What is the C section?
C section is a kind of surgical operation to have an incision from the xiphoid process to pubic symphysis. In this case, there are many differences between the C section and other types of surgeries such as hysterectomy. In fact, nowadays people prefer natural birth to cesarean birth because it has been known that cesarean can have some harmful effects on a mother's health.
And also for mothers, it is not easy work out after pregnancy for the abdominal area due to a cesarean scar which can be caused by surgery. The case becomes worse if she had given birth more than one time. That's why postpartum women need special equipment for workouts after pregnancy such as a belly band or waist trimmer.
C section belly band can be really helpful to lose the area which has been caused by cesarean birth.
Who needs the C section?
In addition, the C section is a surgical operation. So, here are some conditions for which you need cesarean birth:
- Your baby's head or body is too large to fit through your pelvis
- Labor does not progress and the baby is too big to come out of your uterus safely
- You have a condition called placenta previa, where the placenta blocks part of the cervix (the opening in the center of your uterus that leads to your birth canal)
- You have ruptured membranes (your "water has broken") because labor will not progress if your cervix has already begun to thin and open (efface). When this happens, there may be an infection inside the uterus that could cause problems for you and your baby.
- Your baby is in the breech position, which means that his or her feet are down first. If your baby isn't in a head-down position, labor is unlikely to progress.
- You have an active genital herpes infection
- The umbilical cord comes before the baby during the birth process
- Your placenta peels away from the inner wall of your uterus before delivery (placental abruption)
C section side effects?
Yes, there are some diseases caused by cesarean birth not only belly band problems. Some researches show that the C section may lead to diabetes type 2 disease if it's done wrong or unnecessary. Also, during surgery, there is a risk of death to both mother and baby.
However, in some cases, the C section may be the only way to save your life or that of your baby. Your doctor will recommend it if he or she feels that there isn't another choice. Also, your doctor will probably recommend a C section because the fetus has an unusual position (for example, breech birth).
How is the C section done?
When you are given an epidural, it will numb your body from the waist down. The doctor will make a cut in the lower part of your uterus first. Then, he or she will move your baby up through your uterus to your abdomen, putting his/her head near the incision that has just been made. After that, the doctor will perform the cesarean by making another cut below your bikini line and moving the baby out.
If a C section is necessary for you, please do not hesitate to accept appropriate operation whatever it takes for this surgical procedure. Nowadays there are lots of ways to reduce scars after pregnancy including various products such as belly bands which are usually used during the postpartum period.
What does your body look like after the C section?
So, after giving birth to the child a mother's body will look like this. Firstly, an incision scar that is made during surgery will be found on the lower abdomen wall. Secondly, the uterine muscle stays stretched and expanded to accommodate the baby's big size for 9 months. And thirdly, stretch marks are usually found on abdominal muscles or breast skin because of weight gain during pregnancy.
Therefore, the belly band model used after C-section surgery must have an open side slit design to let women's vaginal area breathe and ample support at the midsection and also a back panel with flexible material 3D mesh feature so that they do not feel too hot in it.
Finally, we can conclude that cesarean birth is safe and effective when it is applied by an experienced surgeons with optimal surgical equipment such as elliptical surgical tools. Please do not hesitate to consult a health care professional for further advice and guidance about cesarean birth, especially when you have a high risk of having it done.
What is a belly band for women after the C section?
The belly band is also known as the postnatal girdle. It is the most suitable option for women after cesarean birth because it can be considered a product of modern technology that has lots of beneficial features such as moisture-wicking material and zip-up enclosure. As well, this model is equipped with a special 3D mesh feature so that they do not feel too hot in it.
After C-section surgery, you will experience different changes in your body. So, it would be better to wear a tummy support belt (belly or postpartum band) to help hold everything together, tighten muscles up and provide some support to the healing uterus which actually returns back to its original size gradually.
Historically, women wore corsets as a form of supporting their lower back and enhancing their bust line. They were used by women from the 16th century to the early 20th century because it was considered as a sign of wealth and aristocracy.
Belly band - is it necessary after the C section?
The belly band will help mothers to shape their uterine muscles and also it is a good choice for women who want to get back into pre-pregnancy jeans. Also, this model of the band which is usually worn during the postpartum period can be equipped with special features such as moisture-wicking material and zip-up enclosure.
During C section operation, the mother's abdomen must be shaved according to hospital guidelines or staff requests. If you refuse to follow staff requests there may be consequences as shaving the patient's hair is required as well as wearing proper gowns and shoes. Also, if she has excess hair on her leg, she may need an electrolysis procedure prior because hair removal is needed before the surgery takes place.
