Over-the-counter pain medication can also ease pain. Inflammatory stage. It also means you'll need to be more aware of what you can and can't do as your body heals. C-section patients typically stay in the hospital for two to four days before going home. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. C-section scar mobilization. But sometimes, surgery is needed to repair the damage. This is the most common type of c-section scar. Learn how to do C-section scar massage from a physical therapist who explains when to start c-section scar massage, the benefits of scar massage, how hard to. Since youll receive two incisions one in your abdomen and one in your uterus your surgeon will close both incisions. Walking is good for healing, but strenuous exercise and lifting anything heavier than your baby will have to wait. Once the scar heals, you may only have a faded line thats barely noticeable. For starters, make sure you keep the area clean. To promote healing during the c-section recovery process, try and do the following: Rest (easier said than done with a new little one on your hands!) Heres everything you need to know about caring for your C-section scar, from immediate care to more advanced postpartum care. And unfortunately, scars dont always fade away. They can also limit movement and flexibility, and may interfere with breastfeeding. Its also important to engage your support people in scar care, too. In fact, according to March of Dimes, nearly 32% of all live births in the United States are delivered via this method each year. Bikini cuts are popular and sometimes preferred because they tend to be less painful and less visible after healing which is great news if you want to minimize scarring. It'll look red or pink for several months but eventually it fades to a pale, flat, thin line. Of course, theres no way to know how a scar will heal until it actually does. The most exciting part of her birth occurred one week postpartum when I rushed to the ER a little after midnight one evening due to chest pain (an emergency symptom postpartum). I planned for a vaginal birth all along; however, my dear daughter was breech at the 36-week growth scan, and I was scheduled for a c-section. You should clean the wound with soap and water every day to prevent infection. You'll likely feel numbness and some twinges of pain around the incision for several months. It turned out I had a pulmonary embolism, and the doctors told me I saved my own life coming into the emergency room. Scars are an unavoidable part of giving birth by C-section. But others close incisions using surgical needle and thread (non-dissolvable stitches), although this process can take longer, up to 30 minutes. Do you have other health concerns? You can simply let water in the shower run gently over the area for the first few weeks. Copyright 2021. "There have not been any good scientific studies demonstrating that any over-the-counter preparations are better than just proper wound care," says Rajiv B. Gala, M.D., the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' young physician at large. Hypertrophic scars. Healing: It can take up to three months for it to fully heal. Your scar is nothing to hide and something you should be proud of (we know this can take time to achieve, be patient with yourself). If you have a preference for closing the wound, discuss this with your doctor beforehand. Usually, your scar will become thinner and flatter and will turn either white or the color of your skin. Compression garments can be super helpful for this stage. Try to resist the urge to scratch the scar and instead, ask yourself why does my c section scar itch. Expecting and Empowered. (305) 666-0258, Obstetrics The skin incision is about the length of your middle finger just above your pubic hairline. The most common type of incision used for a c-section is called a Pfannenstiel incision. Listen to your body and don't overdo it. Some women feel self-conscious about their scars and may feel like they are not as beautiful as they used to be. It is important to keep an eye on your scar and see a specialist such as Dr. Miranda in Miami if you think you might have an infection. You can put your ice pack right inside of your underwear or pants to keep it in place. Treatments include medication, freezing, injections, lasers and surgery. Some scars will fade over time, but many don't. And the way a scar forms largely depends on the woman's genetics and skin type. That was my only option, so I wasnt disappointed or shocked that things went that way like some mothers can be. 1 As a result, the rate is rising for cesarean scar defectthe presence of a "niche" at the site of cesarean delivery scarwith the reported prevalence between 24% and 70% in a random population of women with at least one cesarean delivery. In most cases, baby's head fits through a four- to six-inch skin incision made horizontally just below the pubic hairline. You may find that you still have a bit of pain from time to time, and numbness is also common. As you heal, you will probably feel like your abdominal area is numb. Here's everything you need to know about your C-section, from what to expect after your procedure to some of the most common FAQs about the most