C section recovery

[Mumofgirls199]

Hi there I am looking for some advice/reassurance. I had my c section 6 weeks ago on Tuesday. I got an infection about 3 weeks ago had antibiotics and it cleared but now the other end of my scar has a small opening. Been seen today by doctor today and they don't think it's infected again but there might be a stitch that needs to work it way out hence the hole opening up.
I feel so down about my recovery, I still feel slightly swollen and I'm so squimish when someone goes near my scar. Obviously the opening is now sore to touch too. I thought by 6 weeks I'd be physically pretty much recovered but I still feel quite far away from normality. Can anyone recommend anything I could be doing or taking to help speed the recovery and help me feel a little more like myself again. Feel like I'm just constantly waiting for something to go wrong with the scar.
Thanks in advance.

Poor you!
Don’t put anything on it until it’s closed up, unless doctor approved. I had a C sec, it was bad enough without an infection on top.
If you drink alcohol or eat sweet things/sugar try not to as it can slow the healing process. Try some vitamin E capsules and lots of fresh veggies & smoothies. They are so sore & in an awkward place! Oh & don’t have a bath! x

@Sadiee88 that's great thank you. Not been having any alcohol but probably overdid it with the sweet stuff over Xmas and generally feeling a bit sorry for myself.

I was too squeamish to go near mine

My husband would check it and dry it for me after I showered each day and I made sure I bought some c section pants so nothing rubbed on it

I had exactly the same issue with mine 2.5 years ago. EMCS and two weeks later the scar became infected. A few weeks later, my scar was open about half a cm on one side - the doctor said it wasnt infected and it would close by itself eventually. The advice was to keep it clean but not put anything on it. It eventually closed up by itself (although it did take 3 months) and I now have a very neat scar. Hang in there, you will recover, but I totally understand how you feel, it was rotten.

@NemophilistRebel@MyBabyBoyBlue
Thank you so much this is really reassuring I felt like I was the only person to feel this way. Will try and keep positive.

It’s a major op, they cut through muscle & layers of tissue. My husband asked the doc how many stitches he put in (I’m really squeamish and could’ve killed him for asking!) the doc looked at him like he was crazy and said erm hundreds!

Once mine had healed properly I used Mama Mio products on my tum and a C section band over my tum and hips to help suck it all in/flatten it. Found the massage helped the texture of the surrounding skin to get back to normal. Let fresh air get to the area if you can, wear skirts even if only around the house.
It’s all puckered up and a bit gross looking the first few months. It will look better, it just takes time.
I think that six week timeline is the time it takes for the tissues to knit together and you get the ok to drive.

@Sadiee88 did you find the c section band helped? Would it be worthwhile starting to wear one 6 weeks after a section though?

@Mumofgirls199I did like it. I didn’t use it for that long. It’s very uncomfortable & you can see it under clothes - just wore it in the house.
It holds in your tummy loads. I liked the support of my tummy not wobbling about. 🤢
I waited six weeks, they can rub so have to be properly healed up.
I used it again when I had back pain and it helped then too.

Where do you get the c section belt from?

I also seen compression leggings that seraphine sell which I wish I had tried with last c section looking at the reviews

Amazon - c section recovery belt £20 ... ish x

I had a c section 3 weeks ago and I think I’ve overdone it with getting up and down to the changing mat on the lounge floor. Got a dull ache in my incision now when I move. Agh!

I just can’t wait for the full 6 weeks to be over.. I feel like I’ll be very slightly less squeamish then :(

I had my EMCS six weeks ago too - my issue is that I have a thick solid ridge along the scar. I don't know if it's fluid and will drain away or whether this is just my weird stomach now! My scar is also tender and a bit stingy - really thought I'd be normal and pain-free by now.

@SexlessBoulderBelly when I burst some stitches you could see an opening in my scar then it became infected it was red and really sore to touch. I totally over did it because I felt alot better it set me back so far it was a nightmare. I am feeling alot more human now that's me just past 6 weeks.
@RedPandaFluff it's nice to speak to someone who's on the same boat. Hopefully we are back to ourselves in the next few weeks! X

Ah I can’t see any openings, just the stitches which makes me feel abit squeamish too! I’m such a wuss.

Hm, I need to keep reminding myself that even though I feel a lot better I’m not healed yet and still need to take it easy!

I had this, not with y C-section scar but with another large scar in the same general area. It took several weeks for the 'opening' in the scar to close and then I had a small bit right at the very end that was leaking for quite a time after - months - but did eventually heal without further medication. I just kept it clean, I didn't need a dressing on it after a while.