If you notice heavy bleeding or oozing from your incision site, reddened edges, increasing C-section scar pain, or have a fever higher than 100.4°, call your doctor right away, as these could be signs of infection.
Signs and symptoms to look out for include: abnormal swelling, redness, and pain around the wound. clear or discolored fluid coming from the wound. abnormal vaginal bleeding.
Signs of C-section scar infection: when to see your doctor
Redness, warmth, or swelling of the incision or skin surrounding it. Fever higher than 100.4 Fahrenheit. Oozing or drainage from the incision site. Foul smell from the area.
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.
We know that every patient has a different labor and delivery experience, but in general, it takes around six weeks to completely heal from your C-section. “We realize many of our patients also face the challenge of caring for the baby while they're recovering,” said Dr. Son.
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.
Keep an eye on your C-section incision site and look out for signs of an infection, which can include fever, painful urination, severe abdominal pain, discharge, redness, odor, visible tearing, or vaginal discharge.
What Do C-Section Scars Look Like? Since they're usually made below the pubic hairline, you might not see your C-section scar at all. It'll look red or pink for several months but eventually it fades to a pale, flat, thin line.
Scar Tissue Release
Adhesions form scars end up creating soft tissue restrictions, which can lead to symptoms such as pain, sensitivity, numbness, tingling, and dense build-up of tissue.
Common signs of an internal or uterus infection after a C-section include: A fever over 100.4ºF degrees. Increasing abdominal pain. Chills, fatigue, body aches, or flu-like symptoms.
Just make sure not to push yourself too much, as overexertion after C-section delivery can have serious consequences, including wound infection or injury.
Scar tissue
Collagen builds up where the tissue has been damaged, helping to heal and strengthen the wound. For a period of about three months or longer, new collagen continues to form and blood supply increases, causing the scar to become raised, lumpy and red.
Nerve pain does not necessarily imply that anything was done incorrectly during the surgery. Signs that may indicate you have suffered nerve damage to small branches within the skin include: Burning, shooting, stabbing, shocking and searing pain around the scar and in the groin or inner thigh.
A Caesarean section is a major operation. It will take some time for you to return to normal. The outside skin edges of your wound should seal after about two days but the internal healing of muscle and other tissue below the surface goes on for many months.
In the first few days after a c-section, your scar will be sore to the touch, and it may hurt to move around. It will look red and slightly swollen, and you'll be able to see the stitch or glue they used to close the wound.
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. Use pillows to keep your spine aligned and take pressure off your joints.
Keep the wound area clean by washing it with mild soap and water. You don't need to scrub it. Often, just letting the water run over your wound in the shower is enough. You may remove your wound dressing and take showers if stitches, staples, or glue were used to close your skin.
If you have had a C-section and are experiencing a superficial pain around the edges of the scar, it is likely the ilioinguinal, iliohypogastric, and/or genitofemoral nerves have been affected.
As your body heals and the pain decreases when you move around, you can slowly try bending (between weeks 4 and 6). First, bend slowly up to a few inches and stand back up. When you straighten up, you will Stretch yourself to get up.
With a little one to care for and so much to do, you might be anxious to resume your normal daily activities. But it's important to listen to your body and not overdo physical activity. Avoid bending, stretching, or lifting — and don't carry anything heavier than your baby for the first four to six weeks.
Doctors, traditionally, have advised women to avoid stairs after a C-section. But Kathryn Houston, a clinical instructor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of California, San Francisco, shrugs off that recommendation. “Stairs are fine as long as you take them slowly,” she says.