Bandages and dressings after a C-section

The dressing type and removal timing vary with the closure method, hospital protocol, and condition of the wound. Follow the discharge instructions supplied by your maternity team. Do not remove a special sealed or negative-pressure dressing early unless the team tells you to do so.

The outer dressing is separate from the stitches, staples, or skin adhesive holding the incision together. Some dressings are removed before discharge, while others remain for a planned period. A small amount of staining can occur early, but spreading wetness or active bleeding needs attention.

Once the covering is removed, the wound may be left uncovered if it is dry and clothing does not rub it. Sterile strips or adhesive directly over the incision may have their own removal instructions. Pulling them off prematurely can disturb healing skin.

Wash your hands before wound care. Shower only as advised, let water run gently over the area, and pat it dry with a clean towel; avoid scrubbing, soaking, powders, oils, and perfumed products. Keep the skin fold dry and choose loose clothing that does not press on the cut.

Use only the replacement dressing recommended by the maternity service if the covering loosens, becomes wet, or is soiled. Support the abdomen with a pillow when coughing if that feels comfortable, take prescribed pain relief, and follow lifting and activity guidance. Check the incision daily in good light without repeatedly touching it.

Contact your maternity team promptly for increasing redness, warmth, swelling, worsening pain, pus, unpleasant odour, fever, wound edges separating, or fluid soaking through the bandage. Heavy bleeding, faintness, severe abdominal pain, or feeling acutely unwell requires urgent care.

Emergency assessment is also needed for chest pain, sudden breathlessness, coughing blood, or painful one-sided leg swelling. These are not routine wound-healing symptoms. If adhesive causes blistering, an expanding rash, or marked itching, seek advice about a different dressing rather than applying creams beneath the covering.

Ask what type of dressing and closure you have, exactly when each should be removed, whether you may shower, and where to obtain replacements. Confirm who will check the wound, whether staples or non-dissolving stitches need removal, and which telephone number to use outside clinic hours.