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. They can help you manage any pain or other physical complications you may be experiencing. Your doctor may recommend monthly steroid injections so you can get the look you want., Laser therapy. However, I was pleasantly surprised. It just really helped me to overcome my insecurities." . Having this alternative procedure does affect the mother's recovery, and one of the most common effects of having a C-section is something called a C-section overhang. Incision type: low abdominal transverseClosure: glue with steri strips. However, vertical incisions are used in extreme emergencies, specifically when doctors don't have time to do the more intricate and less visible incision. C-section patients typically stay in the hospital for two to four days before going home. Going home after a c-section. However, it was my first sacrifice as a mother to ensure the safe arrival of my daughter into the world. For some women, this can be a difficult thing to deal with. On darker skin, it may fade to a brown or white line. If the appearance of your C-section scar is upsetting you, there are possible ways to change its lookand not all require surgery. If you lift too much too soon, it can impact how your incision heals. Scar tissue desensitization can help reduce sensitivity and bring back sensation to this area. But your full recovery will be measured in weeks, not days. 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). Your C-section scar will be covered with a paper tape-like product known as Steri-Strips. With time and care, your scar will eventually fade and become less noticeable. However, a vertical incision is considered more painful and takes longer to heal.. Be gentle with the scar: Avoid putting pressure on or picking at the scar. Hemostasis consists of the first 2 days. The pouch (also called a uterine niche) develops when the c-section incision (cut) doesn't heal completely. Cons. The surgeon must go through several layers, separating muscle to reach the uterus. Were proud to share this round-up of real c-section scar photos to remind you just how powerful your body is and what youll do to keep yourself and your baby safe. The Birth Injury Health Center explains the three c-section scar healing stages: 1. Although your incision is healed, that doesnt mean you wont still have some tenderness (or sometimes, numbness) in the area of your scar. Isthmoceles can lead to infertility, complications during future pregnancies and other problems. Don't rub or scrub your incision, just let soap and water run over it. to voice your concerns. After a c-section, according to Healthline, it's possible for endometrial tissue to begin to grow in the incision site. Check out some of our favorite compression garments and silicone scar removal sheets in our Amazon Storefront. Both incisions are about 4 to 6 inchesjust big enough for your babys head and body to fit through. There are two types of incisions a surgeon may use during a C-section: vertical and horizontal. It turns out it just has thicker scar tissue there. The most common type of incision used for a c-section is called a Pfannenstiel incision. This type of scar is less common & can be more difficult to heal. Many people regain most or all of the sensation in their abdomen. They're keeping your wound closed and clean. It is best to treat a scar when it has just initially formed, and the skin has healed back together. containerEl: '#fd-form-61660b8c9a36b29c176a3bc2'
Heres everything you need to know about caring for your C-section scar, from immediate care to more advanced postpartum care. Your incision will probably feel a lot better after the first week, though it may be tender for much longer. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Do your best to rest as much as possible and ask for help so you aren't trying to handle meals, housework, visits, and caring for other children during your postpartum recovery period. Take pain relievers. About 32% of births in the United States happen via Cesarean section, also called a C-section, C-birth, surgical birth, belly birth or just plain Cesarean. In some women, these scars become thick, raised, and red. If you have stitches or staples, youll have them removed about a week later, usually in the doctors office. If they're still there after 14 days, you can remove them, unless your doctor tells you not to. C-sections are generally safe, but unlike a vaginal delivery, they involve a surgical procedure. A hypertrophic scar is harmless, but it may get irritated when you wear clothes or you may not like how it looks. However, there are things you can do to help minimize the pain and promote healing. There are two different types of cesarean section incisions: vertical and horizontal. Your scar will be 10-20cm long and is usually just below your bikini line. But with proper care and time, the pain should lessen. To ensure a safe and fast C-section scar healing, gently cleanse and dry the C-section scar every day for the first couple of weeks. If your scar has been confirmed to be fully healed by your care provider, and you are worried or concerned about your scar or want to decrease the tension, pulling sensations, swelling, or redness, you can start gentle scar massage using a c-section cream or another mild oil. 