How To Care For Your C-Section Scar: A Comprehensive Guide to Postpartum Healing
How To Care For Your C-Section Scar: A Comprehensive Guide to Postpartum Healing
Embracing the journey of motherhood often involves learning to handle the aftermath of a C-section, where incision scars become a part of the experience. This blog post aims to empower mothers with the knowledge and tools necessary for optimal healing, ensuring a more comfortable and confident postpartum recovery.
Section 1: Immediate Care For Your C-section Scar
Caring for your C-section scar begins with addressing inflammation and preventing scar tissue build-up. To achieve this, regular icing of the incision is recommended every 2-3 hours for 10-12 minutes during the initial five weeks post-C-section. I bought frozen bags of peas and placed a clean dish drying towel/ flour sack towel over it to created a barrier between the cold and the skin. When the peas thawed out, I just tossed them back in freezer to refreeze and use again later.
The use of compression garments (my favorite is Bao Bei Body) (use code empoweryourpelvis for a discount) after birth is my favorite type of support for c-section and vaginal birthing moms. It is something I strongly suggest them purchasing PRIOR to delivery to have ready to go.
Silicone scar sheets further aids in reducing pain, swelling, and promoting normal wound healing. I do not suggest our patients use these until their doctor has told them their scar has healed. Usually around 8 weeks to 6 months is an ideal time for the silicone sheets to be used as seen in research.
Important: You should be keeping an eye out for infection within your c-section scar. Most postoperative infections are discovered 4 to 7 days after surgery. I have seen this happen to patents of ours in the clinic, so call your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:
Discharge (white, green, brown, or yellow fluid) Hardening of tissues
Fever
Tenderness
Redness
In my professional opinion, I would rather you be safe than sorry. It is always best to call your doc with what you are noticing than to think you will give it time.
Section 2: C-section Scar Tissue Desensitization
Many c-section moms experience sensitivity or numbness around their scar, which can cause discomfort. This happens when nerves are cut during the c-section. C-section scar tissue desensitization is a simple yet effective technique involving textures of varying softness. Fabrics like cotton, silk, felt, and even rougher materials like jeans or sandpaper are gently rubbed against the skin around the scar area. This is not to be done on top of the scar until after your doc releases you. This can be done 1-2 times a day starting a week after the C-section, helps reduce sensitivity and restore sensation. This is a gentle pressure with the fabrics across the tissue. Similar pressure as if you were petting your dog. Creating a basket of fabrics for easy access during nursing or feeding sessions is a convenient way to incorporate this into your routine. Since I was feeding my baby often throughout the day, I could easily remember to grab a piece of fabric out of the supply cart next to my recliner and touch my tissue.
Section 3: C-section Scar Mobilization
Scar tissue is like an ice berg. We can see the incision on top, just like the ice above water. But it’s hard to see what’s happening below. Scar tissue has no boundaries and will latch on to anything. Think of scar tissue like roots of a plant. Roots will shoot out and grow in all directions. Because of this, it is important to work on the scar tissue (tissue above and below the scar too) to make sure sit is moving in all directions to prevent pain, complications, and improve the scar's appearance. Scar tissue can bind to internal organs, impacting future pregnancies.
I recommend my new moms start this by setting a timer for 1-2 minutes every other day and then increasing it to 3-5 minutes if they can find the time to do so. I also like to have my patients start this around 4 weeks postpartum. Click HERE for a FREE download with pics to show you how to do it!
In conclusion, the journey to healing your C-section scar is a personal and ongoing process. Regardless of when your C-section took place, taking the time to follow these steps can significantly contribute to your well-being and recovery. Embrace the opportunity to care for yourself, and remember, it's never too late to prioritize the healing of your C-section scar. Best of luck on your recovery journey, ladies!
Top Ways to Prep and Recover After A C-section
Image from my second csection.
