt myself.

Showering was done with someone there to help. That was embarrassing...I felt so helpless. When nobody was there to help me out (or the staff were busy) I'd use the little chair in the shower to lean on. When I was done, I'd sit on the chair to put my clothes on (I didn't have to bend down that way...I could just lift up a leg and reach out to pull my pants on...it was kinda difficult, but not as painful as bending would have been).

It took me FOREVER to do a number 2...I was on the toilet for about 1/2 and hour doing it. I thought it was because my stomach muscles were weak, and that I was afraid to hurt myself...but when I finished, I had a look in the toilet and it was MASSIVE. (Sorry for TMI, but it was gigantic, and consider I'd never done anything so huge in my life before, it may have had something to do with the c-section).

I think, if you're going to have a shower/toilet on your own, let your room-mate know...so if your baby cries or whatever, she can call a nurse for you.

You pretty much figure out how to do things on your own...you just realise what hurts and what doesn't...and work around the pain.