If your doctor recommends the C section as the safest option, you should do what he/she says and follow his instructions. There are some diseases that may occur because of cesarean birth such as diabetes type 2 or unnecessary surgery.
So, if you need to have a C section and your baby's head is in the wrong position, it would be extremely dangerous for both of them if you tried to give birth naturally. So please try to forget about vaginal delivery and accept an advantageous way out – a cesarean operation.
Are there different types of belly bands?
Yes, there are 4 different types of belly bands for women available on the market. They have been studied and designed especially for women after cesarean birth.
The first type is a closed abdominal binder which is usually made of cotton, elastic, or neoprene. It can be fastened with the help of Velcro strips and it has an open crotch feature. Some models have straps that are easy to adjust for a better fit.
The second type is an open bust support band which is designed especially for women who want to boost their milk supply as well as improve blood circulation by stimulating the lactation process after C section surgery. Usually, this model is equipped with two panels (for extra comfort), moderate compression, and a flexible 3D mesh feature so that they do not feel too hot in it.
The third type of postpartum band allows women to engage in physical activity during postnatal by giving them excellent support at the lower back and abdomen while working out. It is a perfect choice for women who want to lose their pregnancy weight faster.
The last model of abdominal binder postpartum band for women has been studied and designed especially because it can be worn during the whole day, even during night time. Usually, this belly band for women contains high-quality materials such as moisture-wicking material which absorbs all liquids or odors from the body, zip up the enclosure, and a flexible 3D mesh feature so that they do not feel too hot in it.
How to wear it correctly?
It is usually recommended to wear the band for 6-12 weeks after giving birth. It can be worn during the night time and you will feel more comfortable in it because the binder will reduce pain from C section surgery wounds.
Please remember that when you put on your abdominal binder, you should start by wrapping it around your waist and pulling both ends behind your back between your shoulder blades. Pull tight enough so that there's a moderate compression against your abdomen but not enough to restrict breathing.
The second step is securing the two ends of the band at least 12 inches apart with a strip of Velcro or a safety pin. Make sure both sides have been fastened securely before taking a nap or going to bed . If there are no problems with your C section, you can wear this belly band for women while doing everyday activities or exercising. It will reduce pain relief immensely.
What are the benefits of wearing it while sleeping?
Wearing an abdominal binder while sleeping is great because it provides support to your abdomen and lower back which reduces the pain that usually occurs after cesarean birth. Also, wearing one during nighttime will act as a brace due to its high compression feature (it reduces the pressure), so it will also help you relax better.
Many women complain about skin irritation which they experience when using tapes. This model of the corset is much more comfortable than tapes because it does not have rough edges so there's no chance of getting any skin irritations. Also, it is cool for women to wear because the material is breathable.
How to choose a good C section belly band?
Things you should consider while selecting a belly band are the following:
- Material- neoprene belly band is usually made of breathable material while the neoprene pregnancy band is more appropriate for women who want to use it while exercising.
- Wearing it during nighttime/while sleeping-this corset postpartum support can be worn overnight so you should choose a perfect model with all features that provide comfort and rest.
- Your abdomen width-it will depend on the length of your C section so you cannot wear this type of abdominal binder until 6 weeks after giving birth, but make sure it doesn't compress too much your abdomen because you will feel pain if it compression feature is too heavy.
- Type- Closed abdominal binder (for a woman) / Open bust support band / Postpartum exercise girdle (for woman) / Postpartum waterproof band / Postpartum maternity and pregnancy belly wrap (for man and woman).
- Fastening method-Velcro fastener, safety pins, or some other method.
What activities can you do after the C section?
Many women want to know if they can do exercising and other physical activities like swimming, jogging, etc. There is no problem with doing these types of exercises after having a C section because it will not affect the healing process.
However, you have to remember that your doctor should give you permission before starting your workout plan so please call him/her if you are willing to start exercising again.
Also, such household responsibilities as washing the dishes, taking a shower, and vacuuming can be done again after 6-8 weeks following surgery. Even though you will feel like doing some house chores, do not force yourself to do too many activities because it might affect your wound healing process.
Conclusion
C section belly band is the perfect solution for women who had C section surgery. It reduces pain relief immensely, it provides support to your abdomen and lower back, and best of all it can be worn while sleeping.
If you are looking for a perfect model that will meet your requirements then remember to choose one depending on your needs (material-breathable or waterproof; length-length of your cesarean; wearing it during night time/while sleeping-can wear only overnight, no support needed during daytime; type- Pregnancy postpartum band / Abdominal binder / Waterproof abdominal binder ).
Before you start using this abdominal brace make sure you know how to put it on correctly.