Caesarean Section Recovery

For some women it is a badge of honour, while others have a love hate relationship. Every c-section scar is unique, a sign of a journey a mama has gone through, and often many different emotions, thoughts and feelings are associated with it.

C-section scars are the mark that is left following the surgical procedure to deliver a baby via an incision made through 7 layers of abdominal tissue. So how do these layers heal and how long does healing take?

Stages Of Healing

During the first few days post-surgery clotting cells are sent to the wound site to stop any bleeding. White blood cells gather at the site to guard against infection. The wound may look swollen or pink while in this phase of healing.

At around 3-4 weeks new blood vessels and skin cells form to create a protective barrier to close the wound. The wound is strengthened and edges pulled together by collagen gathering at the incision and the scar will start to thicken and change colour as it heals.

From around week 3-4 to 12+ months the body continues to reorganise and remodel the scar tissue, to strengthen it and build flexibility. Over this time the scar begins to flatten and progressively fade.

How Long Will I Be Sore For?

Generally, a c-section wound will be painful for anywhere from 2-4 weeks post surgery, but sometimes longer. Unfortunately, most women are given minimal advice with their recovery. This often leaves them feeling uncertain and apprehensive about what they are able to do, particularly with exercise, and can lead to dysfunctional scar tissue healing, adhesions and poor core function.

What Are Adhesions?

An adhesion is a band of scar tissue that forms between 2 surfaces of the body that are usually separate. They can feel like a band of fibrous tissue or like a thin sheet of cling wrap. The rate of adhesions following c-section range from 24%-65%, and this increases with every subsequent c-section. Adhesions can cause a range of issues including infertility, pelvic pain and bowel obstruction.

Symptoms of an adhesion can include:

Discomfort around your scar
Pulling sensations around your scar with movement or stretching
Sensory changes such as numbness, tingling or increased sensitivity
Core muscles feeling weak or like they can’t switch on
Soreness in your back, neck or pelvis
Digestive issues like bloating, pain or constipation
Trouble breathing or feeling like your breath is restricted
Unhappiness with the appearance of your scar or the surrounding tissues, due to them being tethered in, or down

How Can C-section Scar Release And Rehabilitation Help?

Soft tissue mobilisation and core rehabilitation are ways to help scar tissue mobility, flexibility and appearance, abdominal sensitivity and core muscle function post c-section. Treatment is tailored to you and your scar, and will typically involve an assessment of your posture, breath, movement and core muscle function, manual therapy to areas including your abdomen, ribs, hips/pelvis and c-section scar tissue, along with rehabilitation exercises and at home advice including breath and core work, and self-massage techniques.

Hands on treatment to your scar needs to wait until your wound has healed, around 6 weeks post-surgery, however breath work, release to adjacent areas and exercise rehabilitation can begin from around 2 weeks.

Personalised professional advice can help you feel empowered and confident with your c-section recovery. If you’re wanting guidance with your recovery, I would love to help you!

Book in with Michelle for C-section scar specific treatment by clicking here, or calling Pivotal Osteopathy on 0435995728.