What Does a C-Section Wound Look Like?

After giving birth, most mothers will require stitches, whether it's from a C-Section, a perineal cut, or tear in the vaginal area. C-Section wounds can vary in shape, depending on factors such as the method and materials the doctor uses for sutures. Typically, a C-Section results in a 4- to 6-inch horizontal incision along the edge of your underwear or a vertical incision below the navel, depending on the surgery. The outer layer of the C-Section wound starts healing in the 1st week after surgery, with complete closure occurring over time. It undergoes a transformation from its initial appearance as a reddish-purple color at around the first 6 months before fading to a smooth white color until it heals completely.

When Will the Stitched C-Section Wound Heal?

It typically takes around 2 to 4 weeks for the stitched wound to heal, but the duration may vary from person to person, ranging from 2 to 12 weeks based on the type of suture used. Ensuring cleanliness of the wound is crucial to prevent infections and help it heal without any issues.

11 Ways to Care for Your C-Section Wound for Quick Healing and Pain Relief

1. Avoid strenuous activities and lifting heavy objects, especially during the first 3 months.
2. Squeeze your pelvic floor regularly to increase blood flow and stimulate wound healing.
3. Keep the wound clean and dry by spraying water mist for quick cleaning 2-3 times a day and gently wiping it dry.
4. Be cautious not to let the maternity pad rub against the stitched wound, and ensure to change pads frequently.
5. Use a cloth wrapped in ice to compress the wound for no more than 2-3 minutes at a time to reduce swelling, but avoid prolonged application as it may reduce blood flow to the wound area.
6. Use belly wrap after giving birth to support back muscles and reduce C-Section wound pain. Use an elastic bandage on the incision to prevent pulling away from the abdominal wall. Pain and tightness of the wound typically subside after 48 hours. If pain persists, Paracetamol can be taken for relief.
7. Consume protein to expedite C-Section wound healing, including eggs and milk in appropriate amounts.
8. Follow the doctor's orders to move around even though the C-Section wound can be painful, even 1 day after surgery. Failure to move may lead to the formation of fibrous tissue, which can adhere to internal organs within the abdominal cavity, posing a risk of fallopian tube blockage or complications in future C-Sections.
9. Use wiping instead of bathing for the first 7 days to prevent infection and inflammation in the surgical wound. After the wound is closed, showering is allowed. Allow the wound to naturally peel off and avoid scratching. Keep the wound clean and dry to promote faster healing and seek medical attention if signs of inflammation occur.
10. Walking will help to relieve gas pains, have a bowel movement, improve urine output, prevent blood clots, and begin retraining your abdominal muscles to support your body.
11. After the wound is completely dry and closed, use a cream containing a mild steroid or vitamin E if scars begin to appear.

Tips for Mothers with a C-Section Wound

After a C-Section, mothers need adequate nutrition to facilitate quick healing of the wound and breastfeeding. Many mothers have concerns about caring for the wound and wonder what foods promote rapid healing without causing keloid scars or other issues. There are often misconceptions about certain foods that may irritate surgical wounds, such as sticky rice causing the wound to rot or develop pus, or eggs causing the wound to bulge, become uneven, and inflamed, resulting in slow wound healing. There are no scientific evidence on the prohibitions on such foods.

Women with a C-Section wound should ensure they consume all 5 food groups. Eating 1-2 eggs a day is recommended, as eggs are a rich source of protein, aiding in the post-operative repair. The proteins in eggs are essential for creating new tissue and skin, facilitating the healing of wounds and restoring the body's strength quickly. While sticky rice, being a starchy food, provides energy and has high nutritional value¹.

The truth about keloid C-Section scars and slow healing depends on various factors as follows:

Factors Causing Slow Healing of C-Section Wounds

• Genetically inherited trait: Families with a history of keloid scars have a greater likelihood of developing keloid scars. Individuals of Chinese descent exhibit a higher incidence, while darker skin tone individuals have a higher chance compared to lighter skin tone individuals².
• Wound healing: If the wound takes more than 3 weeks to heal, there is a higher chance of developing keloid scars².

Behavior: The formation of raised scars is caused by an imbalance in the body that produces excessive collagen in the initial 3 months. There is a high chance the wound will turn into a raised scar or keloid, especially if the wound is stretched until it becomes tight or painful, prompting the body to adjust by creating thick collagen fibers. When these fibers become too thick, they result in raised scars.

Foods to Avoid for Mothers with C-Section Wounds

• Avoid alcohol, including liquor and beer, as it may slow down wound healing and lead to inflammation.
• Refrain from consuming raw or undercooked food to minimize the risk of infection.
• Be cautious with allergenic foods, especially seafood, as allergic reactions can cause itching and negatively impact the surgical wound
• Limit the intake of fermented and spicy foods, as they can potentially affect the healing process of the surgical wound.

The mother's surgical wound after childbirth is clean and sterile, sealed with waterproof material, eliminating the need for daily dressing changes. If there's no seepage, mothers can leave the dressing in place, ensuring the wound stays dry. External tissues usually heal in 2-4 weeks, with individual recovery times varying. At the 1-2 week checkup, the doctor will remove the dressing. Any pain, inflammation, swelling, or intense redness should prompt immediate consultation with the doctor, even before the scheduled appointment date.

Precautions for C-Section Wounds

If a mother experiences intense pain and tightness around the C-Section wound or suspects an infection, promptly consult with an obstetrician.

Reference:​​

¹ 40 weeks of pregnancy development (page 232-233 "Postpartum essentials“​​

² http://haamor.com/th/keloid/#article102​