The Best Products for a Smoother C-Section Recovery

Your care team will usually give you a hospital-issued support band to wrap around your tummy post C-section, but it’s usually a pretty basic model. That’s why it can be helpful to purchase your own support essentials to help you to feel more secure and protected, whether you’re lying in the hospital bed or your own bed after being discharged. 

This belly wrap provided much more support than the band that the hospital gave me in the recovery room; I used it whenever I was carrying my baby or walking around the house. And when I felt up to going for walks with the stroller around the neighborhood, it really helped me to feel secure and supported. I like that this one is made of bamboo, so it feels soft on the skin—materials that aren’t as soft can cause irritation around your sensitive incision area, and you definitely don’t want anything rigid, either.

This kit features most of what you need in the hospital and shortly after: a peri bottle, disposable underwear, an abdominal support binder, silicone scar patches and comfy grip socks. I like that it also comes with shower wipes, which are great if you don't feel up for a full shower yet. I remember the nurses telling me I could get up and take a shower the morning after the procedure, but I was feeling sore and it was the last thing I wanted to do. Being able to wipe and freshen up from the comfort of your hospital bed can help you to feel refreshed. Just be mindful of ingredients, especially if you’re using these wipes near your incision or other sensitive areas—you want to avoid harsh chemicals and fragrances that can cause irritation.

Disposable underwear isn’t just for vaginal births. You’ll have some vaginal bleeding during your recovery as your body sheds the extra tissue and blood in the uterus during pregnancy, and being able to tuck a pad into disposable underwear and then just toss them after being worn is so much more appealing than having to find a clean pair and then wash it afterward. These are soft and breathable and help a pad to stay in place really well. I also like that they’re gray so you don’t feel like you’re wearing an adult diaper.

These were the postpartum pads that Cori Tucker, a mom who had two emergency C-sections and one planned, swore by throughout her postpartum period. “The more kids I had, the heavier my flow was postpartum, and these were the most comfortable and absorbent,” she says.

Since you’ll be passing some vaginal blood, fluid and tissue even after a C-section, using a peri bottle can help you rinse all of it off without having to bend over uncomfortably and risk irritating your incision, Dr. Chapa says.  The hospital will likely give you a generic version of a peri bottle, which you fill with water and use to rinse down below after going to the bathroom. But this one is touted as being much easier to operate, since it’s designed to be held upside down so you can aim the nozzle without having to flip your wrist around. It’s also easier to squeeze with one hand so that you can use the other one to prop yourself up if it’s too painful to fully plop down on the toilet seat so early into your recovery. It comes with a travel bag for taking it home with you from the hospital, which helps to keep it sanitary.

Staying hydrated after a C-section is essential (so many people suggested this to me and they were right—it really helps to get things moving). Even though this stainless steel water bottle from Pura is meant for toddlers and kids, I love that it’s plastic-free and shorter and wider so that it doesn't tip as easily—great for sitting next to you on a nightstand or side table. It’s insulated so it keeps water nice and cold, and it has a silicone sleeve, which makes it easy to grip. When you’re tired and sore and reaching for a bottle, this is such a bonus.

“After birth, stool softeners are particularly valuable immediately post-operation to reduce straining,” Dr. Comfort says. “Pooping can be challenging after a C-section because of several factors: the anesthesia slows down your digestive system, pain medications can temporarily make your intestines sluggish and less active, you're moving around less than usual, and many people avoid straining to protect their incision.” Colace is one of the most recommended stool softeners—you may be given some in the hospital. 

Dr. Comfort also suggests eating fiber-rich whole foods, ample water consumption and starting a fiber supplement, like Metamucil or psyllium husk, 1-2 weeks before surgery to help maintain softer stools.

“Another thing I found out after my first [C-section] was how painful that first trip to the bathroom is post C-section,” Tucker says. “For about a week leading up to my [other] C-sections, I took a Metamucil packet every day to help prepare my body for the trauma and medicine that comes with the surgery.” This, she says, really helped regulate everything and took the pain and stress out of the situation. (Always talk to your doctor first before starting a stool softener or other supplement.  

And if your constipation doesn’t resolve with doctor-recommended products like the above, be sure to let your healthcare team know, since it could be a sign of a post-op complication.

