How to Care for a C-Section Scar

Your c-section has given you a gorgeous, healthy baby to care for but left behind a wound that needs care, too. While in the hospital or birthing center, it's likely your health care provider gave you antibiotics to guard against infection, but you must continue to care for and monitor the wound so that scarring will be minimal. According to a video produced at Mainline Health in Pennsylvania, between 6 and 8 percent of c-section wounds get infected, and infection is one of the biggest reason for scars that remain large and unsightly. Caring for your wound is the best way to make sure your scar is barely noticeable.

Things You'll Need

• Ice pack
• Shower
• Soap
• Aloe vera or prepared scar treatment such as Mederma

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Instructions

• 1

  Use an ice pack when you get home to continue to stop the swelling. Apply the ice pack to the wound area for 20 minutes every three hours if needed. Swelling is usually not dangerous to the wound's healing, but it can add to the pain you are experiencing. If you still need an ice pack after a couple of days, you should contact your health care provider to assess your pain and swelling level.

• 2

  Shower daily to keep your c-section wound clean. Do not bathe until you have seen your doctor for your postpartum visit and get his okay. Use soap and water to clean the wound gently (don't pull or scrub it). If your doctor used surgical tape to close your wound, it is normal for that to fall off when you shower.

• 3

  Observe the wound daily to make sure that it is not getting red. It will continue to be painful for several weeks, but the swelling should continue to go down and the scar should minimize. It is normal for the wound to harden, but if you notice additional redness or any sort of discharge, call your doctor. Also call your doctor if your temperature is over 101 degrees, as that is often a sign of infection, too.

• 4

  Rest as much as possible. The best treatment for a surgical wound is rest. It's nearly impossible to rest with an infant in the home, but do your best to operate your household from a reclining position. Try to sleep when the baby sleeps or ask family and friends to take some shifts so you can sleep for a couple of hours uninterrupted.

• 5

  Apply a scar treatment such as Mederma, or use aloe vera two or three times a day to gently massage the scar after your wound has healed. Healing takes six to eight weeks. It will take at least six months before you'll be able to see how your scar will heal permanently, so don't worry if it still is very visible at the one-month mark. Your doctor likely placed the incision below your bikini line, so it will be hidden most of the time.