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Antenatal/postnatal depression

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Struggling with C section scar/swelling/overhang

9 replies

Firsttimemum000 · 26/12/2024 16:58

Hi all, two weeks ago I had to have a planned c-section birth. This was something I struggled with, but I was actually pleasantly surprised by the procedure and it was just magical to meet my little girl, regardless of the more surgical situation. Since the birth I am massively struggling with the appearance of the area. I gained minimal weight in pregnancy and my stomach has already shrunk back quite significantly. However above the scar it is puffy and there is a little shelf of a bit of puffy skin/stomach running the length of the scar that sticks out around an inch. Below, where my pubic hair/area is it is flatter and tighter. I really don’t mind about having a scar but am terrified that it is going to stay shelf like above the scar so my stomach will unable to be flat and will forever have this tiered affect. Because Im not that large and didn’t gain loads of weight I guess I wasn’t expecting this overhang/distended puffy area. All the midwives have said that it looks like a neat scar and it should shrink back but all the images I find online don’t show this much overhang or swelling and so I’m really not convinced. I’m a firmer anorexic with a complex relationship with my body anyway and so I’m finding this so distressing. I know it’s only two weeks but I guess I’m looking to hear others experience of the healing process. Did you have swelling like this that subsided and flattened and if so, what was the timeline? Did yours never flatten? Have you had any successful procedures to help? Many thanks in advance x

OP posts:
Carrotandparsnip · 26/12/2024 21:01

Oh gosh, I’m so sorry you’re feeling this way. It’s been 2 weeks, please give yourself kindness and care!

This might help with general ‘what’s normal’ C section uk, but I feel this may be more mental health than physical?

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/csectionuk?igsh=YXZnZ3FvZ2llam5x

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 26/12/2024 21:03

Congratulations on your new baby. I would say give it time. My C-section scar was still pretty swollen after two weeks but a few years later it's barely visible.

NotARealWookiie · 26/12/2024 21:04

Its early days, take it one day that time. It will continue to improve.

Wewishyouamerrychristmasanda · 26/12/2024 21:04

I am a slim person and was swollen for months. I am now 1 Year post op and my stomach is flat. two weeks post c section is nothing. Give your body time to heal.

shewillbefinestopworrying · 26/12/2024 21:05

I had 4 sections , no overhang at all, it’s very early days yet, honestly give yourself time x

Gowlett · 26/12/2024 21:07

The swelling will be there until healing is complete
Mine had a hard lump in one side, which went down as the weeks passed. My scar is livid though, not much I can do!

yipyipyop · 26/12/2024 21:09

I've had 2 c sections and the swelling/overhang does go down each day/week. I'm 11 weeks in this time and I noticed a huge difference after 6-8 weeks. You'll get there x

Mushroo · 26/12/2024 21:09

It goes don’t worry! I remember being about 4 months post partum and it was still so puffy and overhanging. My baby belly had gone and I had this really obvious overhang.

It’s now a year later and it’s pretty much completely gone and I can barely see the scar. I did nothing at all other than scar massage in the early days. Time is the best healer.

My only issue now is the scar sometimes gets itchy if I wear skinny jeans 🤷‍♀️

Germanjio · 26/12/2024 21:16

2 CSs here (most recent 18 months ago) and I have no overhang. It's not inevitable at all! Wait for it to heal and you'll be dandy.

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