Tell me how to care for my c-section incision!

[DoingJustFine]

(It's actually a hysterectomy incision, but they just re-used my c-section scar so it's exactly the same. Figured there'd be more posters with experience of c-sections who could help me!)

It's been a week since my operation so I removed the dressing today (terrifying) and washed and dried the scar. But now what? How can I ensure it heals well and doesn't get infected?

I have an "overhang" from the past sections and the scar is under that so I'm worried it'll be very dark and damp... 😆

Just keep it clean and dry. Wash as normal in the shower but don’t apply anything directly to the incision site. Allow it to dry before getting dressed. If you need to clean it, do so with cool sterile water. Any sign of infection and get onto your dr for antibiotics.

Heal well!

Fuck -- I just washed it with non-sterile water!

What are signs of infection? I guess - ooziness? 🤮

Should I spray it with something like this?

Antiseptic spray

You don’t need to wash it in sterile water.

Shower, make sure it’s bone dry before dressing. Don’t apply dressings, antiseptic creams, sprays or gels. In a few weeks you could use emollients or BioOil.

If it’s infected it will be red, warm to touch, oozy, maybe smelly. You may feel fluey and unwell.

Keep it clean and dry. Put a dressing on if it's catching on clothing etc.
Rest, don't lift anything heavy, have you been advised not to drive for a while?

I’m a nurse practitioner by the way, just to clarify my advice lol.

have you been advised not to drive for a while?

Yes 👍

Savlon spray worked for me on c section scar.

@Sidge -- thank you! I'll do that.

I envy your medical skill and experience. When you don't have any, it's terrifying to have to take care of stuff like this.

I used 0% shower gel too! Sanex do it

Had my second section in January. I used to lay on the bed, lift my tummy and use a little fan to dry underneath it a couple of times a day.

@Loobyloo68 Thanks - I do think the antiseptic spray would be good for peace of mind.

@Winterfellismyhome

That actually sounds really relaxing and calming!

@DoingJustFine Save your money, you don’t need antiseptic spray for a surgical wound. They can just make it too moist and a little boggy, meaning it’s ironically more prone to infection.

Skin actually looks after itself a lot - just keep it clean and dry 🙂

@Sidge thank you. The word "boggy" was enough to put me off buying it. 😂

Will the wound get germs from my clothes?

I sometimes used the non scented sanitary pads (or even better are the washable cotton ones - can get good ones on etsy) and put them in the scar area. Keeps it dry and acts as a bit of extra protection.
I did that after i was readmitted for a c section infection... was on iv a/b for 4 days!
If infected you will feel terrible, feverish, sweating buckets and the wound will be inflamed.
Dont use oils, sprays or anything. Just gentle washing, no scented soap. I let water run over it for the first while after surgery on the advice of the docs.

I used to use the blow dryer after a shower on a low setting to make sure it was dry! Then just through out the day I would keep lifting my tummy and wiping it and fanning it as it did get a bit smelly while it was healing. Also a muslin cloth under the overhang used to help and suck up a lot of moisture.

@DoingJustFine no, your bodies own bacteria is normal and healthy and unless your clothes are minging (eg covered in animal poo, old food or not washed for months) you’ll be fine!

One question: my scar/incision is really sore. It stings when I move into certain positions.

Is that normal? It's been a week - I would've thought it wouldn't sting.

I don't remember my c-section incision being painful after a week?

Maybe it's because the glue plaster thing moved so the sticky patch was actually on top of the stitches for the week it was on?

And now it's off and I've washed it, maybe it'll settle down?

My incision was stingy for a couple of weeks I think?

Thank you for saying that!! @SRK16 I'm getting so fraught about everything. It doesn't seem right that you can have major abdominal surgery then be sent home after 2 days to look after yourself!

I know, it’s ridiculous! I remember being stressed I wasn’t recovering fast enough. Once the incision healed a bit, I do remember it was the muscular/internal bruising that was uncomfortable for quite some time. Much longer than I had anticipated. Hope you have a speedy recovery.

If you have that horrible glue residue then zoff adhesive wipes are amazing. Made me feel so much happier.

Also once you are more healed then look up techniques for self massage as it's supposed to help prevent/lessen scar/tissue adhesion and should make you feel less stiff/tight in that area longer term.