C-section with an already saggy stomach

[Becca94]

Help!

I imagine there will be a number of negative comment, so I’m certainly ready for it.

My and the husband have recently found out im pregnant. It wasn’t planned but also wasn’t prevented - we’ve been trying but not trying for 7 years and it’s just never happen - but hey ho! Now it has. I’m certainly not at my ideal weight or fitness but I’m continue to generally work on that throughout this pregnancy.

I’m not in the best shape, over weight and sporting an extremely saggy tummy since I had my little girl 8 years ago by c-section,

My question is - I have already been told I need to have a C-section (elective) this time round. My concern in the after care of a c section wound with an existing overhang. I’m concerned about infection, splitting and just all around difficulty in maintaining the wound post section and the sewing me back up.

Could anyone help? Will they remove some of the excess skin if asked? Will they even be able to sew me back up?!

Thanks in advance!

First of all crongratulations and secondly please don’t worry!

I had an emergency csection with quite a big belly and overhang and it was fine. The hospital put this vacuum sealed bandage on my wound, it stays on for a week and has a battery and everything. It was a bit weird but it stops air getting at it and it seriously sped up the healing, I couldn’t believe how good the wound looked after a week.

I followed the midwives instructions and didn’t put ANYTHING on it, no creams, no plasters or bandages, nothing. Just regularly cleaned it with salt water and made sure to keep it dry (which wasn’t easy as I gave birth during the summer and it was roasting). Use a hairdryer on cool setting to help with this.

I did lose feeling on part of my tummy which never really came back but it’s fine. My scar healed really well and is barely visible.

Unfortunately they won’t remove any skin or do a tummy tuck while they do it if only eh!

Good luck with it all x

If we're talking an NHS section, then no, no skin will be removed and they'll just sew you up like last time. I've had two sections on a less than perfect stomach and it was fine, it never entered my head it wouldn't heal. They'll focus on making sure you and your baby are safe so just don't expect to look like a supermodel and all will be well!

Congratulations. I had a overhang when I had my first c section. Unfortunately due to this I had a nasty infection a few days after the csection however, I had done no research and received little info on wound care. However, I then had a 2nd c section 2 years later with the same overhang but this time I was better prepared and I did not get an Infection this time. Keeping it dry was the main issue and the main reason for Infection. My lovely MW told me to put a sanitary towel there to soak up excess moisture. Drying with a hair dryer (cool setting). Once it had healed it would get sore (still does) but I use medicated talcum powder and it works amazing well. Sudocream also. Although I wouldn't recommend putting anything on it until it is fully healed.
Also, the way they stitch you up can also co tribute to the risk of infection. First time I had normal stitches but because of my infection and overhang, in the 2nd one they used something else as it was proven to reduce infection. Can't remember the name of it but it had to removed 5 days after, it had a small ball at either end.
Hope that helps in some way.