How To Care For Your C-Section Wound
When you have a C-section, there will be a long recovery process afterwards. And a big part of this is looking after the wound that’s been left by the incision needed to deliver your baby.
Good wound care is very important, as it helps to prevent infection.
Here’s our guide to caring for your C-section wound:
Wound closure
After your baby has been delivered the surgeon will close your wound using either stitches or clips. Some stitches dissolve by themselves after a few days, but if you have the non-dissolvable type, or clips, then your midwife will remove them after five to seven days. (See 1.)
Types of Dressing
Normally you will have a standard dressing put onto your wound to help the healing process and protect it from infection. This will stay on for at least 24 hours.
But it’s possible you may have an sNPWT (single-use negative pressure wound therapy) dressing, which is designed to exert constant pressure to encourage healing. This will stay in place for seven days.
(See 2. 3. + 4.)
Caring for your wound at home
It’s very important to be careful with your wound when you get home. Try to do the following: (See 5. + 6.)
Keep the wound clean and dry. Have daily showers, instead of baths, and pat your wound dry gently with kitchen paper or a towel
Wear loose clothes and loose cotton underwear, to avoid rubbing on the wound
Don’t allow yourself – or anyone else - to touch your wound without having had a thorough hand wash first
Support your wound if you cough, laugh, or move suddenly
Signs of wound infection
Wound infection is quite common after c-sections. So it’s vital that you look out for any signs of infection, such as:
A high temperature, or feeling feverish
Severe pain in your womb and/or abdomen
Your wound looking red and swollen
Your wound feeling painful
Pus, or nasty smelling liquid, coming from your wound
Swollen and/or painful lower legs
Heavy bleeding from your vagina
Pain when urinating
If you notice any of the symptoms listed above, then you must get in touch with your doctor or midwife immediately. (See 7.)
Your scar
Your wound will soon heal completely and form a horizontal scar, about 10cm to 20cm long, that sits just below your pubic hair line. Sometimes, it may be a vertical scar just under your belly button - if a vertical incision was made during the operation – but this is rare. The scar will fade over time and will often be hidden in your pubic hair. (See 8.)
Further information:
1. NHS – Caesarean section recovery https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/caesarean-section/recovery/ Accessed on 29/03/23
2. NHS – Caesarean section recovery https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/caesarean-section/recovery/ Accessed on 29/03/23
3. Harrogate and District NHS - NEGATIVE PRESSURE WOUND THERAPY https://www.hdft.nhs.uk/content/uploads/2016/02/negative-pressure-wound-therapy.pdf
4. NHS Glasgow - Single use Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (sNPWT) https://clinicalguidelines.nhsggc.org.uk/media/2573/snpwt-567.pdf 29/03/23
5. NHS – Caesarean section recovery https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/caesarean-section/recovery/ Accessed on 29/03/23
6. NHS - Caring for your wound after having a caesarean section
https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/patient-information-leaflet/caring-for-your-wound-after-having-a-caesarean-section Accessed on 29/03/23
7. NHS – Caesarean section recovery https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/caesarean-section/recovery/ Accessed on 29/03/23
8. NHS – Caesarean section recovery https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/caesarean-section/recovery/ Accessed on 29/03/23
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