C-section Scar Healing Stages (2024)

FAQs

How do I know if my C-section scar is fully healed? ›

About six to eight weeks after baby's birth, your c-section incision should be completely healed, and you'll be able to gradually resume most of your normal activities, including exercising, driving and lifting items heavier than baby.

How long does it take to recover after a c-section? It usually takes about 6 weeks to recover from your c-section but this will depend on your individual situation. If you had any problems during or after your c-section, or if you're looking after other children at home, you may feel you need more time to recover.

In general, your scar should not ooze pus or bleed. As it heals, it might be lumpy, feel tight, or develop a c-section shelf. These are things to look out for and know can be corrected with the proper care and attention.

Whether you've birthed vagin*lly or via c-section, the physiological tissue healing takes around six weeks. However, whilst your scar from the outside may look better, the process of healing is still well and truly underway deep down.

If this has happened, you might be able to see some of the stitches or staples that are no longer in place. Your C-section might look like a fresh wound, with redness or bleeding. If your C-section opening is due to an infection in the area, you'll see signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or pus.

When Can I Start Bending After C -Section? As your body heals and the pain decreases when you move around, you can slowly try bending (between weeks 4 and 6).

It takes about six weeks to recover from a C-section, but each person's timeline will be different. An incision — typically a horizontal cut made in your lower abdomen — can take weeks to heal. During that time, it's recommended that you avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby.

Some people are ready for pre-pregnancy activities like taking a bath within a few weeks after the C-section. But for others, it may take 4 weeks or longer for the surgical site to heal. The decision to take a bath comes down to the incision site. It needs to be well healed before submerging your body in the water.

You'll probably feel some soreness in the incision, and you may have bleeding or discharge for up to 6 weeks after the C-section. That's expected. However, the following symptoms warrant a call to your doctor, because they could signal an infection: redness, swelling, or pus oozing from the incision site.

Manual scar tissue mobilization and cupping can help to minimize the shelf-like appearance. Both techniques essentially lift and move tissues that are stuck which can reduce the indentation and thus minimize “shelf.”

What causes C-section overhang? ›

A C-section pouch is actually caused by scar tissue left behind by your C-section scar. In some cases, the way your body recovers after surgery can cause excess fat to find itself in your lower belly area.

After a c-section, you should sleep on your back or side. This shouldn't put too much strain on your c-section wound. You can also try sleeping on your back with your head elevated.

Lifting Restrictions

As a cesarean section is an abdominal surgery, your doctor will likely advise you to not lift anything over 8-10 lbs, depending on the doctor as well as the details regarding your cesarean and your personal health. Lifting restrictions typically last anywhere from 6-8 weeks.

Sleeping on Your Side

Sleeping on your left side aids in optimum blood flow, which is great for your recovering body. You may still need that full-body pregnancy pillow around to support your belly and hips.

This pressure and weakened pelvic floor can lead to the drop and protrusion of organs, a serious medical condition.” With a cesarean birth, lifting too heavy too soon can cause your incision (either external or internal) to open, rupture, or cause other serious medical issues.

We find that chronic c-section scar pain has myofascial layers (abdominal muscles, connective tissue, nerves, blood vessels) that often have adhesions and are not able to slide and glide properly. The result is tension and stiffness in the scar tissue and nearby structures.

What Causes C-Section Scar Pain and Complications? Overgrown scar tissue from a c-section can cause numbness, pain, and tightness in the lower abdomen. It can also be difficult to activate your abdominal muscles, leading to subsequent feelings of weakness or back pain.

The first day after a C-section is often the hardest, and moving around may hurt. Take any prescribed pain medication on schedule, and time your trips to the bathroom or around the room to coincide with when the pain medicine kicks in, suggests Dr. Woeber.

Returning to Physical Activities After a C-Section

It's important to get out of bed and walk around within 24 hours after surgery.

3 weeks post-cesarean delivery

After you've been home from the hospital for 3 weeks or so, you might be walking for up to 15 minutes, gradually building up the time if it feels good. Keep up your daily pelvic floor exercises too.

When can I stop cleaning my C-section? ›

While your scar is fresh—usually for the first two weeks—you'll be instructed not to lift anything heavier than your baby so as not to disturb the healing process. During this time, you can shower freely using a mild soap without scrubbing the area.

Always sit well back on a supportive chair, your feet should be able to touch the floor in order to support your posture. Use pillows to support your back and to rest your baby on your lap to bring them into a comfortable feeding position. You can then use pillows to support your own arms.

A surgical wound infection can happen at any time from 2 to 3 days after surgery until the wound has healed. This is usually 2 to 3 weeks after the operation. Sometimes, you can get an infection several months after an operation.

Some women do experience symptoms related to their C-section scar long after the operation. Some women feel pain, restriction, or a pulling sensation on or around their scar months or even years after surgery. This is normally due to the build-up of scar tissue which can stick to muscles or even organs and cause pain.

If you experience some itching on or around your caesarean scar, don't worry. This is normal as part of the wound healing process. Itching could be caused by pubic hair growing back if it was shaved before surgery. Do not scratch the wound as this can cause infection.

Laughing, Sneezing, and Coughing Can Hurt—A Lot

While it's rare for your stitches to come apart, it is important to give yourself literal, physical support after a C-section. The best thing you can do when you feel like laughing—or coughing or sneezing—is to put a pillow over your stitches and press it onto yourself.

Swelling after a C-section is completely normal, and gas pains can be excruciating. They should pass within a week, once your bowels are moving normally again (abdominal surgery causes them to "shut down" temporarily, so pooping after a C-section might not come easy).

Some women are lucky to come away scar-free, without any sign of a C-section pooch. However, other women are left with a red, rigid scar often accompanied by an overhang of loose skin. According to top plastic surgeon Dr.

Sometimes all your C-section pooch needs is time and regular massage of the scar. After 6-12 months, if that C-section shelf is still there, chances are high that it will always be there unless we treat it.

How can I tighten my hanging belly after C-section? ›

Recovering from a C-section requires that you give yourself space and time needed to heal properly. This also means that some activities and behaviors may need to be avoided or adjusted until you're at least 6 weeks postpartum, you're fully healed, or your doctor has confirmed it's OK to do so. Avoid: stomach sleeping.

After a C-section, she recommends women take eight weeks off and to avoid heavy activity to prevent complications. “A lot of women still have significant pain at two weeks after,” she said.

Q: Can I still belly bind if I have a c-section? A: You can still receive belly binding if you have a c-section. We will wait until 4 – 6 weeks postpartum, based on your healing and recovery. The belly bind still has many benefits within the first three months.

If your postnatal bleeding (lochia) gets heavier or changes colour (becomes pink or red) after activity, you could be overdoing it. You're also likely to feel very tired. Listen to your body. Pace yourself and make sure you get plenty of rest too.

2 "It's recommended to wait the full six weeks after Cesarean delivery to resume any lifting more than 15-20 pounds," says Dr. Koidahl. "This is to let the incision fully heal."

During the first six weeks after having your baby, you can gradually increase activity at a pace that suits you. You could start with a five-minute walk, and gradually extend this time when you feel able. Ask your midwife or health visitor if you're unsure about what's best to do.

It is major abdominal surgery and it will take you a while to heal. “Pain following a C-section is typically the strongest the first few days and subsides as you continue to heal over the course of a few weeks,” says Blindt.

The biggest outcome predictor is how other scars on your body have healed. While many women will see their c-section scar thin out and gradually fade in color over time, some scars will protrude and remain reddish or purple for longer.

How long do you bleed for after a c-section? You will have some vagin*l bleeding (called lochia) for 2–6 weeks after the birth. Bleeding sometimes lasts longer than this, but it should have stopped by 12 weeks. This bleeding happens after vagin*l and c-section births.

How do you know you are recovering from C-section? ›

At first, your cut (incision) will be raised slightly and pinker than the rest of your skin. It will likely appear somewhat puffy. Any pain should decrease after 2 or 3 days, but your cut will remain tender for up to 3 weeks or more. Most women need pain medicine for the first few days to 2 weeks.

Use warm, soapy water to wash your incision daily (usually when you shower). Pat the area dry after cleaning. If your doctor used tape strips on your incision, let them fall off on their own. This usually takes about a week.

Recovering from a C-section requires that you give yourself space and time needed to heal properly. This also means that some activities and behaviors may need to be avoided or adjusted until you're at least 6 weeks postpartum, you're fully healed, or your doctor has confirmed it's OK to do so. Avoid: stomach sleeping.

3 weeks post-cesarean delivery

After you've been home from the hospital for 3 weeks or so, you might be walking for up to 15 minutes, gradually building up the time if it feels good. Keep up your daily pelvic floor exercises too.

They're keeping your wound closed and clean. While your scar is fresh—usually for the first two weeks—you'll be instructed not to lift anything heavier than your baby so as not to disturb the healing process. During this time, you can shower freely using a mild soap without scrubbing the area.

You may remove your wound dressing and take showers if stitches, staples, or glue were used to close your skin. Do not soak in a bathtub or hot tub, or go swimming, until your provider tells you it is OK. In most cases, this is not until 3 weeks after surgery.

The C-section pooch occurs when the C-section scar is anchored down to your core abdominal muscles. That makes the stretched out skin of your belly and the fat above it more noticeable. When the layer of fat between the skin and the muscle is disrupted during the surgery, the scar is not able to move freely.

A C section pouch refers to the excess skin and fat that accumulates around the abdomen after a C-section procedure. This is also referred to as a pannus stomach, mummy tummy or apron belly – and can be a huge source of emotional distress for many women.