C-Section scar 5weeks pp?

[pearl2]

I had a very unexpected C-section. I've been putting Arnica cream on the incision site, but I don't really know if it's helping. What else would be good to put on it? The healing is going very well, so there's no complication with the scar.

[sunnysandiegan]

Did you use a "belly balm" of any kind while pregnant?

It has been 8 years, so I don't recall the exact blend I used. However, I made a blend of various oils as a belly balm to prevent/reduce stretch marks while pregnant and then used that on my (also unexpected) C-section scar. My scar is barely noticeable to me and I know where it is. On one "mom's night IN" us mom's somehow started showing each other our scars (our playgroup has an unusually high percentage of C-section babies and one mom is a doula; she probably started it all...LOL) and everyone wanted to know A) who my doc was and B) my belly balm recipe (for subsequent births).

I think the key is to keep it lubricated and rub it frequently. Any oil is likely to do the trick as long as you spend some time rubbing it in daily.

[amcal]

I had surgery 2 months ago and have been putting emu oil on it regularly with firm massage and I can't tell you how many comments I get about how great my scar looks.

It was a pretty long, angry scar and it's faded, the keloid that started forming is gone, it's smoothing out and really looks pretty good. And, I'm a terrible scarer. I wish I had used emu on all my other scars - it might have saved me some pretty painful keloids.

[leavemealone]

I have heard that Vitamin E may help, but I am not sure of the dosage or frequency of application.

I had an unplanned c-section with my first child and I didn't put anything on it and the scar looks fine. Some people do just heal better/scar less than others. The dr I went to for my second child didn't even notice it until about 14 weeks. I'd seen the midwife in the practice prior to that and it was in my medical history, he just hadn't taken the time to read it. The only way you can actually see it is b/c I have that "shelf" that so often comes from having a c-section but that is really only visible when I stand up. I did not have a c-section with my second or third children so I don't have any advice for that (not that you really asked for that, though)

[catnap70]

They also sell an essential oil blend at naturesgift.com that works nicely for scars. Helichrysum in rosehip seed oil. There are lots of testimonials on the site but we have been using in our daughters forehead since she split it open and it seems to really be helping. The gash is smoothing out and isn't so angry looking. My grandmother also used it after her mastectomy and the doctor commented that she was healing exceptionally well.