I started by using the belly support band that the hospital gave me, but then found that some of the belly binders were too tight and aggravated my incision. So when I got home and was doing more couch time in my initial recovery period, I wore these. They offered the perfect amount of compression—not too tight, but still helped me feel supported. The waist also goes above your C-section scar and doesn’t push on it.

These were a go-to for me after I was done bleeding and no longer needed to wear pads. I love how high this underwear sits so that it doesn’t push on your C-section scar. I had actually tried to transition into regular underwear a few months after my procedure and found myself going back to this underwear, and I used it exclusively for six months postpartum. The high waist even helped to hold me in a bit when I wasn’t wearing my belly wrap, and the material is so soft.

Pregnancy swelling is its own thing, but you’re often also swollen after a C-section. This can be the case due a combination of increased IV fluids during surgery, hormonal fluctuations that promote fluid retention and decreased mobility that limits normal fluid circulation back toward the heart, Dr. Comfort says. I found compression socks to be a big savior during my recovery. They helped my ankle swelling go down dramatically, which made it easier to walk around and helped me feel a lot more comfortable. 

Note: If you’re still swollen within a couple weeks after giving birth, check with your doctor, because it could be a sign of postpartum preeclampsia or DVT (a blood clot in your leg).

This cozy oversized shirt was helpful for postpartum recovery in so many ways. It buttons all the way down, which makes it easy to nurse as well as gain access to my incision. It’s also comfy because it’s made from bamboo, so it’s extra soft. I wore this for the first week after coming home from the hospital, and it was so nice to not have to experiment with whether pants and a waistband would push on my incision or not. After that, I slept in this at night, which was easy access for nursing.

Immediately after your surgery, the idea of any sort of waist band going anywhere near your incision feels intimidating. These pants are super lightweight and come with an adjustable drawstring, which makes them a good option when you’re ready for pants in general. “These are hands down my favorite around-the-house outfit for postpartum,” Tucker says.

“I lived in these,” says Cassie Lawrence, a mom in San Diego who had a C-section a few years ago. “Following any major surgery, it's hard to get comfortable. I found the key to comfortable pants was being able to adjust the height of the waist, which is why opting for pants that have both options was perfect to wear day and night.” I also wore these and found them to be comfortable. The waist goes way up high over your incision, and they also help your abdomen to feel more supported.

This scar balm has a nice soothing, neutral smell (especially if your sense of smell is still heightened right after giving birth). It rubs in well and is certified organic, which made me feel good about slathering it onto my body while breastfeeding. Other parents who reviewed this balm even raved about it working well for older scars. One user said: “I am blown away. I ignored my C-section scar for 14 months but recently started to think it should be lighter as it was still quite purple in color. I’ve only been using this product for four or five days and my scar is already visibly lighter in color. I honestly can’t believe how quickly this stuff is transforming my scar. Feeling so much more confident in how it looks because of this magic balm.”

If you prefer a scar patch over a balm, this one gets great reviews, and it’s what Dr. Chapa personally recommends to patients. It comes with six reusable strips that are large enough to cover an entire C-section scar. They can be worn all day long and even in the shower. It also includes a Keep-Clean Case to store patches in between use.

“Silicone gel or strips are considered a gold standard in scar treatment after [a] C-section,” Dr. Chapa says. “They keep the scar hydrated, promote healing and flatten the raised scars over time.” As a bonus, this gel is also marketed as being good for stretch marks. Some reviews say the cream is easier to apply than scar tape, which can sometimes fall off, and it’s not always clear as to how long to leave them on for.

This pillow made feeding so much easier and more comfortable. I tried other nursing pillows at first, but they kept falling down and pushing on my stomach. I love how I can fasten this one around my waist up higher than my incision and it actually stays put due to the Velcro strap and buckle. I also got an extra organic cotton cover to go over it, which can help keep it clean.

A comfortable pillow to prop yourself up with, such as a body pillow or C-shaped nursing pillow, “helps with comfortable feeding and resting positions,” Dr. Comfort says. I used a pillow that was similar to this one and swore by it. In my early days of recovery, I placed it behind me on the couch so that I could lean back on it and stretch my legs out. Then I propped myself up with it, whether on the couch or in bed, to feed my son before I was ready for the structure of a rocking chair.

“One of the hardest things post C-section is getting comfortable laying down in bed,” Tucker says. I can also vouch for that! Tucker found relief from using her pregnancy pillow for extra comfort and support. “The best part is you can take them to the hospital with you,” she says.

