How to care for a cesarean scar?

The percentage of cesarean sections in Poland is currently (year 2017) 43%. No matter what the reasons are, we must not forget that a Caesarean section is a major surgery, and the scar after a Caesarean section is a souvenir that will stay with us for life. Today I will tell you how to take care of yourself and the scar of the emperor, to ensure the best recovery, fitness and the most beautiful cosmetic effect.

 

The scar after cesarean section, which is what we see on the skin with the naked eye, is actually the tip of the iceberg. However, despite the fact that this is a trace of a major surgery, proper care can make this scar almost invisible and will not cause your discomfort. I am today 8 weeks after the second delivery, which took place in this way and I will tell you about how I took care of myself.

 

Why is this so important?

 

Unfortunately, but after leaving the hospital, we are usually left alone, we go to the doctor for the first check-up within the recommended period of 6 weeks after the birth, not knowing that we should work with the scar much earlier - if the doctor advises you anything about convalescence at all, After my first cesarean section, all my concern for my postoperative body was focused on the cosmetic defect and saving myself. Now I consciously took care of myself completely different!

 

 

1. Wound care after cesarean section

After the surgery, you can expect a caesarean dressing on your abdomen, which the midwife will take off after… a few hours, leaving the wound clean and uncovered. Your eyes will most likely see a thin line on the skin with several or a dozen stitches on it. Do not be surprised if there are bruises around the wound and scabs on the wound, it is completely normal, although I admit it is the first such fresh postoperative wound I have seen and it was a rather shocking sight for me.

 

The wound can be soaked with water immediately, so you can shower as soon as you stand on your own feet. It's a good idea to wipe the wound dry after each shower - you can use a paper towel or a fresh cotton towel. It is also good to rinse the wound with your favorite wound disinfectant every day and not apply any additional dressings to it.

 

It just so happens that this fresh air is your wound's greatest ally. To ensure the best conditions for healing, it is worth wearing high mesh underwear and loose dresses or sleep shirts from the day of childbirth. They will also provide you with the greatest comfort - they will not oppress this delicate and sore area. In summer, the right outfit is a very easy task, in winter, it is worth limiting the wearing of tight or warm clothes at the height of the wound (tights, pants) only for moments away from home. Remember, until the wound is fully healed, do not use scar preparations.

 

 

2. Taking out stitches

The midwife usually takes care of removing the stitches. I don't know if you know, but in Poland in the scope of basic health care under the National Health Fund for 8 weeks after delivery (pregnant also) you are entitled to six free home visits of an environmental midwife who should, among others, remove your sutures after delivery. This is an extremely convenient option, thanks to which you do not have to travel with your baby to clinics or private offices or to provide someone with care for him during this time.

 

Sutures after a caesarean section should be removed on the 6th day, then their traces will be the least visible. After the first cut, I took the stitches off for 10 days - I was so afraid of the scar dissipating in case they were removed too early. This time, however, I took them off exactly as the doctor recommended for the 6th day, and as a protection for the scar, I bought special slices that replace the stitches and after removing the stitches for a few weeks I secured the scar against dehiscence in this way.

 

 

3. Physiotherapy

After the first birth, I had no violet idea about how serious surgery I had and what its effects might be. It only made me aware of the huge back pains that affected me during normal, daily child care and pain in the scar, when 3 months after delivery I tried to return to any physical activity and tried to jog around the house or run to the stop.

 

This time, already pregnant, I went to a physiotherapist to relieve myself of carrying this "sweet burden" and to prepare for my recovery after giving birth. So I was under the care of a physiotherapist until the delivery, and a few days after that, I returned to the office. Thanks to the most simple exercises, such as learning and practicing transverse abdominal contraction or exercising the pelvic floor muscles, and wrapping the scar and abdomen with special teats, my pain relieved twice as fast as during the first birth (although many people told me the second emperor is more difficult), while back pain has not arisen until today. Therefore, if you only have such an opportunity, remember that it is extremely worth seeing a physiotherapist at least once after giving birth. He will examine you and also recommend and show you safe, simple exercises and massages to perform at home so that the pain will pass faster and your cut abdominal tissues, abdominal muscles, fascia, pelvis and body posture get back into shape faster.

 

 

4. Daily scar care after caesarean section

I remember looking forward to removing the stitches (they were pulling terribly) and starting caring for the scar. So I was looking for two preparations - one for the scar and the other for stretch marks (unfortunately I didn't miss it). I consulted my friends and they all recommended Bio-Oil as a preparation for both scar and stretch marks care. I will not pretend - I do not like to put anything on myself, even using a face cream is a necessity for me, not a pleasure. That is why I was very happy that with one oil and rubbing in I will deal with two topics. The recommendation of one of my friends sounded particularly promising here that Bio-Oil reduced her abdominal stretch marks so wonderfully that it is hard to notice them with the naked eye today, but I had one condition: lubrication twice a day for several weeks. I was afraid that the oil used every morning would grease my clothes, but completely unnecessarily, because after massaging and completely absorbing such a problem does not occur. What's more, when a thin layer of oil is left on my hands after the massage, I also rub it into the cheekbones for discoloration that appeared during pregnancy.

