It’s important to take care of your C-section scar to promote healing, reduce risk of infection, minimize discomfort or pain and improve your scars appearance overtime. Before beginning any of these techniques, make sure to consult with your healthcare provider as well as speak with your pelvic floor Physical Therapist to ensure safe and appropriate technique!
Let your scar heal
Too much physical activity after a c-section can disrupt the natural healing process and increase risk of complications such as infection and wound reopening. In the first week, have the baby brought to you. Slowly introduce movement into your routine to allow your body to focus on healing the incision in order to form a healthy and strong scar.
- Use proper movement
Prior to the baby’s arrival, speak to your pelvic floor physical therapist about how to safely and effectively take your first steps after your c-section as well as how to shower, transfer into your car, sleep and negotiate stairs in order to protect your scar and promote a safe, healing timeline.
- Desensitize your scar
Desensitization refers to the process of reducing sensitivity or discomfort around the scar tissue as a result of nerve damage during a C-section. This process aims at reducing sensitivity, discomfort, pain, itchiness or hypersensitivity that can happen as part of the body’s natural healing process. Complete for 10 minutes daily by making small clockwise circles using very light pressure using the timeline below.
Week 1 – begin above your scar, along your belly button line with a cotton ball
Week 2 – begin below your belly button line with a rough tissue
Week 3 – begin above scar with a makeup brush
- Massage your scar tissue
Massage techniques can help promote blood flow to the incision and aid in the healing process. By reducing the overall scar tissue, improvements in range of motion and mobility will allow for greater ease in daily activities and exercise. Complete for 10 minutes daily using very light pressure with the following timeline.
Week 3 – work along the bellybutton line making small clockwise circles
Week 6 – start working around the scar lightly pulling upwards towards the belly button
Week 12 – begin to work directly on the scar by making small circle or using the pulling technique
- Use Vitamin E and scar patches
These can be beneficial to help moisturize, heal and reduce the appearance of the scar. Before application of the oil or patches, the scar should be gently washed with water and dried. A small amount of vitamin E or cream can then be placed directly on the scar or a scar patch to treat any redness and reduce the chance of keloid or hypertrophic scarring. Make sure to get clearance from your OB first before the use of vitamin E!
To find out more ways you can make the most of your healing, contact us for a free consultation today!
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