C-section scar: puckering and puffiness!

[Lunarlyte]

My gorgeous second daughter (and second child) was born by ELCS 4 weeks ago. I'm gratefully recovering well from the surgery, but have a couple of minor issues with my scar. I'd appreciate some advice, please!

All of the scabs have dried up and the last or came away this evening. I've noticed that, on the very right-hand side of the scar, I have a little bit of puckered skin. It almost looks like it's been tucked into the scarline. It's not massive, but it is a deviation from an otherwise flat scar. Any ideas what I can do to minimise it's appearance?

Also, I still have swelling above the scar. It's gone down a lot since baby was born, but it still looks puffy above and feels quite hard to touch. I think it looks like I'm wearing tight pants, as I've got a little bit that juts out above the scar; kind of like the elastic is too tight. Again, it's most pronounced on the right-hand side (although it isn't reserved to the bit that is puckered, so I don't think they are connected).

It took longer than usual for my blood to clot and I have heard one midwife say in passing that it could be a haematoma. I'm wondering though, whether this puffiness will remain?

BTW, I'm not overweight and am pretty trim (though not as trim yet a Pre-pg, obviously!)

I'll obviously ask these qeustions at my 6-week check. I'm really pleased with my recovery overall, but did just want to ask about these couple of issues :)

Thanks in advance!

Hiya, I would give it a few more weeks to settle down before you try to do nothing shout it. I had a puckering too but it has healed nicely now with none of it left now. And it took weeks for me to feel like the skin had healed and for it to not feel tender and puffy.

Of course, mention it at your check, but sounds like its healing nicely.

Oh and congratulations!!

Thanks, that's really helpful, lizandlulu xx

It sounds like you are healing really well.

IME - have had 2 sections- it takes a good while for things to feel normal again. It was about 8 months after my EMCS before I felt truly healed, it was probably 3-4 months after my ELCS.
You will keep improving, and your skin will gradually settle down as the tissues underneath knit themselves back together.

And thank-you, too Ali Very reassuring! x

Hey Lunar!!
Glad things are generally going well. Can't help with the scar puckering, but can share my experiences of swelling above the scar. I had exactly the kind of swelling you're describing above my colposuspension incision (which for those who don't know is very similar in length and position to CS). I'll be honest - it's taken ages to go down. I'm now just under 6 months post surgery and it's almost flattened out, although it's still a bit swollen on the right hand side. Towards the end of the day or if I get tired, it can still swell up a bit. All normal, and it just takes a long time for all the tissues to sort themselves out and settle down.
XXX

As ever, Cardamom, you are my Mumsnetter in shining armour. Thank-you my lovely, this is really good to know :) Hope that you're well and that all is good with you xxx

. Second (and we hope final!) lot of surgery planned for June 18th!!! YIKES!!!! XXX

Good luck for June - I'll be thinking of you xx