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. Don't put any creams, lotions, or ointments on your incision without asking your doctor. This is where your body is constricting the blood vessels and clotting. Keep it clean during the initial C-section scar healing period to prevent infection, and avoid heavy lifting, housework, or any big movements that might stretch or irritate the scar for the first six weeks. Using cold compresses: Compresses help with swelling. Since they're usually made below the pubic hairline, you might not see your C-section scar at all. This frittata is high in protein and rich in essential nutrients your body needs to support a growing baby. Score: 4.7/5 (59 votes) . As it heals, your scar will narrow to about 1/16 inch wide. (And, if you are reading this, you probably do too.) C-section scars can also interfere with breastfeeding. Published 2021 Nov 15. doi:10.3390/ijerph182211998, Zuarez-Easton S, Zafran N, Garmi G, Salim R. Postcesarean wound infection: prevalence, impact, prevention, and management challenges. All About C-Sections: Before, During, and After. C-section recovery: What to expect. Once a C-section scar is well-healed, usually around six weeks postpartum, you can treat the scar directly to help break up adhesions and increase the mobility of the tissues. Most C-section scars heal within a matter of weeksor months. Prep an ice pack and place it over your incision, making sure theres some sort of barrier between the ice and your skin. Medical lasers can help soften old scars and get rid of raised scars. Getting plenty of rest: Healing takes a lot of energy, so make sure to get plenty of rest. Physical therapy is another potential treatment. J Obstet Gynaecol. Once the scar heals, you may only have a faded line thats barely noticeable. Try to resist the urge to scratch the scar and instead, ask yourself why does my c section scar itch. Is your baby in an awkward position? Before we dive into the photos, lets answer a commonly wondered and asked question. That may mean that your scar is hypertrophic, where your body created more scar tissue than necessary. Steri-Strips should fall off in about two weeks. Doctors aren't sure what causes keloid C-section scars, "but there is obviously a hyper reaction to the healing process that causes the scar to grow outside its original boundaries," says Dr. Tassone. There are a few things you can do to help you get your healed c section scar faster. I had my son Ruben on the 30th of June 2022 via elective c-section because I have Crohns Disease. For the first couple of weeks, avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby. All Rights Reserved. Some choose to appreciate what it symbolizes, instead. C section scars can cause physical problems such as pain, inflammation and infection. Others get C-section scar tattoos, or body art which covers the incision site. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Most C-sections are done the latter way, with 95% of procedures in U.S. being done via a "bikini cut." Whether your C-section was six weeks, six months, or six years ago, you can benefit from putting in the time and effort on properly healing your scar. This includes regularly icing your incision. How Should You Take Care of Your C-Section Scar? C-section scars can cause emotional scarring as well as physical scarring. If you're seeking a preventive, we've gathered a few of the best stretch mark creams for pregnancy. For comfort, avoid wearing low-rise underwear that hits right at your scar. What are the types of c section stitches? Keep it clean. Directly after birth, the incision will still be healing, so it will look red and swollen. When to do it? It is important to keep an eye on your scar and see a specialist such as. Make sure to work out how to keep c section incision dry when overweight as well. This type of incision leaves a vertical scar that can be more difficult to conceal. if you think you might have an infection. Taking medication if necessary: If you are experiencing pain, inflammation or other complications, your doctor may prescribe medication to help you manage it. You can use these products after the c-section wound is healed completely. These will fall off on their own in about a week; don't mess with them before that. Raised and reddish (and very visible) scars are the kind that can worry moms. Consuming turmeric in pregnancy is a debated subject. I gave birth to my first and only daughter almost eight months ago (33 weeks, to be exact) via a scheduled c-section with dissolving stitches as my suture material. Exercising: Moderate exercise can help promote healing. Appearance concerns aside, Lo says a C-section scar massage can help prevent chronic pelvic pain. C-section scars do not go away completely. Take time to rest and let things heal before you get back to your daily routine. If you experience any of these feelings because of your types of c section stitches, it is important to schedule an. For a less invasive option, you can apply a silicone sheet to the scar, starting two weeks post C-section. During this time, you can shower freely using a mild soap without scrubbing the area. It is important to be patient and let your body heal naturally. C-section scar recovery. In rare cases, your C-section incision might open (or reopen). You may lose feeling in the area of your wound . You can also use silicone scar removal sheets to facilitate wound healing and prevent hypertrophic or keloid (aka thick, raised scars). Doula vs. Midwife: Whats the Difference? While uncommon, your scar may have a raised characteristic, known as a keloid. 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