AbdoMend™ products are designed to reduce pain, give support and security for
the abdomen during the most critical phase of recovery.

Discuss abdominal closing with your Doctor.
The optimal procedure is;
Double suturing of uterus, sewing of the peritoneal sac and closing the top layer of skin with (Dermabond) Glue.

Ask what type of incision on your uterus the Doctor plans to do, as a vertical one does not allow for VBAC in future births.

Develop a Caesarean birth and health care plan for yourself and your baby. Ask questions if you need to, your health care providers are there to help you. Check in with your loved ones if you get confused and refer to your plan. Be prepared as you may be asked if you want your arms tied down while you wait for your partner/loved one to scrub clean.  Relax and laugh if you can!

Relax and breathe deeply when they administer the anaesthetic. C- Section surgery is not a long process, but closing can be. Know your blood type, just in case you need the information. Determine if you would like to have your baby’s umbilical cord blood to be stored for your baby.  (Refer to our link page on our website for further information.) 
You will be draped with a sheet to shield your head during the birth and then your baby will be brought to you. The Doctor will start to close up your abdomen. The doctor should check to remove any abdominal adhesions and check for any obvious problems. Imagine good thoughts! Your baby waits for you to be whole and happy.

Caesarean Section Birth Recovery

You will be taken to another room so they can monitor you post surgery for a couple of hours. Afterwards, you will go to your hospital room and rest.  Caesarean surgery is a major surgery, so be gentle with yourself.
This little pad is all you see until you are ready to shower and the surgical strips underneath are even smaller. You will eventually be asked to get out of bed and use the bathroom. Ease your pain as you prepare to move or get out of bed without wincing by making sure you put on the AbdoMend™ C- Section Recovery belt. Follow the directions given in your AbdoMend™ Recovery Kit. (We also have video directions on our website). Ask the nurse or a loved one for help. Prepare to get up by rolling to one side and use your arms to push yourself up and dropping your legs off the side of the bed. Relax and move slowly off the bed and keep your body bent as you support your belly, straighten up, and then straighten your legs.

Preparing for your shower

Ask for assistance to get out of bed and walk slowly to the shower. Take off the AbdoMend™ C- Section Recovery belt and while showering, gently remove the pad. After your shower when you dry off, put the AbdoMend ™ belt back on. You can place your underwear on the outside of the AbdoMend™ belt for continued support and ease to use the bathroom.

Receiving your Baby

Now that you are supported with the AbdoMend™ belt, your pain level is reduced, making it easier to concentrate and spend precious time with your baby. Keep your AbdoMend™ Recovery belt and support strap on while moving around, changing diapers and breastfeeding; however open the belt every couple of hours while resting to let your skin breathe.

Tips for self care:

Begin the techniques in the C-Section and Massage therapy booklet offered with the AbdoMend™ Recovery or Deluxe Recovery Kits.
Monitor your phone calls and sleep as much as you can. Drink smoothies, eat soups, oatmeal and other soft foods to help reduce constipation or ask for Colace, a stool softener.

Going Home

Arrange ahead of time to ask for help from friends and family with food, housework or babysitting for your older children. Keep visits down for the first 2 weeks and sleep as much as you can. Continue to use your Abdomend™ belt and support strap. Eat soft and milk producing foods such as whole grains and begin to massage your legs and belly using the techniques in your C-Section and Massage Guide. Begin to use the Hem It In Belt (offered with our AbdoMend™ Deluxe Kit) for continued abdominal support 2 -3 weeks post surgery, or depending on your comfort level.

• Supporting and protecting your incision will reduce post surgery pain, and help create a healthy scar.
• Our soft cotton belts are comfortable against your skin.
• We promote practical tools of compression to support your uterus and reduce pain and tearing.
• Binding, compression and massage after childbirth birth are proven ancient tools for recovery.
• Binding and Massage maximize healing. 
Abdomend™ products are also great for other abdominal surgeries like hysterectomies or hernias.
  
  

You may wear our AbdoMend™ recovery belts to aid in the support of your belly while you are pregnant or after a post partum delivery. Support will help reduce pain associated with weakened muscles as well as reducing stretch marks.  By using the belt with the extra bikini support strap, you will experience added belly support, or you can reverse the strap along your back to increase lower back support. 

“I am extremely impressed with the C-Section Bikini Belt.
I wore it for my support in my final months
and I have no stretch marks!”

Made from soft 100% cotton, our AbdoMend™ recovery belts do not cut into your skin or side, but still offer the support that you need. The belts are easy to wash and adjustable by 8 inches; therefore conforms easily to your changing body and gives you continued support.

If your baby has been repositioned from a breach or posterior position, the correction can be held with the AbdoMend™ belts.
Discuss binding with your Doctor or Midwife.

Please be aware that the material may stretch if worn during pregnancy, and may not be as snug for your post birth support. To shrink the belt, fasten tabs and wash, in hot water.

Binding is as Ancient as Childbirth Itself

After Delivery:
Your uterus needs to shrink back to a pre-pregnancy size and your intestines and organs have moved during your pregnancy. Binding the abdomen supports and restores your body back to a pre-pregnancy state.  The extra compression helps to stabilize your muscles as you begin rebuilding your core strength and stability through exercise.

The AbdoMend™ “Hem-It-In” belt is perfect to use immediately after a vaginal birth as it has a full elastic band, so it retains more of its supportive qualities.

Support for the organs is very important and it assists the muscles to work towards contracting back to a pre-pregnancy state. This provides wonderful slimming reduction for results you will love.

The Hem-It-In Belt is also designed to adjust to your changing shape.