 

5. Scar massage

On my own, apart from the scar on the skin, I also take care of the scars under the skin, which, although invisible, also or primarily require our attention. So every evening I perform the so-called scar mobilization - massage of the superficial and deeper abdominal tissues, including the very important muscle fascia, which was taught to me by my physiotherapist. I also use Bio-Oil for massage, which works great for this purpose, and thus when I perform a massage, I already have the evening patting the oil off my head.

 

6. Everyday functioning

After giving birth, I tried to take care of my movements. To get up, I always lie on my side, lean on my hand, and then get up. Thanks to this, I do not overstrain, but protect the rectus muscle of the abdomen, preventing it from diverging. Over time, I added to such standing up a conscious contraction of the transverse abdominal muscle to train the good habit again. The position during feeding is also very important - I always feed comfortably using a feeding pillow, thanks to which I do not slouch and squash my insides, which do not immediately return to their place after giving birth.

 

I have been using Bio-Oil for 6 weeks. What changes have I noticed?

The first reaction to the oil was the discoloration of my cheeks, which became so bleached that I no longer use concealer. The next stretch marks started to change - they do not react to the oil in full, but as if in fragments - many of these tiny fragments are almost completely bright, making the whole changes less visible. The caesarean section scar also reacts unevenly - although it is still pink, many parts of it are now almost completely bright. And that's only 6 weeks of use. I can't wait for the effect of the oil in a dozen or so weeks. I know that neither the scar nor the stretch marks will disappear completely, but it looks set to be discreet.

 

Seeing how it deals with stretch marks, I will gladly use it also when I burn again, putting the dough in the oven or ironing, as well as scratching or hurting more. The manufacturer also recommends it as effective and safe for scars for children who have turned 2.

 

 

The composition of the oil

Why does Bio-Oil work? The PurCellin Oil component provides him with this light, non-greasy texture, while rosemary, calendula, lavender, thyme, and vitamins A and E prevent visible scars.

 

If we have known each other for a long time, you know that I value everything that is natural. It's no secret that this oil also contains paraffin, which I am not a fan of, because it is a mineral oil, so when Bio-Oil came to me with a proposal to organize a competition for you, I asked the manufacturer about it.

 

The manufacturer assured me that it is a pharmaceutical paraffin that accelerates the absorption of the ingredients contained in the oil. I also got acquainted with test results carried out by the proDERM Institute in Hamburg, Germany, specializing in applied dermatological research, saying that "a statistically significant result was seen in 66% of participants after only 2 weeks (15. day). After 8 weeks (57. Day), 92% of the participants showed improvement, with a range almost three times greater than the improvement seen after 2 weeks. Continuous improvement of POSAS was evident throughout the duration of the study".

 

Therefore, despite the paraffin in the composition and on the basis of personal recommendations as to the effect of the oil on scars - I decided to use it, especially taking into account the preparations used after the first pregnancy, which did not provide the promised effect of lightening stretch marks.

 

I will add that the oil is vegan, it has not been tested on animals and does not contain preservatives.

 

 

CONTEST

And today I have a competition for you thanks to which i You will be able to test the effects of Bio-Oil and see the first results after just 2 weeks of regular use. All you have to do is write wishes on the 5th birthday of Bio-Oil in Poland on my Facebook.

 

However, if you have an account on Instagram, I have an additional offer for you - just that you'll like the profile @biooilpl on Instagram and send to them message with the slogan: "Agnieszka Kudela" and your name, surname and shipping address to receive a sample oil along with a brochure. You can submit your application until October 15, 2017, but remember - their number is limited, so first come first served.

 

You can find out more about the oil on Facebook Bio-Oil profile.

 

If I had to say which emperor is easier, I would definitely say the other. I suspect, however, that both were similar, and behind everything is proper care for myself, professional support that I provided and care.

 

Therefore, if you come or have had a cesarean section, remember that scar after caesarean section should be a very important part of caring for yourself.

 

Let your scar remind you of how important you are and what huge role you played and play every day. Take care of her and everything she covers. I know perfectly well how easy it is to forget about yourself when a child is born. Remember that you are very important, and if it wasn't for you, it wouldn't be His. Every day you should find at least some time for self-therapy of your scar, to increase the comfort of your life, for yourself and for those who love you.