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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask about your Cesarean scar(s) and stomach?

43 replies

Spice17 · 09/12/2012 21:14

Had an EMCS 8 weeks ago and am not happy with the state of my scar/stomach

Have an unsightly overhang that covers the scar it meaning it gets hot, sore and itchy and I constantly feel it's infected - or will become infected. It still looks very red and raised in places.

Can anyone tell me from personal experience when it will get better? I bathe it twice a day with salt water but I feel that if I didn't it would be infected in a day.

Also, will the overhang go down? It makes my stomach look awful - like one of those pouches above my fanjo Blush and no amount of breathing in would make it look any better.

In the grand scheme of things it's not the end of the world and I have a beautiful daughter who is the love of my life but I don't want to have this forever.

Feel like I can never go swimming again as the 'pouch' is very visable. At least when it was just fat I could try to lose it! :)

OP posts:
Ilovemytwins · 09/12/2012 21:22

Hi,
Congratulations on ur new baby! I had a cs in February with my twins, and yes the overhang will go down! My scar was sore for ages after, and red/ itchy. Washing everyday is the right way to go, but I also found talcum powder worked brill at keeping it dry which helped it heal!
It does get better, hope this helps.
Xx

Beamur · 09/12/2012 21:27

8 weeks is still very early. Give yourself a bit more time to heal.
In the event that a couple of months down the line it is still a problem, go back to your GP. Mine is fine, but a friend of mine had more of an overhang and was offered surgery to reduce it. She decided against it, but since has lost a lot of weight and the overhang reduced too.
It probably won't notice in a swimming costume - plus if you go to a session likely to be used by Mums and babies, you won't be alone and no-one will judge you on it either.

Original poster
Spice17 · 09/12/2012 21:30

Ah thanks, hadn't thought about talc, will see if I have any probably from my Nan at Christmas at some point

The itching is driving me mad, desperate to have a good scratch but would bloody hurt and probaby get infected. It's quite numb above the scar too and that's just weird! Also, there was one point where my dissolvable stitches were hanging out of the scar, thankfully they fell out eventually - twas lovely!

Congratulations to you too, DH is a twin, so there was a chance I could have had them, you must REALLY have your hands full :)

OP posts:
abigboydidit · 09/12/2012 21:30

I became pregnant again just before DS turned 1 but have to confess that despite getting back to a size 8 & having a flattish tummy, I never lost the pouch overhang which I hated. Looked like I was wearing a pair of knickers which were several sizes too small if I wore a fitted dress Xmas Blush

unclehairysgirlfriend · 09/12/2012 21:30

I've had 2 cs and the wound took ages to heal. Had a lot of weeping and pus both times and found daily baths with tea tree oil in helped loads. Just try and keep it as dry as you can. Can't help on the overhang I'm afraid - I had one before (fatty!)Xmas Blush and still have one now! Also still have a lot of numbess around the scar and DD is almost 2.
Congrats on your DD btw.

Beamur · 09/12/2012 21:31

My MW was quite keen on using lavender oil on the scar too - apparently that's quite a good antiseptic.

Original poster
Spice17 · 09/12/2012 21:32

Thanks Beamur - I can imagine why your friend didn't go with surgery. I always thought I'd want a tummy tuck but after this - never!

OP posts:
FutureNannyOgg · 09/12/2012 21:34

Give it time. You'll lose a bit more baby weight, the skin will firm up a bit, your abs will tone up, it will get better, 8 weeks is nothing.
You can help it along when you are ready to exercise by doing pilates for lower abs. Once you are cleared by the Dr for exercise a good gentle yoga exercise is to lie on your back, knees bent, feet hip width apart by your buttocks. Inhale and tilt your pelvis, pulling your navel to the floor, exhale and release. Do it and few times and couple of times a day. Deep breathing into your low belly is a milder introduction if you are still sore.
I can't promise you will get your pre baby belly back, but you will see an improvement.

Beamur · 09/12/2012 21:34

She's a very practical woman and decided with 2 young kids on her hands she didn't need the hassle of the recovery time or the risks associated with surgery, plus she is not remotely vain and decided it wasn't that big a deal! Grin

3b1g · 09/12/2012 21:34

I was told by my midwife to try to let the area 'air' sometimes, e.g. by lying on your back. I also had areas of numbness and pieces of stitch that worked their way to the surface weeks later. The scar seemed unsightly to me and I am still a little self-conscious about it, but have learned to live with it.

