C Section Question

Updated on December 14, 2010
C.N. asks from Little Rock, AR
7 answers

Hey everyone, I have a question. I had a c-section 5 weeks ago, and it seems like it might be irritated. My scar is red and it's itching, and on top of that one little part of my scar seems open, and I can see part of the stitches. I had my normal checkup with my doc, but she said it was fine and to put peroxide on it everyday. So I was wondering does anyone else have this problem? And if you did, what did you do? It has me a little worried.. Thanks

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Thanks everyone for your comments. I will try it out. :) and Keep everyone posted.

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E.M.

answers from Boca Raton on

I had a c-section as well, and for a good amount of time I dealt with the red, irritated, itchy scar, it's totally normal, it's healing. I would only be worried if you saw pus. And, yes, Hydrogen Peroxide will do a pretty good job keeping the incision free from bacteria; but it might also dry it out making it itchier. So, moisturize, I used Palmer's Cocoa Butter Lotion...it is such a delicious body lotion and really helps tremendously, great moisiture, not greasy, makes the skin feel supple and smells like chocolate. I also had heat, searing pains at the sight of my incision, only relief I got was from putting a pillow on my lower abdomen and hunching over it, as to press the pillow into me. Don't stress! Enjoy you new baby!

1 mom found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

how are you closed up?
For me, I was on the surface externally, closed up with what is called Steri-strips.
Under that,UNDER the skin layer were stitches.
The steri-strips and sutures of course... dissolves or naturally comes off.... in time. But by then, as my Doc said, the incision is fine/closed up/healed.

If you are opening up... you should tell your Doc.

For me, I never had to put peroxide on it, nor was I told to do so....

Tell your Doctor... you do not want to risk infection.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.A.

answers from San Francisco on

You will know when you have a big problem. My first two c-sections took four months each to close and heal. I had to have a home nurse come every day to pack the wound and take my temperature and blood pressure. The second time it happened, the doctor said that he thought he saw my bladder.

Six years after that, I had my third c-section. Absolutely no problem, healed beautifully.

Keep a watch on the area and your temperature. It should not be leaking fluid. If it is or you have a temperature, go to the emergency room or the doctor's office and get an exam. But, as long as the doctor is happy with your progress, you should be fine.

Good luck...congratulations on the baby!

1 mom found this helpful

J.E.

answers from Los Angeles on

i was told to keep it clean and dry, but had similar problems, the doctor put some stuff on it (no idea what) to dry it out, it worked. took quite a while to heal from the c section, i dont think they prepare us for that.

1 mom found this helpful

P.M.

answers from Tampa on

Cesareans are a major surgery with too many risks to really make it an option unless it was an emergency - which surprisingly is becoming more 'normal'... hmmm maybe women should stop going to surgeons (OBs) to have their kids!

Anyways... keep checking with your Dr. because small things can become majorly infected things that can quickly lead to septicemia (infection spreading and being spread by the blood stream). You need to take really good care of yourself right now and think of only the baby and yourself.

1 mom found this helpful
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G.C.

answers from Enid on

I had my first c-section 1 year ago & I still have itching on my scar. I have other scars that are much older & also itch occasionally. Like any other cut, scrape, etc. it will itch. My scars also tend to stay red (or are colored differently than my normal skin color) for a long time.
It's not ABNORMAL for a small opening to appear & in general they heal on their own, but a tad slower than other sections of a "suture line" that don't open.
ANY "leaking", odor, new pain at that spot, excessive redness or streaking at or around that spot could be signs of infection & should be addressed immediately.
If it were me, I'd seek a pharmacy or medical supply that carries supplies for & deals with "wound care". My understanding is that hydrogen peroxide should be diluted before being applied to limit damage to healthy tissue, which is definitely needed for a wound to close.
If your clothing is irritating the incision or that spot, try a tefla or similar non-stick bandage to protect it from irritation. I also spent some time each day with my incision open to air which helped with itching. It's not entirely attractive but it does help keep things dry!

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J.F.

answers from Toledo on

I've had 4 C Sections. With my second one, I wasn't sewn up properly (one of the staples was very crooked), and I had a gaping hole. When I went to have my staples removed one week post-partum, the doc cleaned it out with a big cotton swab and some antiseptic rinse. It was uncomfortable, but not unbearable. I had to clean it daily with peroxide and make sure I kept it dry. It eventually healed on its own after a month or so. The redness and itching is normal. That is just your body healing itself.

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