Scar Care After A Caesarean Section
The scar care after a cesarean is not complicated. So you don’t have to be afraid. Regular wound care and thorough care are the keys to healthy healing.
Your skin forms new tissue to close the wound. Therefore, avoiding infection is an important part of scar care after a caesarean section . Otherwise you should always keep a watchful eye.
In this article, we have a few practical tips for caring for your post-caesarean wound. So you can support your body in its regeneration.
How the scar heals after a caesarean section
Freshly baked mothers who are leaving the operating room wonder what it looks like on their stomach. The place of the cut is initially covered.
In the first few weeks, careful attention must be paid to the seam. It may bleed or open.
The bandage must be changed regularly. This prevents infection.
After a few days, however, it is no longer necessary to bandage the wound all the time. Basically, every wound that gets fresh air heals faster.
The reason is that bandages trap moisture. This creates an environment in which microorganisms and pathogens grow and multiply.
Once the scar is created, it will usually be flat and colored pink. However, 5% of women develop a keloid scar after a caesarean section. That means the scar is raised.
This form of scar is characterized by an overgrowth of the scar tissue. It is more common in people with dark skin.
It is therefore advisable that women who have given birth by a caesarean section have regular check-ups after giving birth.
A medical professional will detect the formation of a keloid scar early on. Therefore, he can also take appropriate measures to prevent this.
Take care of your skin while you are pregnant
You can take care of your skin while you are pregnant. This will make it easier for you to care for the scar after a caesarean section and to prevent keloid scarring more easily.
Use a good moisturizer or lotion with aloe vera. This is how you preserve the elasticity of the skin. It can then stretch better, does not tear and therefore regenerates faster after a caesarean section.
Your diet can also be good for your skin. Pregnant women should eat plenty of protein and drink plenty of fluids.
Lots of fruits and vegetables will strengthen your immune system. They also prevent constipation.
Scar care after a caesarean section: Daily hygiene
Cleaning the area around the scar daily is critical to preventing infection. You can clean the area with warm water and mild soap. You perform very gentle movements and do not exert a lot of pressure.
What you should avoid, however, are shower gels with fragrances, peelings or antibacterial soaps. All of this dries out the skin.
After that, you should make sure that the scar stays dry. Damp skin can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Use clean cheesecloths to blot the area.
When washing and cleaning the wound, avoid quick movements that tense your abdominal muscles. Moving too quickly can slow the healing process.
Let fresh air on the scar
Bandaging a wound creates a moist microclimate. On the one hand, this slows down healing and, on the other hand, favors the potential growth of bacteria.
The longer you can let fresh air into the wound, the faster and easier the healing process will be.
However, when you have to go out, clothing can rub and irritate your skin. Therefore, use gauze towels that you fix with hypoallergenic tape.
Soft cotton is best to wear now
During the healing phase, you will feel most comfortable in soft, light clothing that is not tight-fitting. Cotton is very good. What you shouldn’t wear are thick fabrics and synthetic fibers, because these in turn bind the moisture, which favors the formation of bacteria.
However, if it’s cold, you can just wear a cotton top as the bottom layer and something else on top.
It is crucial that no substance that comes into contact with your skin triggers an allergic reaction or otherwise impairs wound healing.
Every woman is different and so every body heals differently. Caring for scars after a cesarean section also includes focusing on your body and your needs.
Your first point of contact should be your GP. He can give you general information about the puerperium and the regeneration of the body after the birth.
