Your caesarean wound will usually be along or just below your bikini line. Very rarely it might be straight up and down your tummy. It will usually have dissolvable stitches or staples. It’ll take 6-10 weeks for your wound to heal completely. Below are a few tips on how to look after your scar.
- Keep it clean and dry
This is pretty straightforward! Keeping the incision site clean and dry will help to reduce the risk of developing an infection. - Listen to your medical practitioner
Rule of thumb is no driving, no lifting anything heavier than the weight of your bub, no sexual intercourse and no going in the pool for 6 weeks! Always ask your GP if you are unsure of what you can and can’t do. - Wear a supportive garment
Compression tights/shorts or tubigrip help with providing some support for your incision site and allow healing to take place. Bonus: it also helps with supporting your diastasis recti (abdominal separation)! - Don’t get fixed in a flexed posture
As your incision is healing, make sure you are not constantly in that protective, rounded posture. This is to prevent formation of a tight scar tissue, which will then limit the range and flexibility of your abdominal wall. When it feels comfortable, try lying in an elbow prop position to allow gentle stretching of your scar. - Scar tissue massage
Massaging your scar once it is healed and sealed will help to break down the thick adhesions. Check in with your pelvic health physiotherapist to learn when and how you should massage your scar tissue.
At Wisdom Physiotherapy Nedlands, our Women’s Health team can help you with your recovery of pregnancy and birth. Call us to make an appointment on (08) 6389 2947.
