How do I take care of a cesarean wound?
A cesarean delivery is a surgical procedure in which a gynecologist delivers the fetus by making an incision in the abdomen and another in the uterus . And the doctor resorted to cesarean delivery for many reasons related to the health of the mother and the fetus.
During a cesarean delivery, the doctor will make an incision through the abdominal wall, horizontally near the pubic hair, or vertically from below the navel to above the pubic bone. Then the doctor cuts the layers of the abdomen, from the fatty tissue, to the connective tissue, and then separates the abdominal muscles to reach the abdominal cavity. Then the doctor makes the incision of the uterus surgically, depending on the position of the child in the womb.
After removing the child, the doctor closes the incisions with stitches, leaving an incision for a cesarean section. How can you care for a cesarean section wound after childbirth to avoid complications?
Here are the answers to the most important questions that occur to your mind about wound care after a caesarean section, which my patients usually ask me after the operation:
How do I clean a cesarean section wound?
Before leaving the hospital, your doctor will take care of the cesarean section wound and remove the staples from the wound if they are present, depending on the case. If you have sutures, they will dissolve on their own, and your doctor will tell you about this.
The caesarean section scar will be covered for about a week to keep your wound closed and clean
During the first two weeks, you can shower freely with a gentle soap without rubbing the area
Use warm water and soap to rinse the wound daily (usually when you shower).
It is okay for the wound to get wet
Pat the area dry after cleaning
Keep the area dry and clean.
If your doctor uses adhesive strips on the wound, allow them to fall off on their own. This usually takes about a week. Or, Dr. Qasim Shihab may advise you to remove it after two days. Avoid submerging the caesarean section wound in the bathtub or swimming pool during the first days.
The wound may swell at this stage and the area around it may be pink
Some doctors advocate applying a topical antibiotic to the wound and covering it with a bandage, while others prefer not to apply anything and leave the wound exposed. Talk to your doctor about what's best for your wound.
Wear loose-fitting clothing to help air the wound. Get approval from your doctor before resuming exercise and exercise
Movement helps increase blood flow, which speeds up healing and reduces the chances of developing deep vein thrombosis, but avoid bending, twisting, or making sudden movements as much as possible, as this may affect the wound.
What is the shape of a cesarean delivery wound?
The length of the caesarean section ranges from 10 cm to 15 cm, and its length varies according to the conditions of delivery and the size of the fetus's head.
In fact, the caesarean section wound is usually hidden and never noticeable, and this of course depends on the skill of the doctor. The caesarean section wound is usually below the pubic hair line, so it may not be visible at all.
The caesarean section wound will look red or pink for several months, but will eventually fade into a pale, flat, and thin streak.
Some women create scars that are larger, thicker, or more prominent than others, however, these scars are rarely very visible. In fact, you may not have noticed a caesarean wound before many of the women you have seen in the pool or on the beach.
When does the cesarean section wound heal?
The recovery period from a cesarean delivery takes longer than a normal delivery. It is normal to feel tiredness and discomfort after the operation, besides the fatigue resulting from undergoing the operation, there is fatigue in caring for your child.
To speed up the healing of a cesarean section wound, the following is necessary:
Rest as much as possible and whenever possible in the first period.
Put everything you and your baby need on hand.
Avoid lifting anything that weighs heavier than your baby, especially for the first few weeks.
Avoid getting up right after squatting.
Ask your doctor about the need to take pain relievers to soothe the wound
Consult your doctor about applying a hot pad to the wound to soothe it
Avoid having sex for at least 6 weeks after a cesarean delivery to prevent infection
Avoid driving the car for at least a week or two, and it may take longer than that to be able to apply the brakes and roll comfortably again while driving.
Cesarean section cosmetic wound
Doctors now make sure that the cesarean section wound is not visible, and they make sure to keep it as low as possible so that it is not visible.
Doctors resort to closing the cesarean section wound, either with compression, stitches, or gum.
Presses:
This is the least common method, as your doctor uses a skin stapler to close the incision with metal staples.
This option is the easiest, fastest, and in some cases the best. .
Sutures:
The doctor sutures the cesarean section wound, and this method takes a little longer than pressing (about 30 minutes), and some experts think it may be a better option. Some research suggests that women whose cesarean section wound has stitches closed may be less likely to have wound-related complications than women whose wound is closed with a compress.
Gum:
The wound is closed with surgical glue, and then it is covered with a transparent dressing. Some experts say the gum heals faster and leaves the scar less noticeable. But it isn't always an option. Doctors can use the glue depending on several factors, including how the cesarean section was performed, whether you have a horizontal incision, along with the consistency of the abdominal skin and fat.
How do I know that the cesarean section wound is infected?
In the post-cesarean period, we must continue to see your doctor periodically to make sure that everything is going well. We may hear many women complaining about "the cesarean section hurts me", without resorting to medical help, which may aggravate the problem.
In particular, if you notice any of these symptoms, you must see your doctor immediately, as the caesarean section wound may be infected and in need of treatment.
If you notice that the cesarean section wound is red
If the cesarean section wound appears swollen or is leaking secretions
If you have a fever or have a fever
If you experience profuse bleeding
If your pain increases over time
When to remove cesarean section dressings?
Consult your doctor about the appropriate time to remove the caesarean dressing.
You will usually have to leave the bandage on for 48 hours.
Dr. Qassem Shehab , consultant of advanced laparoscopic surgery, gynecology and obstetrics. Subspecialty specialization in the treatment of urinary incontinence and gynecological edema
Abdali Hospital , Boulevard, 24th floor
Oman Jourdan
For reservations and inquiries
0096265109999
qasem.shehab@abdalimedical.com
References:
C-section. Retrieved on: 21/9/2020, from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/c-section/about/pac-20393655
C-Section Scar Care: Your Guide to Helping It Heal. Retrieved on: 21/9/2020, from: https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/giving-birth/cesarean/c-section-scar-care/
The Do's and Don'ts of Healing from a C-Section. Retrieved on: 21/9/2020, from: https://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/topics/intermountain-moms/2018/03/the-dos-and-donts-of-healing-from-a-csection/
C-Section Scars: Care Basics During and After Healing. Retrieved on: 21/9/2020, from: https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/c-section-scars