Can Tampons Be Used After A C-section Delivery?

Posted on Thu, 5 Mar 2015

Question: I'm having a C- section at the end of april, i was wondering can i use tampons instead of pads after?

Answered by Dr. Sameer Kumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
pads are better than tampons in post partum periods

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the query to HCM,
It is usually not advised to use tampons following delivery be it c-section or normal, simply because the post partum blood flow / lochia includes more of dead tissue and sloughed off endometrium and the flow is continuous and in excess, also lasts for about 4-6 weeks. It is wise to use sanitary pads as it would help quantify the blood discharge and also tampons which have to be inserted into cervical mouth may act a source of infection if forgotten and can cause inadequate involution of uterus and cause uterine infection sometimes.

Hence it is better to avoid tampons, even though its a c-section, sanitary pads are always better during the post partum period as frequent change with sterile pads reduces the risks of post partum infection in mothers.

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari