Unplanned C Section - scar care

I had a c section 4 weeks ago today, I was advised to take the dressing off 10 days later you can take it off in the shower or have someone help you take it off. Have your showers as normal do not use soap on the area and I would hold cotton pads on the scar once I came out for a minute to dry up any excess water and then wear some knickers that are above the scar to avoid irritation! After three weeks you’ll feel a lot better internally and externally, I wore nappies for three weeks as I found it easier and more hygienic to be able to change more often. I got them off Amazon. Hope that helps x

@Mel thanks so much for this and the reassurance. It's a bit of a shock to finally see the scar under the dressing and wasn't sure where to begin. Are you planning to put anything on the scar eventually like oils or just avoid anything on it x

@Jenna just commenting as I’m in the same position! They don’t give you any info except keep it clean and dry! It’s a lot to handle when it’s not planned, it’s been 5 days since mine and have had the dressing off today - still can’t bring myself to look at it!

@Nicole I got my husband to take the dressing off as the idea of it was freaking me out. Have had a look now with a mirror and it's made me feel more fragile tbh. Going to take it easier than I have been the next few days. As you say I don't feel like I have really been given any after care advice x

Same here! Although I was told to take mine off while still in hospital and the first midwife visit she checked it for me. Agreed on given no after care advice too! I asked at my last appointment and they said to not use anything on it til the GP signs me off at my 6 week post natal check. I’m assuming it’s the same with being able to drive? I’ll ask about it then. Some people have told me it’s 6 weeks, some said 10 weeks others said it depends on insurance! Minefield… especially when it wasn’t planned like you say xx

My midwife took the dressing off at my 5 day check in. I think initially the most important thing is keep it dry and air it out where possible; you can do scar massages and use silicon strips if you want but you’d want to check when you can use them from (I think massage is after your 6-8 week check, for example) x

@Jenna Yes was a shock to me too, once the stitches dissolve you do start to feel better about it. The numbness does stay a while though mines still numb and I’m 4 weeks postpartum. I’ll probably avoid putting anything on it specifically for scarring. I think in three months time I’ll probably go back to my normal skincare routine and just cream the area as normal but I found the scar does shrink a little as it heals x

Just let water run over you in the shower and don’t touch the scar with anything. After shower pat throughly dry then pull on your high waited soft cotton undies 🩷🩷

I had an elective nearly 5 weeks ago and my incision has taken a lot longer to heal than it did last time round - Jan 23, unplanned section. It’s actually now infected, which is very annoying, I never had any issues 1st time round. Advice I’ve had from the pharmacist, which I think should be given as aftercare advice routinely, clean the area, pat dry with a microfibres cloth / towel that is used solely for this purpose & allow some air to the area daily or whenever you can. Honestly, something microfibres will get it much dryer than anything else you’ll use and making sure it’s dry is very important. I wouldn’t put anything on the area until you’re sure it’s fully healed externally, it just isn’t worth the possible infection. Also, please do pat the area dry, don’t rub it or wipe anything over it as you will irritate it. xx

Hi mine also was unplanned and sadly have an infection I think I tried to be active very quickly which made me get an infection :( it was bleeding and seeping quite badly yesterday so now in to see doc today! So rest rest rest is the advice but can only try our best with new borns to look after !

All the above but also once you’ve had your check up with GP at 6/8 weeks, you can start doing scar massage which will help it to heal. There’s a helpful instagram page called c section UK. I’m 6 weeks post c section and just want to say it does get better!

I had an emergency c section 4 weeks ago. I was so worried to even look at it, I really encourage you to try and look at it because it put my mind at rest thinking it wasn’t as bad as I imagined it to be. Take care of yourself and when they say no heavy lifting LISTEN. I thought it wasn’t doing too much then I started to bleed heavily again. Rest up and accept any help that you get offered! It gets better I promise x