Post C-Section queries

[HP07]

I had a Caesarean 6 weeks ago and my incision is now finally almost healed. Unfortunately I have an overhang over the wound which mean it is quite sweaty and smelly because of the hot weather and the skin crease. I am quite slim (aroun 55kg pre baby) so I was really surprised at how much of an overhang is there. This is my second baby, first one was born naturally and I lost the baby weight really quickly post partum. Should I just accept that I’m going to have an awful looking stomach forever now with what I would term as a massive shelf or do you think there is still swelling there etc that might go down? I am also hating the numb feeling from my belly button to my incision. I can scratch there and not feel any pain, I hate it. I feel like it’s not part of my body. Will this improve?
I am still feeling a bit down about the fact I had to have a c-section this time. I know it was in the best interest of my baby but I feel like last time I was much happier with the way the labour went and the feeling of pushing my baby out and the achievement of birthing him naturally was amazing. I feel like I missed out massively this time and it’s not like you can get a do over. How do I come to terms with this or will it just get better in time?
Any insights anyone? Thanks

The overhang could still Be lots of swelling mine took months to come
Down. Regards to your c section and the circumstances surrounding it, I read somewhere (possibly on here) that you can ask to speak to your midwife about what happened at your birth maybe that could help you come to terms with having to have a section? I’m not sure how you would go about it though my guess would be to contact your community midwife first?

Hi

I have overhand and same issue. Make sure you try and shower each day ( which can be easier said than done some days so wet flannel if needs be. ) then dry carefully - pat. Then hairdryer on cool setting not too close for min or so so really dry.

I then fold pantyliber in half and slip in between overhang. It soaks up and draws away any sweat xxxx

The overhang does get better. The numbness does too - I had a huge area I couldn’t feel but 2 years later it’s back to normal pretty much.

With my first emcs I had numbness for about 9 months. Latest elcs I’ve had no numbness so can definitely vary. Overhang seems to also vary infortunately but 6 weeks is still very early days. By about 3 months post section you’ll get a better idea of what the overhang will be like. I’ve been left with one and reaching pre-pregnancy weight didn’t get rid of it.

In terms of coming to terms with not having a vaginal birth, I found reading the threads on the horrific injuries and experiences some women face helped. That probably sounds terrible, but it just reminded me that there’s rarely a “Disney” version of labour/birth and I probably had an unrealistic idea of how it would go. I probably didn’t come to terms with missing out on a natural birth until my second section.

Congratulations on your new baby!

Definitely time for the swelling to go down. With all 3 sections it took 6 months. Now just have a slight bulge along the line.

Thank you for all your comments and advice. It’s good to know that the overhang and numbness can still improve further. I know I am lucky not to have had a traumatic birth and I’m glad that my baby arrived happy and healthy, it’s just sadness that I didn’t achieve a vaginal delivery this time round. Unfortunately I didn’t even get close as baby was 4 weeks prem and struggled with the early labour and had decelerations with each contraction so the decision was made very early on (1cm dilated) to go to theatre. I understand all the circumstances surrounding the birth it’s just a feeling of disappointment that won’t stop niggling.
I am washing the wound carefully everyday. I just think the hot weather is not helping.
Thanks. Hopefully things will start to improve.

My numbness gradually wore away, but almost 18 months before it was gone, and even now 3yrs (after second section) there are a couple of very tiny patches on my scar that are numb. Overhang does improve, but it doesn’t completely go.
Congratulations on your baby