Healing Of Caesarean Section After Birth
Taking care of a caesarean section after childbirth is not complicated, but regular care is important for cesarean section healing.
As your skin forms scar tissue to heal the wound, it is important to prevent infection, and be aware of possible complications.
In this article, we will review some practical tips to take you off a scar from cesarean section, and help your body heal.
How healing of cesarean section takes place
When a new mother emerges from the operating room, she will discover that the area with the incision is covered with a surgical dressing.
During the first few weeks after a caesarean section, she will need to pay close attention to this area, in case the incision bleeds or opens.
Women who have had a caesarean section will also need to change the dressing regularly to avoid infection.
After a few days, it will no longer be necessary to cover the area with the incision all the time. In general, any wound heals faster when it can get fresh air.
Bandages can seal moisture, creating an environment where microorganisms and pathogens can thrive.
When the scar takes shape, it will usually be flat and pink. However, about 5% of women will develop keloid scarring postpartum.
Keloid scars are characterized by abnormal growth of scar tissue, and are more common in people with dark skin tones.
With this in mind, women who have given birth by caesarean section should have regular checkups with a trusted health professional.
A medical professional will know how to identify keloid scarring, and can offer treatment options that will improve the appearance of the scar.
Take care of your skin during pregnancy to help heal cesarean section
To make it easier to take care of a scar from caesarean section and prevent keloid scarring, you need to start preparing while you are still pregnant.
Add a good moisturizer or aloe vera daily to maintain the elasticity of your skin. This will prevent it from cracking, and help the skin to form a better scar after the caesarean section.
You can also adjust your diet during pregnancy to give your skin a boost. Pregnant women need to eat plenty of protein and stay well hydrated.
Getting plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet will also help you strengthen your immune system, in addition to preventing constipation.
Care and healing of caesarean section: daily hygiene
It is crucial that the area where the scar is located is cleaned daily to prevent infection. Wash the area with warm water and a mild soap, using very gentle movements.
Stay away from perfumed and antibacterial soaps that can irritate the skin.
After washing and cleaning the area with plenty of water, make sure that the area is dried thoroughly. Moist skin can be a breeding ground for bacteria and other pathogens. Gently dab the area with the scar using clean gauze.
When washing and drying the wound, avoid all sudden movements that can tense your abdominal muscles. Any impact or contraction of the area can push the healing process back.
Leave the scar uncovered to accelerate healing of cesarean section
By connecting an area, you create a humid microclimate, which slows down the healing process, in addition to giving microorganisms an ideal place to multiply.
The longer you can leave your scar from the caesarean section freely exposed to fresh air, the easier and faster the healing process will be.
However, if you need to go out, clothes that rub against the area can cause irritation. Use a simple gauze bandage and hypoallergenic medical tape to prevent this.
Find some soft cotton clothes
During the healing process, you will be more comfortable in soft, even clothes – preferably made of cotton. Thick clothing and synthetic materials can trap moisture in the abdominal area, exposing the wound to microorganisms.
If the weather is cold, wear a cotton top as the first layer of clothing, then add warmer clothing on top.
It is important to make sure that any material that comes in contact with the skin does not interfere with the scar or cause an allergic reaction.
Every woman is different and every single body heals at a different pace. When taking care of a scar from a cesarean section, pay attention to your own needs, and listen to your body.
The first person you should contact should be your doctor. Your doctor will give you guidelines for the postpartum period that will help your body heal.
