Elastoplast’s expert has answered your questions about healing after C-sections

[YanaMumsnet]

Despite the rate of caesarean births doubling in the past 15 years, 1 in 5 women still report that they don’t feel comfortable talking about them. A new study, commissioned by healing expert Elastoplast, uncovers the challenges women face and aims to drive a positive conversation about C-sections to help mothers heal better and feel better. While some women are able to embrace their C-section scar, many new mums might have concerns about how their body will heal, as well as the emotional impact this may have. With this in mind, Elastoplast have invited Dr Anne Henderson to answer your questions about C-sections.

Here’s some more information on Dr Anne Henderson: “Dr Anne Henderson is a highly experienced Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, having spent 17 years as a senior consultant at a major acute NHS Trust, following an undergraduate degree from Cambridge University and postgraduate medical training in the South East. She has worked as a consultant within the NHS as well as private sectors providing truly holistic care while leading the way when it comes to caring, innovative, whole-woman focused practice.”

Here’s what Elastoplast has to say: “We want women to heal better in order to feel better, and so have developed Scar Reducer patches, available in XL size suitable for caesarean scars – a simple and safe solution to help heal new and old scars. Knowing that they are equipped with an effective way of treating their scar, we hope women feel more confident in their own skin."

Perhaps you’d like to know the ins and outs of the healing process? Or maybe you have questions about how you can boost your new body confidence after a C-section? Post your question on the thread below and you’ll be entered into a prize draw where one lucky MNer will win a £150 voucher for a store of their choice (from a list).

We’ll be selecting questions for Dr Anne to answer during a one-hour session that’s taking place on this thread on 21st July.

We also have 5 x Elastoplast Scar Reducer XL Patches to give away to 5 Mumsnetters* who post their questions on the thread below. If you would like to be in with a chance of winning, please write “I’d like to win a plaster” alongside your question for Dr Anne* and you’ll be entered into the prize draw.

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

*The study was conducted by OnePoll between 21st-30th January 2020 and polled 1000 women who've had a C-section birth, commissioned by Elastoplast. Participants were recruited online and were incentivised to participate. According to this research, 80% of women agree seeing their scar in the mirror causes them negative feelings, from embarrassment and failure to sadness. Over a third (35%) admitted they felt a dip in self-esteem post-surgery, and 40% felt pressure from social media to bounce back in an unrealistic time frame.
**Elastoplast Scar Reducer patches can be found from Boots.com and other retailers across the UK. For further information on the full Elastoplast range, please visit www.elastoplast.co.uk .

I am 12 years down the line after my c section and I still don't have complete feeling back in the skin above and below - is this usual?. The scar is not too bad although any tips to make it fade completely would be great

I will be having my second section in a couple of months. My scar from my first is hardly noticeable. Will the second use the same incision site?

Would love to win a plaster for this time round.

The obstetrician did a fabulous job sewing me up - a really flat neat piece of needlework! - and it healed without any problems at the time. Nearly seven years on though, and it does not seem to have faded at all - if anything it often looks redder and more noticeable than it did in the first year. I don’t like looking at it/anyone else seeing it.

Is there anything one can do at this stage? Would these plasters work?

I’d like to know if there is evidence in the effectiveness of compression bands etc after c-sections?

I’d like to win a plaster :)

Do these work on keloid scars? I'd like to win a plaster if they do! And as a keloid scar (with the overhang and fast growing public hair) will the itching ever go away?

4-6 weeks after c-section my skin because so tingly and sensitive against my jeans, despite the scar healing very well. Was this nerve endings?

I’d like to win a plaster

Is there anyway of making scars less saggy?

Where my scar is it's a little bit bumpy raised (where stitches have pulled skin together a bit too tight I think)

I’d really like to win a plaster please.

I have had two c sections, the last 3 weeks ago. My first section left me with a numb patch and now I’m really numb from the second. Is there anything I can do to prevent this numbness getting worse after the second operation or is it just luck of the draw? Thanks

My scar is keloid, how can I reduce it?

I had a c section 18 months ago and still have numb patches near it. Will that ever change?

I had a c section 18 months ago and still have numb patches near it. Will that ever change?

I am due to get an Elective c-section next month - I was wondering how best to look after my scar after the op to avoid overhang and getting a nice flat scar? Or is this just Dependant on how your body is and unavoidable?

I’d like to win a plaster :)

I am going to have my second cs in a couple of months, following emergency cs 12yrs ago. I am concerned about wound infection as I have a bit of an overhang from the weight gain in first pregnancy and I still have scar even after so many years. I am worried that the incision will be moist and more prone to infection due to overhang. What can I do (other than good hygiene obviously) to reduce the risk of infection? Is there anything I could ask my consultant to do at time of operation, such as a higher incision. Or a special dressing instead of the usual op-site which I know they now get us to remove on day one?

I’d like to win a plaster too please!

I have had a 3 surgeries for infertility exploratory and have a laparoscopy scar just below my naval, and laparotomy for a further surgery, I know they have healed and look quite 'neat' for a scar, but what happens to the tissue beneath the scar, it there scar tissue there too ?

What are the factors at work that dictate levels of scarring? Age, surgeons skill, weight, size of incision, infection?

@RockCrushesLizard Thanks for your post. Elastoplast wanted to reach out:

Hey RockCrushesLizard,

Like you, for many women, a C-section scar is a badge of honour, and rightly so! There’s nothing wrong with wearing your life experiences on your skin. However, it goes without saying that every woman and their body is different and as a result, we all heal differently. Whilst mums are often proud of their scars, sometimes they can cause discomfort during the healing process and that’s where our Scar Reducer Patches come in - having painful scars whilst healing doesn’t make being a new mum any easier. We want to help women get back on their feet as quickly as they want, so they can enjoy life with their new baby with less discomfort.