Top Ways to Prep and Recover After A C-section
Many expectant mothers may find themselves unprepared for what comes with having a C-section birth and the recovery process. Your healthcare provider will provide you with information for prepping and post-op like: how to move safely, options to bottle and breast feed and so on.
Having had three C-sections myself, here are some of the top things I wish I had known for my own c-sections:
Accept Help: Recognize that a C-section is a major surgery, and the recovery demands assistance. For the initial two weeks, lifting anything heavier than your baby is discouraged. Seek support from your partner, friends, or family to handle daily tasks, such as watching the baby, cooking meals (no shame in DoorDash), grocery shopping (I love that delivery is now an option) , house cleaning (ask for help with laundry and cleaning toilets 😉), and babysitting toddlers. Embracing help minimizes stress on you mentally and physically. And taking time off your feet will decrease the stress on the abdominal tissue.
Prioritize Preparation: A little preparation can go long way. The same way we prep for going to the hospital or prep for a marathon, you can prep for your c-section recovery. My sister is currently 37 weeks pregnant and, just in case, she ends up with a c-section, these are things I have for her for her recovery:
-a peri bottle for perineum care. Yes even through you delivered via c-section, you will still have bleeding vaginally. This is key to have when cleaning up after using the restroom.
-pads for the vaginal bleeding
-silicone scar pads: you can apply to the scar ONCE it is healed. Make sure you speak to your healthcare provider before using.
-ice packs and pain meds: for your c-section incision to reduce swelling and pain
- compression pants or undies. I’m a huge fan of Bao Bei Bloomers for the first few weeks postpartum compared to abdominal binders. You can use code empoweryourpelvis for a discount.
Control Your C-section Experience:
-Discuss concerns about your scar's appearance beforehand with your doctor. You can’t control what it will look like, but it help me ease nerves prior to surgery.
-Opt for a clear drape if you want to see the baby lifted up. I couldn’t not see much due to my big belly taking up my visual field. This also gives you the chance to chat it up with the staff in the room.
-Request to be the first to hold your baby or ask to have your partner do skin to skin for you while you are being sewn up.
Prioritize Pain Management:
Take your prescribed pain meds regularly. I tried to get off the meds with my first c-section because I was scared of getting addicted to them and I ended up causing myself way more pain and swelling than I needed too. Inadequate pain management can lead to increased reliance on opioids, prolonged recovery, and a higher risk of chronic pain and postpartum depression. So talk to your provider and develop a plan to keep you on the right healing path.
Walk To Get Your Ice In the Hospital: Once you can feel your legs and can safely stand and walk, make your self move in small distances. I did this by making myself walk to get my own ice in the hospital or prune juice to help with bowel movements. Walking can help with healing as long as it is in short distances in the beginning.
Master Proper Movement During Recovery: After my c-sections, every single movement hurt. Rolling in bed. Painful. Getting out of bed (remember you don’t have a core). Painful. Moving from sit to stand and stand to sit. Painful. I noticed with the pain, I started holding my breaath. When we hold our breath, it causes an increase pressure in the belly and the pelvic floor. It does not allow stability and support. So…when you feel pain (and practice this ahead of time), BLOW OUT to take the pressure off your pelvic floor and belly.
-Get out of bed: blow out as you log roll and use your arms to help get you to sitting up. This takes the tension off the scar if you just tried to sit up (difficult to do after a c-section with lack of core muscles).
-Getting out of a chair or off the bed: Scoot your butt forward on the chair or bed, think tits over toes and blow out as you stand up.
-Breastfeeding and bottle feeding: hold baby in a football hold and use pillows to take the pressure off the incision.
-Gentle movement: like short distance walking and small pelvic movements like the ones in your Body After Birth program, are so helpful and can be started day 1 after delivery.
Facing a C-section can be scary without knowing what to expect. I know, because that was me. Nervous Nelly. . By reading this, hopefully it eases your mind and gives you a little peace as you head towards your delivery. You've got this!!