The natural bristle brush included in our AbdoMend™ C-Section and Deluxe Recovery kits is an important element in your healing program. Using the skin brush, with techniques described in the recovery guide, will increase lymphatic drainage; reduce inflammation, swelling and the chance of infection. Brushing helps to regenerate the sensory receptive qualities of your skin, which helps reduce the numb feeling post surgery. Brushing will help to relieve itchy sensations. After the 2nd month, the brush can be used directly on your scar.

Often the incision is done in the hairline, and the hairs grow back through the scar, sometimes creating problematic bumps or more scarring. Using the skin brush will help remedy this problem. Follow the directions in your scar therapy booklet.

Step 1

With the printed directions and healing symbol facing inwards against your body, place the right side of the belt on your left hip. Wrap the belt around your back and attach to one of the two Velcro® tabs. The vertical strip is for the largest setting, and the horizontal strip is for a narrower fitting. This design allows the belt to adjust to your changing body shape. Note: Belt will stretch while wearing when pregnant. To shrink the belt, wash in hot water, hang to dry.

Step 2

Bring the belt around your belly, and attach the two tabs at your right hip. Adjust the belt to fit to your changing shape. Be mindful not to wrap yourself too tightly so as to restrict your circulation. The extra support will help reduce stretch marks.

Extra Belly Support:

Attach the bikini support strap to the Velcro® tabs, across your belly from side to side.

Lower Back Support:

Attach the bikini support strap to the Velcro® tabs, along your back from side to side.

Refer to your “C-Section Recovery & Hemming Scar Therapy” booklet for care and guidance for getting out of bed for the first time. You may be feeling weak after your surgery for putting on the belt by yourself. ASK for some help and assistance.

STEP 1 - While lying down

Position the belt so that the writing on the belt will be facing your skin. The flat end piece of the belt with #1 should be on your right side with the two finger tabs on your left side.
NOTE: For demonstration purposes, the belt is shown being put over clothing; place the belt directly on your skin.
TIP: You can wear your underwear over the belt; this will help make it easier to use the bathroom

STEP 2

Start by gently bringing your knees up with your feet placed flat on the bed. GENTLY lift your hips, and for the first time (or as often as you feel you need to have help) have someone slide the belt underneath you. Position the belt so that the writing and the symbol on the belt will be facing your skin. The flat end piece of the belt with #1 should be on your right side. Relax your body and lie back down resting on top of the belt. The #2 indicated on the belt should be close by your body on your left side.

The vertical Velcro® strip is for the beginning of your recovery, and the horizontal strip is used as your swelling and weight decrease. This design allows the belt to adjust to your changing shape. The horizontal Velcro® strips are for when you start to reduce your weight, swelling and the organs begin to return to their normal positioning.

Step 3

Bring the right side of the belt (#1) over your abdomen, to your left hip. The bottom of belt should be 2” below your incision site. Take the left side of the belt and attach the Velcro® tab to the first inner vertical Velcro® strip.

Step 4

Continue wrapping the belt over your abdomen and attaching the two finger tabs to the two Velcro® tabs on your right side. Adjust so that it lays flat and fastened at a comfortable snug hold.

Step 5

Take the bikini support strap and attach to the Velcro® tab starting on your left hip. Continue to bring the bikini support strap across your incision site, ensuring that the support belt lies directly over your incision in the center of the strap and attach the Velcro® tabs on your right side. The support strap should feel snug and comfortable for you, not tight, painful or constricting.

You are now ready to get up, knowing that you are securely held around your incision, which will greatly reduce your pain.

After surgery, the soft cotton is soothing, even against the most sensitive skin.

For the first week, put the belt on while lying down, later, you can put your belt on while standing.

NOTE: For demonstration purposes, the belt is shown being put over clothing; place the belt directly on your skin.
TIP: You can wear your underwear over the belt; this will help make it easier to use the bathroom
PLUS SIZE TIP: To keep your abdomen flat while binding, it may be easier to always put your belt on while lying down.

STEP 1

With the printed directions facing inwards against your body, place the right side of the Recovery Bikini belt on your left hip.   Wrap the belt around your back and attach to one of the two Velcro® tabs.   The vertical Velcro® strip is for the largest setting, and the horizontal Velcro® strip is for a narrower fitting. This design allows the belt to adjust to your changing body shape.

STEP 2

Adjust the placement of the belt so the bottom of the belt rests 2 inches below your incision.   Bring the belt around your belly, and attach the two tabs at your right hip.   Adjust the belt to fit to your changing shape. Be mindful not to wrap yourself too tightly so as to restrict your circulation.

STEP 3

The Bikini Support Strap is used for extra protection and support for your incision site.   Take the bikini support strap and attach to the Velcro® tab starting on your left hip. Continue to bring the bikini support strap across your incision site, ensuring that the support belt lies directly over your incision in the center of the strap and attach the Velcro® tabs on your right side. The support strap should feel snug and comfortable for you, not tight, painful or constricting.

STEP 1

With the printed side of the belt against your skin, start with belt close to your hip.   Bring the other side of the belt across your belly. If you’ve had a C-Section birth, or abdominal surgery, ensure the belt completely covers your incision.

STEP 2

Attach the Velcro® tabs at your hip. Adjust the belt to be snug, but not so tight as to be uncomfortable. Attaching the tabs at your hip gives a smooth front that is comfortable for you and your baby.   To adjust for a smaller fit, you can reverse the belt (with the printing on the outside).

NOTE: For demonstration purposes, the belt is shown being put over clothing; Place the belt directly on your skin.
TIP: You can wear your underwear over the belt; this will help make it easier to use the bathroom.

Washing Your Belt

Fasten the Velcro® tabs and wash the belt in cold water with low phosphate soap, and hang to dry.