You can start wearing c-section recovery shorts as soon as they feel comfortable! Some moms feel better wearing their C-section recovery shorts on their way home from the hospital, while others prefer to wait a few days before beginning to wear them regularly. How you feel may depend on how your incision is healing, vaginal bleeding, and general sensitivity. For some, recovery shorts feel good and for others it may take a few days to feel that supportive benefit.

Yes! Shapewear, like compression shorts, specifically designed for postpartum use, can provide additional support for mothers recovering from a cesarean section delivery or diastasis recti. After giving birth, the muscles may be sore, weakened, or overused. Compression shorts can help you feel more supported throughout the day in the weeks following a c-section.

You can wear c-section recovery shorts as long as you want that extra support and compression. Many women prefer to use compression shorts for C-section recovery for around three months, but continue to see benefits, comfort, and support for their first year postpartum and beyond depending on abdominal recovery. You don’t want the shorts to be too tight. Tighter is not necessarily better and it doesn’t make you recover faster. Instead, you may increase your discomfort and actually do more damage than good. You’ll want the compression to feel like a snug hug around the abdomen. The path to healing is an individualized process, so add postpartum compression shorts to your routine slowly, starting with active hours when there’s increased movement and bending. For women recovering from a C-section, it’s important to take extra precautions and keep a close eye on the incision area. Look out for signs of infection: redness, swelling, drainage, or increasing tenderness.

The best postpartum compression shorts for c-section recovery are designed with compression fabric to offer the support, stability, and shaping that many new moms need during her postpartum recovery, and not every pair of compression shorts is created equal. Belly Bandit® C-Section Recovery Shorts have targeted compression to help reduce swelling and silver-infused fibers that may help minimize bacteria and odor. The shorts feature Stayput™ technology to reduce rolling, a "gotta-go" gusset opening, and thigh chafing protection. Mother Tucker® Postpartum Smoothing Shorts are another great option for gentler support with targeted compression zones to smooth and shape your tummy, tush, and thighs. Not only do they keep you feeling supported and of course looking fabulous all day long, they also aid in postpartum recovery. The gentle compression provided by Mother Tucker® Smoothing Shorts helps support weakened muscles around your midsection and promote healthy blood flow, which can help reduce swelling and encourage faster healing.