14 FAQs About C-Section Scars

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When it comes to C-section scars, women get quite wary. You might have quite a few questions pertinent to C-section scars, how they heal, how the scar might look when it’s healed, and so on. You might worry about how and when you can have a bath with after a C-section. These and many more queries are answered here for you:

In This Article

1. What type of incision is involved in a C-section

If you have seen women with C-section scars, you might have noticed that some have vertical incisions, while some have horizontal incisions. Your surgeon makes two incisions, one through your lower abdominal skin, which is about an inch or two above the pubic hair line, and the other incision is made through the uterus. The incisions can be horizontal or vertical in each of the lower abdominal skin and the uterus.

A horizontal incision, which is also called Pfannenstiel or a bikini incision, is the usually adopted incision type. It is made above the pubic hair or just over the hairline C-section. This type of incision is more visually appealing when it heals. 95% of the incisions are of this type these days, especially because the lowest uterine region is the thinnest and it involves less bleeding. Also, the chances of the incisions opening in case of vaginal birth after c-section or VBAC, is less in the case of horizontal incisions.

Vertical incision is the original type of incision and therefore called classical incision in a layman’s definition. The incision is done from under the belly button to the pubic hairline. The vertical incisions are very rare and are applied only in extreme situations such as a scar from an earlier surgery. If your baby is an unusual position, or if there is a case of excessive bleeding owing to placenta previa or severe fetal distress or in case of preterm labor, then this incision is done. Vertical incisions take longer to heal and might be a little more painful than horizontal incisions.

2. Is it possible to have a VBAC with these previous scars?

The type of the uterine incision can determine whether one can have a vaginal birth after cesarean or VBAC. You might want to consult with your surgeon for the kind of uterine incision and whether vaginal birth is possible in future pregnancies. This is especially because certain uterine incisions might have more chances of risk, for instance, if your incision is extended.

3. What type of scars can one have?

There are two types of scars depending on how well your scars heal. They usually heal well, but at times when your healing mechanism gets excessive especially if you are under 30 and have darker skin. This could lead to the scar tissue extend beyond the borders of the wound and end up as lumps of scar tissue around the incision. Such a scar tissue is called keloid. On the other hand, a scar that is firmer, thicker, and usually more elevated than a normal scar and does not extend beyond the borders of its original incision line is called Hypertrophic scar.

4. What types of material are used to seal a C-section incision?

While several factors such as your body constitution might determine this, your doctor might use sutures or stitches, staples, or glue. Skin stapler with metal staples is preferred by doctors because it’s the quickest and the easiest option.

Stitches involve sewing the incision together by using needle and thread which might take about thirty minutes time. However, experts believe that stitches are more viable than staples or glue because stitches are believed to have 57% lesser complications than incisions sutured with staples.(1)

Doctors might also use surgical glue which is layered on top with a transparent dressing. A surgical glue is supposed to heal very fast with little scar being visible. But your doctor might use a surgical glue as determined by many other factors such as the type of incision, your fat and abdominal skin.

5. What to do in case of a pain at the Cesarean scar?

If you see swelling, redness, or experience extreme or worse pain, or if you see the incision area secreting anything, it could be a sign of infection which needs immediate attention. Speak to your doctor at once.

6. Is itching at the Cesarean scar a normal thing?

If you have experienced itching from the scab while a bruise is healing, you will very well understand that itching after a C-section is a normal thing. But you don’t want to scratch the C-section scar as it might lead to infection as you are hurting yourself and preventing the scar from healing completely. Some women take the help of a pillow or cushion to hold it tightly over the scar to help alleviate the itching sensation. Sometimes the itching does not occur so much from the scar as much as it can occur due to shaving the pubic hair right ahead of the surgery. Even after the pubic hair grows the itching sensation recurs. This is because the wound is healing.

7. Is it normal for the scar to smell?

If the incision area smells, it could be a sign of infection. Speak to your doctor at the earliest.

8. What to do in case your C-section scar irritates you?

It’s the best to avoid clothing that will be in direct touch with your C-section scar. You might also want to use underwears that make don’t sit tight around the scar area. You can revert to your wardrobe after a few months when you scars have healed completely. It’s important to keep the incision site dry and clean. It might be advisable to use a stack of cotton to be tucked over the skin over the incision area after the scars are healed completely. Keep the skin thoroughly dry after bathing.

9. What about numbness in the Cesarean scar?

The numbness might be temporary, but for a few mothers, it might be the permanent sensation in the scar area.

10. What would be the length of a C-section?

A C-section can be four to six inches long. However, the length could vary depending on the length and the incision as determined by the birth of your child.

11. How soon can a C-section scar heal?

Healing varies from one woman to the other. It largely depends on the kind of nutrition you take. If there is an infection, it will need to be attended to first. Your healing will be rapid in the first few weeks but as time progresses the healing will be subtle with less noticeable changes.

12. How do you help the scars to heal?

Depending on the kind of stitches your doctor has applied, you will be advised to waterproof the wound or be free to take a shower one day later. Your doctor is your best guide here. However, you will need to keep the incision area clean and hygienic. You might be advised to use antibacterial ointment or petroleum jelly on the incision area, which again you need to confirm with your doctor. Don’t wear tight clothes. Let air circulate the incision area to promote healing faster. Don’t resume exercises until your doctor allows you. Move around gently so as to promote blood circulation and prevent deep venous thrombosis or blood clot.

13. Is there a way to minimize scarring?

You can talk to your doctor about options such as the application of silicone sheeting, silicon gels or creams, and by limiting exposure to direct sunlight which can make the incision area darker.

14. Is it possible to get rid of the scars?

You might discuss with your doctor whether you can opt for laser therapy which can help remove discoloration and smoothen the texture. Alternatively, there are steroid injections available which can help the scars flatten and seem less noticeable. While your doctor might apply them at the time of C-section to prevent keloid or hypertrophic scarring, you might as well get them after your C-section scars have healed.

There are also surgical procedures such as tummy tuck operation that involves removing extra fat and skin and carefully stitching the incisions together. However, this might not be a great option because a tummy tuck will show a longer scar than a C-section scar. The other surgical option is getting a scar revision which means that the surgeon removes the skin around the scar and then sutures the new wound in a way that shows less noticeable scar.

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