C-Section, Cough and Congestion Care

I had an emergency c-section this month, and have been struggling with lung congestion since. It causes me to cough, which is very painful on my c-section wound. Is there any advice you can give me to ease the pain, reduce my congestion or make it easier to cope with?

Thank you so much for your help!

Ugggggh, this brings up such vivid, painful memories! I came down with colds and congestion in the early post-c-section weeks ALL THREE times, and every sneeze and cough felt like a hot burning kick in the gut.

Here are three things that can help:

1. A postpartum belly binder

Once upon a time I thought these things were some kind of silly vanity item, full of false promises of faster weight loss like those stupid “waist training” devices you see the C-list celebs pushing on Instagram. AND THEN I BOUGHT ONE. They help sooooo much with c-section incisions (and postpartum uterine contractions) by providing constant support of your tender abdomen, so movements like getting in and out of bed are less painful. Look for something easy and adjustable so you can cinch it smaller as your belly naturally deflates over the next few weeks and months and continue supporting and protecting your incision.

2. A handy-dandy throw pillow

Keep a small, firm pillow by your side at all times. Anytime you feel a cough coming on, grab it and brace it against your stomach. Like the belly binder, this will help keep your incision from being as affected by the natural movements/heaving that come with along with coughing and sneezing.

3. A humidifier

You probably bought a humidifier for the nursery, right? Break that puppy out and put it in your bedroom. I’m also a big fan of those plug-in vaporizers for general head/chest congestion, particularly for keeping the symptoms down to a minimum at night.

If you’re breastfeeding, here’s a super comprehensive overview of cold and allergy remedies that are safe and recommended for nursing mothers. I can’t speak to the effectiveness of some of the home remedies listed specifically for cough and chest congestion, but there’s at least no harm in trying any of them. You’ll always want to check with your doctor or lactation consultant about anything you take orally (herbal supplements AND OTC medicines), but there are lots of OTC decongestants/antihistamines that are generally considered safe and compatible with breastfeeding. Nasal sprays, saline drops and cough lozenges are also safe to use. (Avoid chest vapor rubs, since you don’t want a newborn breathing it in or getting it on their skin. There’s also some anecdotal stuff out there about it affecting milk supply.)

Final Recommendation

And one last product plug, even though this isn’t directly related to your question: ScarAway Silicone Scar Sheets for C-Sections. They really work! (Read more about my experience here.) And are sooo much easier to use than the creams and other topical treatments that require tons of applications to be fully effective. Slap a sheet on, take it off only to wash it (and your scar) once a day, and then put it back on. Repeat for up to two weeks before replacing the sheet. Two thumbs up, fine holiday fun.

More postpartum body advice here:

1. Postpartum Belly Binders: Help or Hype?
2. Postpartum Belly Binding?
3. Sex After a C-Section: What’s “Normal?”

Photo source: Depositphotos/kmiragaya