how long til your incision healed??? please help!!!

[Attached Mama]

I had an emergency c-section in July of '05 and my scar is still red and tender. Well, it's definitely fading - not like it's not healing, but it is definitely still tender on the outside. My midwife said that the skin around it would probably feel numb for about 6 months, but the numbness only lasted a week or so if that. I take that as a good sign - healing more quickly. but I just want this ugly scar to fade and to not have to worry about DD kicking it or sitting in tight pants or underwear rubbing it etc. Any advice? I tried vitamin E but didn't seem to help so I thought maybe it needs to heal more first.

[Natabimic]

I have had 3 cesareans..but my last one was in feb.2005, so in 8 days my baby turns one. it still feels tender from time to time, the underwear rubbing it is not a problem but for example when the kids climb on top of me, and they accidently hit me or step or just press on my scar it hurts. I still cannot do sit ups or crunches because it is still tender in that sense. with my first cesarean my skin was numb for like 4 months, with my second about the same but with my third it was numb for a little bit more than that. it itches from time to time but my major problem with my scar site is that I always get painful ingrown hairs right on top of the scar...ok, don't know if i helped you or not! LOLOL, just wanted to let you know that you are not alone..

[Ltlfaery]

mine is tender still as well. It's been 8 mo. It's tingly, and it bothers me when it rubs against things, the feeling is just "weird". The redness is still there as well, so, I have no idea. Sorry.

[ariahsmum]

Ahhhhhhh- the infamous scar. First, for the OP, what kind of closure did you have in your skin? Do you have your records that would show this? It may make a difference to you and your body and healing if you had internal vicryl or external staples for example.

I had internal, vicryl that were left in to dissolve. And my body DID NOT LIKE THEM at all. It took literally three years for the scar to heal, and at three years finally my body spit out the last of the knots left in by the surgeon under the skin. I had traveled to plastic surgeons far and wide to see if they would revise the scar simply because it was so darned painful and red and irritated. I knew there was left over material in there and I wanted it out. That being said, you may not have that situation... but it may just be that it will atke a long time for the scar to resolve itself. There are many things that would aid in this depending on what is going on.

I would recommend castor oil packs topically as needed. Also, ST. John's wort oil mill help topically if you have any places that feel nerve damaged- like numb areas, etc. I frequently used rescue remedy cream along my scar and found that to be very soothing and healing. Of course in addition ar eworking thru the trauma of the birth (all surgery is trauma by nature to the body even if you are "happy" with it.) Your body will heal completely as the trauma is healed. There is energy work for this, alonmg with massage (you can do light self massage on the scar if that feels good. I also recommend acupuncture as the main conception vessel is literally cut in half during surgery. Anyone with a c/s IMNSHO should have acupuncture following in order to get the energy or xi going again.

For me, I used homeopathic thuja (which can help get out splinters) and also plaintain chewed up and packed externally on the scar in order to pull out the sutures and poison from my body.

Now my scar is invisible- it used to be red red red and angry, painful and lumpy.

If you have any specific questions about treatment, or you want to talk about specifical;ly what is going on for you- the feelings you have toward your birth, your body, or just what you feel like the scar is saying or needs, let me know. I am pretty well versed in this kind of healing.

Blessings and luck,

[Llyra]

I'm 17 months postpartum now, and my scar isn't tender at all, although the skin does itch sometimes if the elastic on my underpants rubs against it. It's still bright pink, although not red, and the skin above it kinda "pooches" over it. The numbness has gone away, though. I had staples, not stitches, if that helps.

The only weird thing I've noticed is my pubic hair. They cut below the level of where my hair naturally grows, and now the hair doesn't grow back where the incision was. It grows above it and below it, but not on it, which looks really strange.

[MAMom]

I had daily pain for nearly 18 months. Went to a CNM who said I could try surgery again (yeah, right!) or an alternative treatment like acupuncture. Also went to an OB who was useless - told me she could send me to a "pain management center" (different OB then one who did the section).

I ending up going the acupuncture route, and had tremendous results. Within 3 treatements, I noticed a big difference. Got pregnant about 5 or 6 months later, and scar was tender during different stages of pregnancy as it stretched. (there was exactly 2 years from the time DS #1 was born via c-section in 5/03 and me getting pregnant again in 5/05).

On a happier note, I just had a successful HBAC on 2/4/06!!!

[wombatclay]

Congrats MAMom!

Attached Mama- My c/s scar is just now 10 months old and I have a few residual problems (some numbness, occassional twinges during ovulation and when dd pushes against my belly, etc). I had staples that were removed before I left the hospital, and tape that was removed 10 days after that.

Although my incision was "healed" by my 6 week dr's visit, it was very tender and red for several months after that. I found that gentle yoga stretches (like alternating between Cat and Cow) helped, and I followed the scar massage program outlined in Bounce Back into shape after the Baby (but you can find info on sites like http://www.thehipdoc.com/scar.htm). I think it's really odd that scar massage is recommended after all sorts of major surgeries, but OB/GYNs don't seem to know about it or promote it for their c/s patients.

Anyway, you might want to give the yoga and scar massage a try along with the acupuncture and herbal treatments mentioned above (if you can afford them...for me the fact that yoga and self massage are free made a big difference! :) )

If your scar remains really painful or inflamed, you might want to visit your doctor just to rule out infection or something like that. Hope you feel better soon!

[Attached Mama]

Thankya ladies for all your detailed replies! I guess I shouldn't complain compared to what some of you have gone thru... :grouphug I noticed today that it's really beginning to fade so that's good.

I never did have any numbness beyond about a week so I think that's why it was sore. And still if DD catches it or something rubs it the wrong way it is tender. I didn't have staples and the stitches dissolved pretty quickly - I guess - I refused to look at it for like 8 weeks. Never looked once... I still try not to look at it - so ugly I think. I put my undies on right away once I get out of the shower now...

I went today to buy new underwear (ones I got after I had dd are too big - yeah) but couldn't find any I liked. They all would sit right on my scar or up so high like granny pants. :(

As for inside - that seems to be healing great. I am generally really healthy so I like to think that helps (then again - that was supp to mean a natural birth would be no prob :irked: ) Anyway, I do yoga with no probs and it never hurts inside anymore. I learned the hard way around 8 or 10 wks tho not to twist around to see DD in the backseat of the car. Ouch - that one hurt!! It's ok to twist now and I can do a bridge yoga pose up on my hands with no probs etc so I think that's a good sign - right?

Anyway thanks...

[Attached Mama]

On a happier note, I just had a successful HBAC on 2/4/06!!![/QUOTE]

Biggest :clap :twothumbs Congratulations to you!!! yay.... :) I hope and pray to be there in a few years!

[stayathomecristi]

YEAAAAAAA! Congratulations mama!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Isn't that the best feeling in the world???? I'm so happy for you!