We recently conducted some research and were really happy to hear that over half (58%) of new mums said their body confidence was unaffected or improved after their C-section surgery. Sadly we also found that almost 40% of new mums didn’t feel like they had the full picture when it came to recovery from the surgery, and most of those mums had uncertainties about the healing process. We want to help throw light on some of the less-discussed issues some women experience after having a c-section, so that mums can make the most of their new parenting experience, scars and all!

Our patches certainly aren’t about hiding a part of your life journey and we’re really disappointed that you got that impression from the post - we’ll take this feedback on board for future campaigns.

Rosie @ Elastoplast UK

@Hitchingmyskirt

I’ve been really fortunate to have two good c-section experiences with an easy recovery both times, however I have the tell tale belly overhang over the scar. I could do with losing a little weight (shouldn’t pretend I don’t 😂) but will I ever be able to get a flat tummy again or should I accept there will always be a small pouch?

I've had 3 C sections. The first was an emergency and the scar was not the neatest because of the rush. No worries because we both survived! When I had the second the surgeon "tidied it up". After the third was a while before I had energy to reassess my body but thought that the "overhang" was due to excess weight or now having a "mum's" body. I'm quite active and not overweight but never returned to previous shape. Only years later did I find out that the cause of my "overhang" was my C sections.

Those who had sections a while ago and have an overhang over the scar, do you take any special precautions to keep the area clean on a daily basis?

I had one long running stitch through my wound which did heal on the outside very quickly, but - what happens to your under layers of skin and muscle, I hate the size of my scar and wish these plasters had been available when I had my delivery.

I have never had a C section, but, my sister is due in 4 weeks and she has been told it is highly likely that a C section would be needed due to the size of the baby, how do they sew you up nowadays, staples ? stitches ?? what heals better and yes I'd like to win a plaster for her

Hi everyone, thank you for all of your wonderful questions. For those of you who are unfamiliar with me, my name is Dr Anne Henderson and I am a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist with over 17 years experience in my field. I'm excited to be partnering with Elastoplast to help answer some of your questions around caesareans and the healing process and hope you'll find my answers useful!

@BristolMum96

I'd like any general tips for healing well after a c section. My first birth was natural but next time will be a section and I have no idea what to expect. (Please enter me to win a plaster too!)

Hi BristolMum96,

Unfortunately, there is very limited information available in terms of national guidelines or on the internet about wound care – hopefully this is something that the RCOG and NICE will address. The limited advice available recommends:

• Removing the dressing 24 hours after the caesarean.

• Keep an eye on the wound for signs of infection (such as increasing pain, redness or discharge), separation or dehiscence.

• Wearing loose, comfortable clothes and cotton, rather than synthetic underwear.

• Plan ahead for removal of sutures or clips if necessary.

I would also recommend the following:

• Avoid the use of strong/perfumed/irritant washing products which can dry out the skin and cause localised irritation.

• There is no robust evidence regarding the ideal timing for removal/replacement of wound dressings, and although NICE guidance recommends 24 hours on Day 1 or up to Day 8, other research suggests 48-72 hours is equally acceptable.

• Keeping the abdominal skin in good condition, avoiding dryness and excessive weight gain is also advisable.

• Check the advice provided by your specific Trust as well.

• Expect the scar to be horizontal between 10-20 cm long just below the bikini line.

• The scar will probably be red and quite obvious at first but will gradually fade and should be hidden by pubic hair.

@KatnissK

Can these be used by breastfeeding mothers? I bought some wound coverings for my incision but when they arrived I read the instructions and they weren't suitable for nursing mums. I would also like to know tips to reduce my overhang (other than weight loss which I'm currently doing).

Hi KatnissK,

The Elastoplast Scar Reducer Patches do not contain any active medical ingredients and are therefore completely safe to use during breastfeeding. The ones that you have bought may have contained an active ingredient which could potentially be absorbed into the bloodstream and therefore cross into the breastmilk. Unfortunately, “overhang” is a recognised problem following any transverse type of skin incision and can occur even in women with a low/normal BMI. It is thought to be due to retraction of tissues underlying the skin during the healing process and is often unavoidable. In addition to using a covering such as Elastoplast Scar Reducer Patches which can be used as soon as the wound has completely healed, I would also recommend daily light massage over the scar with a bland, non-irritant skin oil as this may reduce the formation of scar tissue which can lead to retraction of the scar.

@ElfCakes

What's the best way to reduce a keloid scar? It's been over 2 and a half years and it's still raised and red and bumpy, and numb a tiny bit in the middle.

I'd like to win a plaster

Hi ElfCakes,

Unfortunately, the formation of keloid scarring can be quite unsightly and can also impact on quality of life, causing pain and itching. There is usually an underlying genetic risk of keloid formation and scars tend to form at any site of the body where the skin is disrupted. It may still be worth trying products such as the Elastoplast Scar Reducer Patches, as these have been shown to work on both new and old scars – if there is no change after eight weeks, however, I would recommend seeking further medical advice. Sometimes stronger topical agents can be used with medical advice.

@LatteLover12

Is there a difference in healing when you've had more than one caesarean?

My scar is good and neat after two c-sections but I'm a few weeks away from my third!

Any tips would be appreciated.

I'd like to win a plaster!

Hi LatteLover12,

It is certainly true that the risk of complications increase following each skin incision, including caesarean sections. There is a risk that the scar may become more unsightly from a cosmetic viewpoint, and due to the presence of scar tissue, there may also be delayed healing with a greater risk of infection, dehiscence and other complications. I would suggest discussing this with your surgeon as there are some tips and tricks, such as using different suture material, which can be used during the operation to improve the outcome. You may also wish to consider using a product such as Elastoplast Scar Reducer Patches to improve the final appearance of the scar.