When you arrive home with a newborn, your baby needs a lot of attention. But if you had a C-section, it’s important to care for yourself, too.
A C-section, or cesarean section, is when your baby is delivered surgically, through an incision in your abdomen. Afterward, you’ll need to make sure the incision stays clean as you heal.
“The main reason it's important to keep your incision clean is to help prevent a skin infection. This will also help minimize pain, promote smooth healing and improve the cosmetic appearance of your scar as you heal,” said Teresa Safer, MD, an OBGYN with Banner - University Medicine.
Here’s what you need to know about cleaning your incision, managing your scar and understanding what activities you should (and shouldn’t) do after a C-section.
How to clean your C-section incision properly
Follow these incision care and cleaning tips:
- Always wash your hands with soap and water before you touch your incision.
- Clean the skin around the incision gently with mild soap and warm water. It’s fine for the incision to get wet and you may want to clean it while you’re taking a shower. But don’t submerge the incision in a bathtub or swimming pool unless your provider says it’s OK. “You can use a saline solution to clean around the incision if you prefer,” Dr. Safer said.
- Use a soft cloth or a piece of gauze to wipe away any dried blood. Avoid scrubbing and pat it gently.
- Rinse away any soap that’s on or around the incision.
- Pat dry carefully with a clean towel. Avoid rubbing, which could irritate.
- Follow your provider’s instructions and don’t remove any steri-strips or glue unless your provider tells you that you should.
“Avoid anything that has harsh chemicals, like rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, iodine/betadine or fragranced soaps and lotions. These can interfere with the tissue healing well,” Dr. Safer said.
How to keep your C-section scar looking its best
Scars naturally heal in stages:
- In the first stage, called the inflammatory stage, white blood cells go to the area to help prevent infection and clean debris. In this stage, your scar may be red and raised.
- The next stage is called proliferation and it lasts for several weeks. That’s where your tissues repair and rebuild.
- “The final phase of healing is called remodeling. It takes place over many months. The tissue and collagen fibers in the scar reorganize to make the scar stronger, softer and flatter. Eventually, this process will reduce the redness and thickness of the scar,” Dr. Safer said.
The final appearance of the scar depends on your genetics, your care routine and how you follow post-surgical guidelines. “Many of the factors that contribute to how your scar looks are beyond your control, like genetic tendencies to certain types of scars,” she said.
These steps can help minimize C-section scars:
- “During the early weeks of healing, applying a plain, fragrance-free ointment like petroleum jelly (Vaseline) can help with healing. You can place a clean, non-stick gauze over the incision to keep the ointment off your clothing,” Dr. Safer said.
- Don’t pick at any scabs. “Let them naturally slough off when they are ready,” she said.
- Protect the scar from the sun by covering it with clothing or using sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher if it’s exposed. Sun exposure can make scars darker and more noticeable.
- Don’t lift heavy objects and avoid activities that stretch or pull on the incision.
- Talk to your provider about when you can safely use silicone scar sheets or scar creams to help flatten and soften the scar. Keep in mind that they could take months to work.
- If your scar becomes thick, raised or painful, see your provider. This could be a sign of a keloid or hypertrophic scar and steroid injections or special creams may help.
Activities to include and avoid after a C-section
You can take these steps to help your scar heal and to lower your risk of complications:
- Don’t lift anything heavier than your baby and a small diaper bag for at least six weeks.
- Avoid intense exercise, like running or weightlifting, until your provider says it’s OK.
- Don’t drive for at least two to six weeks or until you can press the brake pedal without pain.
- Be gentle during bowel movements. Straining can put pressure on your incision.
- Take light walks to promote circulation and reduce the risk of blood clots.
- Ask your provider about simple stretches that can improve your flexibility and help you feel more comfortable.
- Use tools like a nursing pillow to reduce pressure on your abdomen when you’re holding or feeding your baby.
“Your overall health and habits after surgery can also have a huge impact on your incision healing,” Dr. Safer said. These C-section recovery tips can help:
- Rest as much as you can so your body can heal.
- Stay hydrated and eat a healthy diet with plenty of foods high in protein and fiber.
- Avoid smoking and tobacco products.
- Keep your blood sugar levels at goal ranges if you have diabetes or gestational diabetes.
When to contact your health care provider
Your provider will probably want to see you after about two weeks (or sometimes sooner) to check your incision. “Call if you have any questions or concerns about how healing is going,” Dr. Safer said.
Contact your provider right away if you notice:
- Pain that gets worse at the incision site after it was improving
- Fever
- Redness
- Warmth
- Swelling
- Bleeding or drainage
- Signs that the edges of the wound are pulling apart
- Trouble urinating
- Abdominal pain
- Unusual vaginal discharge or heavy vaginal bleeding
The bottom line
Taking good post-C-section scar care can help keep your incision clean, reduce your risk of infection, improve the scar’s appearance and make a big difference in your recovery.
If you have any questions about how to clean your incision or minimize scarring, talk to your health care provider or reach out to an expert at Banner Health.
