Five weeks in from c section - incision still red

[Springbaby2023]

I’m five weeks pp today and my c section incision has become red and inflamed since Sunday. I’ve had it checked and it’s not infected, although keeping a careful eye and making sure I keep it clean and dry.

I had a re-opening after two weeks which is almost but not quite healed.

Physically I feel absolutely fine, no pain or no weakness, the incision just obviously isn’t healing well (no doubt because I am fat so have an overhang!)

Just wondering what I should and shouldn’t be doing. I’ve started driving again as feel fine but now wondering if I shouldn’t be? I have been trying to rest but also have a three year old and we drive each other mad stuck in the house so I feel like I have to get him out and about (rest more when he’s in nursery).

Have also been occasionally carrying baby in the sling but now wondering if I should have avoided this too.

Will resting more and not driving really make much difference at this stage?

Any other tips other than keeping it clean and lifting the overhang to let it air dry?

It’s really starting to get me down, I just want it to heal. I spent the newborn period with my first in lockdown and it feels like to properly get better I almost need to do the same again!

Keep it clean and dry, dry under the overhang with a cool hairdryer after showering. You can also put a sanitary towel (unscented) against the wound to keep it dry / absorb moisture if it's warm / sweaty.

Mine was red for quite a while.

Carry on with driving, carrier etc if you are feeling ok.

I am not a medic!

@cocksstrideintheevening thank you, I did the sanitary towel trick when it reopened so have been doing that again today, hopefully will help.

Glad you seem to think it’s ok to drive etc even though I note you’re no medic 😆 It seems silly not to when I feel fine but also don’t want to make things worse.

I wouldn’t use a hairdryer if it’s opened at any point – just blows germs straight at the wound. Pat dry after showering, and fold a kitchen towel into it – the overhang keeps it in place. I found this more comfortable than a sanitary towel. Sling should be fine, especially if no pain or weakness. Get it checked at your six-week review: mine was still red but the reassurance from the GP that all was well was a great psychological boost! She also plucked out a couple of stray stitches and ingrown hairs from the hospital shave which were causing weepiness along the scar, and gave me an antibiotic cream. But really, give it time. Redness is normal for a while.

@bussteward thanks that’s reassuring, I’ll try kitchen roll. I think my six week check is going to be an eight week check so hopefully by then all will be well! It’s so hard to rest with a toddler in tow as well.