3b1g · 09/12/2012 21:36

Also Aloe Vera gel helped cool the scar area down.

CabbageLeaves · 09/12/2012 21:36

I had the overhang but have a flat tum and scar is now invisible. 8 was is early days

Ilovemytwins · 09/12/2012 21:36

Ha ha! Yes I have my hands full!!! Talc is brill it really stopped itching etc. just sprinkle on and leave it don't rub it in! :)

My belly is still numb now, and still slightly sore so I am thinking it just stays like that.

Xx

CabbageLeaves · 09/12/2012 21:36

Weeks...

Pourquoimoi · 09/12/2012 21:37

I'd agree with talc being useful, in fact you should look out for daktarin talc which you'll have to ask a pharmacist for but can be used to prevent fungal infection which is easy to get when you have the overhang.

Good luck.

scarletforyaOfficialXmasGRINCH · 09/12/2012 21:40

Congratulations and don't panic

I had a cs 5 months ago and the overhang is almost gone thankfully, abdomen is almost flat again. (weightwatchers)

I found the best thing for the scar tea tree oil, neat. Slap it on.

RueDeWakening · 09/12/2012 21:40

My hv recommended using a hairdryer to dry it with after showers/bathing it to make sure it's completely dry before being covered - I found it really helped. Also I used baby wipes to clean it with a few times a day when I could, seemed to help.

ZhenThereWereTwo · 09/12/2012 21:48

Hi, 8 weeks is early days you have had major abdominal surgery and your body is still healing itself. Remember it is not just the scar outside but all the tissues and muscles inside that must knit back together.

With both my EMCS's it has taken at least 3 months for the swelling and numbness to go. Also your muscles in your abdomen spread apart to accommodate your growing baby when pregnant and can take longer to come back together after a C section.

Pilates type exercise can be good for strengthening those core muscles, but try not to do to much too soon and stop if you feel pain. I found salt in my bath plus tea tree and lavender oil helped with the healing of the external scar.

lovelyredwine · 09/12/2012 21:48

I'd forgotten about the itching and numbness. My dd is nearly 2 and the numbness as basically gone now- I don't notice it anymore (hence why I had forgotten about it!). It gets better as every month passes.

KatoPotatoHoHo · 09/12/2012 21:48

Give it some 'air time' when you can, and pat dry with cotton pants. Talc is great and canesten cream if it gets red and pongy!

Classy me!

AlexReidsLonelyThisChristmas · 09/12/2012 21:48

After a bath or shower I used to dry mine using the cool setting on my hair dryer, it got it properly dry without me having to rub at it with a towel.
My aunt prepared a mix of lavender and tea tree for me to apply to the area which I do believe helped.

Mine was numb for ages and unfortunately I still have a small patch or numbness nearly 18 months later.

I think you're very newly post natal and most people still have a bit of an overhang regardless of delivery method at this point. The exercises mentioned above will help.

Rudolphstolemycarrots · 09/12/2012 21:49

mine as itchy and tender. The string that should have disintegrated didn't. String had to be pulled out and then scar disinfected which helped masses. It was itchy for a year or two though annoyingly.

Catrin · 09/12/2012 21:51

Had a cs 7 (sob!) years ago... my overhang lasted for ages, mostly because I made no effort to lose the weight. Once I did, it got a lot better, though still vaguely pouchy. Still numb from my belly button down. Neither thing bothers me - slight pouch was well worth the outcome.

christmaspudisnogood · 09/12/2012 21:54

Congratulations on your new arrival :)

maybe this might help....i tore up strips of muslin cloths and dipped them in a tea tree oil/water solution, wrung them out thoroughly then wore them rolled up over my scar when i knew i would be too busy to lie down/let it air properly...
also meant i was able to see if there was any pus/blood and could try to treat accordingly.. (mind you this was after my 3rd section!)
My stomach is still numb 1 1/2 years later but think that arose from 1st section 9 years ago (they made a bit of a mess :(
try and look after yourself and get some vitamins/water into you as well.

Lovecat · 09/12/2012 21:58

I found that the saline spray you get for contact lenses was brilliant at helping the scar to heal and a very effective way of applying it. My scar is fairly neat but I do have an overhang even after nearly 8 years and losing all the baby weight - as another poster said, it looks like I'm wearing too small/tight pants beneath my clothes. Hate it Sad Tried abdominal exercises but either can't have done them right or not for long enough as it made no appreciable difference.

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