Here's an easy way to treat caesarean section scars so that they recover quickly

Childbirth by caesarean section generally leaves an incision scar in the abdomen. These surgical scars can cause pain or tenderness, especially in the early days after childbirth. So, in order to recover quickly as before, how about the post sc wound care or after this cesarean section?

x

What does a cesarean scar look like?

At the beginning of the puerperium or the initial period of lochia bleeding, the cesarean section suture scar will appear slightly raised, swollen, and darker in color.

When compared to your natural skin color, the color of this caesarean scar tends to be darker.

Doing any activity or movement that affects the abdominal muscles will usually make the caesarean section ache and painful.

Caesarean section scars are generally about 10-15 centimeters (cm) long.

No need to worry, over time the width of the caesarean section scar can shrink back.

The dark color of the caesarean section scar will also match your actual skin tone.

This condition will at least improve approximately six weeks after cesarean section.

There are two types of sutures or cesarean incisions, including:

1. Horizontal

Horizontal or transverse incision is the type of suture most often found in cesarean section scars.

Most of the caesarean section applies the horizontal suture type.

A horizontal incision is made in a transverse or longitudinal direction in the lower abdomen or the lowest part of the uterus.

This incision can minimize the amount of bleeding so that less blood comes out.

In addition, closing the caesarean section scar with a horizontal incision also allows you to give birth normally after cesarean section (VBAC).

2. Vertical

Compared to horizontal incisions, the type of caesarean section suture with a vertical incision is now less common.

This type of vertical suture was more widely used in cesarean section in the past and is rarely used nowadays.

In some cases, a vertical incision is usually preferred over a horizontal incision.

This incision is usually made vertically if the baby is breech position, or the baby is positioned low under the uterus.

A vertical incision can also be done in an emergency that requires immediate delivery, such as heavy bleeding due to placenta previa.

If the type of cesarean section suture with a horizontal incision is transverse in the lower part of the abdomen, the vertical incision is different.

As the name implies, a vertical incision caesarean section suture is performed in the middle of the abdomen from the top (below the navel) to the bottom (around the pubic hairline).

These incisions are usually more painful, and take longer to heal completely.

If you want a normal delivery after cesarean section with this incision, your risk of developing complications of normal delivery (such as uterine rupture) is greater.

An incision in the abdomen is different from an incision in the uterus

However, you need to know that the type of cesarean section suture performed on your stomach is not the same as an incision in the uterus.

It should be understood beforehand that the doctor will make two incisions on the stomach and uterus during a cesarean section.

The difference in the type of cesarean section suture lies in the incision in the abdomen.

Meanwhile, the incisions in the uterus remain the same, both for horizontal and vertical surgical incisions.

However, both horizontal and vertical suture post sc (post-caesarean section) scars have the same treatment or care.

There are various ways to close the incision from a caesarean section

Before knowing the proper post sc (post-caesarean) wound care, first identify 3 ways that doctors do when closing the incision:

1. Staples

Closing the caesarean section scar incision with skin staples is the easiest and fastest way to do it.

Before you leave the hospital to go home, the doctor will remove the staples from your incision.

2. Glue

There is a special glue that can be used to cover the caesarean section scar so that the skin looks together again.

This method is believed to be able to heal and treat wounds faster while leaving a more faint caesarean scar.

However, the use of this glue can only be done by considering certain conditions.

Considerations are based on how the caesarean section is performed, whether it is done with a horizontal incision or not, and the condition of your skin and belly fat.

3. Stitches

This method of closing the caesarean section takes about 30 minutes or more and is done using a needle and thread.

Over time, the suture wound from the caesarean section (post sc) will then fuse itself with the skin so that it can be continued with proper treatment.

Compared to some of the previous methods, sewing the caesarean section is believed to be a better way.

This is because the possibility of developing wound complications if the caesarean section is sutured can be much less than using staples or glue alone.

How is the post sc (post-caesarean) wound treated?

Before you are discharged from the hospital and go home, the caesarean section scar will be covered with paper that resembles a ribbon.

This wound dressing is known as a Steri-Strip.

This ribbon is useful for protecting your caesarean section scar in order to keep it closed and clean.

Usually, the Steri-Stip will come off by itself in about 1 week.

During this wound healing process, maybe sometimes you will feel a little itching around the cesarean section scar.

However, don't worry because this is normal and it will heal later.

It is important to understand how to properly treat cesarean section scars as a postpartum care.

Post sc wound care (post caesarean section)

In order to keep the post sc scar covering (after cesarean section) clean, here's how to treat or treat you should do:

1. Change the bandages regularly

If you use bandages that must be changed regularly, replace the bandages every once a day.

Immediately change the bandage if the condition is wet, damp, or feels uncomfortable as a way of treating or treating post sc wounds (after cesarean section).

2. Do not lift heavy objects

How to treat or treat other scars is to avoid lifting anything that is too heavy for about 2 weeks after cesarean section (post sc).

Because this is at risk of making the surgical wound problematic and it takes a long time to heal.

3. Keep the wound clean

Keep the incision area clean and dry by regularly cleaning it with soap and clean water without scrubbing too vigorously.