common surgical incision around. Common C-section internal scar mobilization techniques include: Scar Tissue Release And Integrated Therapies (STRAIT): this is a 3-dimensional fascial-release technique that reduces scar formation and . In pregnant patients with a history of prior cesarean delivery, a severe CSD is a risk factor for both early (i.e., uterine rupture) and for late complications (i.e., ectopic pregnancy at the scar level and other scar-related abnormalities). The scar can bind to the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, making subsequent pregnancies trickier. Nerve damage after a C-section may improve in the months following delivery, in which case your doctor can recommend a corticosteroid injection to relieve pain. These incisions are low on your torso, just above your pubic area. If your belly hangs over your incision, keep the area underneath your belly and near the incision dry. Don't pick at your incision. If you see any of these signs of infection on your incision, call to see your doctor right away! For the abdominal incision, your surgeon can make either a vertical cut from between your navel to your pubic line (classic cut), or a horizontal side-to-side cut in your lower abdomen (bikini cut). This type of scar is harmless, but you may not like the look of it. C-Section Scar Healing Stages There are 3 distinct stages to incision healing after a C-section and the scar tissue will have a different appearance in each phase. Miami, FL 33143 If the wound itches, try to resist the urge to scratch it. By clicking Subscribe, I agree to the WebMD, Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Bird Flu Deaths Prompt U.S. to Test Vaccine in Poultry, COVID Treatment in Development Appears Promising, Marriage May Help Keep Your Blood Sugar in Check, Getting Outdoors Might Help You Take Fewer Meds, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox, Pregnant With Allergies? Giving yourself at least six weeks of healing. Infection not only puts your health at risk, but it can also make scarring worse. Typically, are three different types of cesarean incisions: In general, your scar should not ooze pus or bleed. Proliferative stage. Claudia Boyd-Barrett is a longtime journalist based in Southern California and a proud, continually adapting mom of a teenager. In medical terms, this is called C-section dehiscence. The exact time it takes for a C-section scar to heal depends on each woman. Founded by new mom and self-care author Carley Schweet, Hello Postpartum aims to help fill in the gaps in postpartum care and support. What should my c-section scar look like? If you have glue over your incision, you can remove any remaining glue after two or three weeks. 2022 Hello Postpartum. There's conflicting information out there so we look. A C-section is necessary when youre unable to deliver vaginally. You could have either the classical cut or the bikini cut. Eat well and stay hydrated! Infection is another possible complication of c-section scars. It just really helped me to overcome my insecurities." . Here is what I wish I knew going into my second C-section: 1. A classic cut is more painful and leaves a more noticeable scar, but its often necessary with an emergency C-section because the surgeon can get to your baby faster. Usually, your scar will become thinner and flatter and will turn either white or the color of your skin. A hypertrophic scar is a thick raised scar that's an abnormal response to wound healing. As a c-section mama, I often feel alone when looking at my scar or feeling the sensitivity and being reminded of the terrifying surgery I endured awake to birth my baby so thank you. DOI: Taking care of my scars with massage. Some scars may appear bigger, thicker, or more raised than others, of course; however, they're rarely very obvious. Not only does the surgeon need to make an abdominal incision, but they also need to make an incision in your uterus to remove your baby. I had a suspected placental abruption (confirmed later, I did not) and an emergency c-section at 10cm after 5 hours of labor and 20 min of pushing and failed vacuum extraction. They can help you manage any pain or other physical complications you may be experiencing. Keep a close eye on it for signs of infection, which can include heat, swelling or liquid weeping from the incision. Some choose to appreciate what it symbolizes, instead. C-Section Scar Healing Stages. Getting massages: This can help to break down scar tissue and improve circulation. Another important note: This is also the point where you should be keeping an eye out for infection. If your baby is having a health emergency, it lets your surgeon get to them quicker and begin treating them. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000624.htm [Accessed March 2021], MOD. Zoe Etkin, a motherhood coach and somatic bodyworker/scar tissue practitioner based in Memphis, TN and nationally online, explains: Scars are an incredibly smart thing the body does when it experiences trauma. Remember that everyones scars hold their own birth story and will look different from the next. About 1 in 3 women in the United States deliver their babies via C-section. 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