Getting a C-section also means getting regional anesthesia, which can potentially leave your back sore for a few days. A heating pad can help with that, especially if you prop it between your back and whatever supportive pillow you’re using while feeding your baby. “This heating pad was so helpful for my recovering body,” Tucker says. “And the auto shut off is great for nighttime when you don't want to have to worry about getting up to turn it off.” She also found it to be the perfect size to cover your back.

This model comes in three colors—pink, gray and baby blue—and plugs in to provide therapeutic heat. It has four settings and goes from 110 degrees F to 140 degrees F. It’s also ultra soft and extra cozy. You can use it with moist heat therapy or dry, depending on what kind of relief your body is craving. And it’s easy to control with an LED controller.

One of the most painful parts of recovery is getting in and out of bed, because if you do it wrong, it can put more pressure on your incision. A bed rail can make getting in and out of bed a much more comfortable experience, Dr. Chapa says. This model is sturdy—it's outfitted with slip-resistant pads and it can hold up to 300 pounds, allowing you to put pressure on it without worrying about it collapsing or sliding. It’s adjustable to fit almost any size bed—from a twin to a king—and is easy to assemble. Note that it’s not meant for lower profiled beds that are less than 13 inches from the floor to the frame, and it’s only compatible with mattresses that are 7 to 11 inches high.

Using a step stool was key to me being able to get into and out of bed with less pain. This stool in particular is wide and sturdy, which is important for preventing fall hazards. We have a higher bedframe, and the first few nights I tried to get into bed, it was really uncomfortable. I used a step stool to prop one foot up to sit down on the bed, then do that fancy move where you swing your legs over and land on your back. And after you heal, you can keep this around for other purposes—I now keep it tucked in the cupboard under the kitchen sink and can quickly set it up and step on it to reach things in a higher cupboard.

“For many postpartum women, it's quite challenging to stand up straight even for 10 minutes,” Dr. Chapa says. “A shower chair allows them to sit in the shower, relax and avoid dizziness.” This model has slip-resistant soles, which help to make sure it doesn’t move when you sit down or stand up. It’s also adjustable, so you can set it so that you don’t have to squat down too low (which can be painful). It’s also nice that this chair has arms and back support, which make it more comfortable and easier to get in and out of.

After complaining about how I kept dropping things on the floor and having a hard time picking them up without pain, a friend who had a C-section herself recommended this. It was a lifesaver—I used it throughout my entire recovery to pick up items from the ground or things that were up higher on shelves. I kept it near me at all times and affectionately referred to it as my claw.

Having an infant requires lots of products: easy access to diapers, wipes, bottles, pacifiers, blankets, swaddles, diaper balm... “This cart enabled me to put my water, snacks, diaper stuff, burp cloths, etc. so I could roll it around rather than carry everything,” says Murphy. It has three tiers, comes on wheels and can hold quite a bit of stuff. Position it next to wherever you’re hanging out for the day, whether recouping on the couch or sitting in a chair to nurse, and you won’t have to get up a bunch of times to grab things you need.

“Hot tip: Having a recovery basket set up in areas you frequent is awesome!” Dr. Comfort says. “Include some self-care items, luxurious lotion, water bottles, etc so everything is in easy reach while feeding your baby to minimize the amount of times you need to move back and forth to grab high-use items.” This cart on wheels is the perfect place to store essentials for yourself and baby.

It’s a good idea to have a stroller with handle bars that can adjust high enough for you to stand up straight. “This allowed me to take my sons for walks when I could, rather than having a low stroller causing [me] to stoop,” says Murphy. She said she loved being able to adjust the handlebars on her stroller to her height so that she could walk while standing up straight. “I could bend my elbows at a 90 degree angle, lock them to my sides and push from my whole body,” she says. “I feel like it made a big difference.”

Here are the ranges of handlebar heights for the above strollers:

• Thule Urban Glide 3: 35.5” to 44” (rotating handle)

• UPPAbaby Vista V3: 39.5” to 42.5” (telescoping handle) 

• Bugaboo Fox 5: 33.8” to 41.7” (telescoping handle) 

Note: If you’re planning to take your baby out for a stroller ride before they’re six months old, you’ll need to use either a bassinet attachment (included with some strollers, others sold separately) or a car seat attachment. Check the Car Seat + Stroller Compatibility Guide to find out which car seats work with your stroller and which adapter you’ll need.