How to treat or treat scars after cesarean section (post sc) can help speed healing.

4. Avoid soaking

Avoid soaking in the bath and swimming until your doctor allows you to do so, quotes Medline Plus.

This effort can be done as a post sc (caesarean) wound care at home.

Post sc wound care (post cesarean section) with Steri-Strips

If you are using Steri-Strips, here's how to properly treat or treat post sc (post-cesarean) scars:

• Avoid washing the Steri-Strips or other wound dressings. You can still take a shower, and then dry the wound dressing with a clean towel.
• The Steri-Strips will usually come off on their own in about a week. But if it doesn't go away, you can consult a doctor. Sometimes doctors may recommend that it be used for more than 1 week.

In essence, do not hesitate to shower and clean all parts of your body.

Although sometimes it may hurt, taking a shower can help prevent the possibility of infection in the caesarean section.

If the doctor has replaced the wound dressing with a waterproof material, it is okay to wet it in the shower.

But if not, the doctor will usually tell you certain rules.

These rules include when the bandage can be exposed to water, when not, and so on.

It is important to remember, avoid bathing and swimming for a while as a way to treat or treat post sc (post-caesarean section) cesarean scar.

After about six weeks, your scars will usually start to heal and you can carry out activities as before.

Even if your caesarean section scar has healed or dried up, it may still look a little reddish in color.

This condition is considered normal because it generally takes about 6 months for the wound color to completely fade and almost match the original skin color.

What must be done so that the wound heals quickly?

There are several things you can do to help your body heal the cesarean section scar faster, namely:

1. Don't get too tired

Make sure you take the time to rest in between busy babysitting. Try to take breaks while your baby is sleeping.

It would be better to put everything that is needed close to you so that it is easier to reach.

Reporting from the Mayo Clinic, avoid lifting heavy objects, doing excessive household chores, or moving too much.

All of these things can trigger stretching of the skin that has had a cesarean scar.

In fact, it can make the caesarean section scar irritated for several weeks after surgery.

2. Take care of the stomach, especially the area around the incision

Try to have good posture when standing or walking.

Occasionally or frequently, you may feel pain and discomfort in the caesarean section scar when sneezing, coughing, or laughing.

The solution, try to hold a little of your stomach in the area where the caesarean section was incised when you cough or laugh.

3. Fulfill nutritional intake as a post sc wound care (post-caesarean)

Fulfillment of daily nutritional needs from food after childbirth will help the body to recover faster.

Also drink plenty of fluids to prevent constipation or constipation that often occurs after childbirth.

Actually there is no special food to heal cesarean section wounds.

As long as there is no taboo, mothers can eat any food to increase their energy to quickly heal a caesarean wound.

However, some food sources that contain certain nutrients are considered to accelerate the healing of cesarean section wounds

You can increase the protein source foods that can help accelerate the growth of new tissue.

The content of vitamin C in food can also be a cure for caesarean section because it helps fight infection.

In addition, foods that contain iron are also needed in the formation of hemoglobin to accelerate the healing of cesarean section wounds.

Usually, drinking herbal medicine after giving birth is believed to help restore the condition of the mother's body after childbirth.

You can consult further with your doctor to get advice if there are certain foods that can quickly heal a cesarean wound.

4. Keep the incision clean

Maintaining cleanliness during the initial healing period is useful for preventing infection.

When bathing you can wash it with water and a little soap, then scrub gently.

When finished, dry it using a clean towel by tapping it slowly.

Perform post sc (caesarean) wound care at home according to the doctor's instructions.

5. Maintain air circulation in the wound as a post sc wound care

Do not cover the wound for too long so that it does not expose the wound to air.

This is because being exposed to a little air can speed up the wound healing time.

As a solution, you can wear clothes that are a bit loose at night to keep air circulating in the caesarean section scar.

6. Routine health checks to the doctor as post sc wound care

If your incision is closed with stitches that are not attached to the skin, you should have it checked by your doctor regularly.

That way, the stitches can be opened immediately and the scar will heal as quickly as possible.

Conversely, if you feel that there is something wrong with the stitches, even accompanied by certain symptoms appearing in the body, consult a doctor immediately.

If the incision from the caesarean section is red, swollen, or is oozing discharge, don't hesitate to get it checked out.

Especially if this condition is accompanied by a high fever and pain in the area around the incision from the caesarean section.

Any questions you want to know about recovery after cesarean section can also be consulted with your doctor, for example about sex after childbirth and menstruation after childbirth.

Will the caesarean section scar disappear later?

Over time, the cesarean scar that has healed usually becomes less noticeable.

Initially, this caesarean section scar may appear red, purplish red, or pink, for several months.

However, over time, after taking proper care or treatment, the caesarean section scar (post sc) usually starts to fade until it is pale, flat, and thin.

At least it took about six months or more, until finally the caesarean section scar (post sc) looked better after proper care or treatment was applied.

In some cases, there are women who have caesarean section scars that are quite large and thick.

This condition is known as keloid which occurs because of an overreaction to the healing process.

As a result, the scar that should have healed looks like it's growing and protruding.