How long does it take for a c-section to heal?

How long does AC section take to heal internally?

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To speed up recovery after a cesarean delivery (C-section), people can try lifestyle and wellness methods, such as resting and gentle exercise. C-sections are common, accounting for an estimated 31.9 percent of all deliveries in the United States. Although common, a C-section involves major stomach surgery. The procedure can be lifesaving for both the mother and baby, but it can carry risks and may take a long while to recover from afterward. Self-care, setting reasonable expectations, and having a supportive medical team can make the recovery from a cesarean section easier.

Many guides suggest that full recovery from a C-section takes 4 to 6 weeks. Yet every person is different, and much research suggests a significantly longer recovery time. Some studies, for example, have found that 60 percent of women have some pain in the incision 24 weeks after delivery. A trusted doctor, a supportive community of other people who have had cesarean deliveries, and a willingness to ask questions can help with understanding the recovery process.

Most women undergoing a C-section receive an epidural or spinal block. This form of anesthesia numbs the body but still allows the person to be awake. It can take several hours to regain feeling after an epidural. It will not be possible to walk or use the bathroom without assistance, during this immediate postoperative period. Most women will have a catheter for several hours after delivery to help them urinate.

If general anesthesia is needed, waking up can take some time. A woman may feel groggy, nauseated, afraid, or confused as she comes out of anesthesia.

For many new parents, the most significant concern is the baby. It used to be routine for hospital staff to take the baby from the mother following delivery. Now, many hospitals offer so-called gentle cesarean deliveries. Gentle C-section means that if the baby is doing well, it can be left to rest on the mother’s chest or be held by another caregiver while the surgeon sews up the incision in the mother’s abdomen.

It is important for people to ask if this is an option before the procedure, and to communicate their wishes about the care of the baby with medical staff.

The first 24 hours following a C-section present many of the same challenges as a vaginal delivery. These include the mother adjusting to new parenthood, attempting breastfeeding, and fielding visitors. People who undergo cesarean deliveries face additional challenges.

Most people recovering from a C-section stay in the hospital 2 to 4 days.

Blood clots

One of the biggest risks of C-section is developing a blood clot in the leg. This is more likely in people who are overweight or who remain immobile for long periods. Women who are unable to walk may have special cuffs on their legs designed to keep the blood moving. Otherwise, if they are able to walk, it is essential for them to get up and move around as quickly as possible.

Cramps

In the first 24 hours, it is common to feel pain at the site of the incision. Many

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How long after C-section does it stop hurting?

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You’ll probably be in hospital for 1 or 2 days after a caesarean section, and may need to take things easy for several weeks. Most women can leave hospital 1 or 2 days after having a caesarean section.

While in hospital:

• When you’re well enough to go home, you’ll need to arrange for someone to give you a lift as you will not be able to drive for a few weeks.
• Your midwife should also advise you on how to look after your wound.

You’ll usually be advised to:

• Non-dissolvable stitches or staples will usually be taken out by your midwife after 5 to 7 days.
• The wound in your tummy will eventually form a scar. This will usually be a horizontal scar about 10 to 20cm long, just below your bikini line.
• In rare cases, you may have a vertical scar just below your bellybutton.

The scar will probably be red and obvious at first, but should fade with time and will often be hidden by your pubic hair. On darker skin, the scar tissue may fade to leave a brown or white mark.

Most women experience some discomfort for the first few days after a caesarean, and for some women the pain can last several weeks. You should make sure you have regular painkillers to take at home for as long as you need them, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Aspirin and the stronger painkiller codeine present in co-codamol is not usually recommended if you’re breastfeeding. Your doctor will be able to advise you on the most suitable painkiller for you to take.

You may also have some vaginal bleeding. Use period pads rather than tampons to reduce the risk of spreading infection into the vagina, and get medical advice if the bleeding is heavy.

Try to stay mobile and do gentle activities, such as going for a daily walk, while you’re recovering to reduce the risk of blood clots. Be careful not to overexert yourself.

You should be able to hold and carry your baby once you get home. But you may not be able to do some activities straight away, such as:

• [List of activities that may be restricted]

Only start to do these things again when you feel able to do so and do not find them uncomfortable. This may not be for 6 weeks or so. Ask your midwife for advice if you’re unsure when it’s safe to start returning to your normal activities. You can also ask a GP at your 6-week postnatal check.

Contact your midwife or a GP straight away if you have any of the following symptoms after a caesarean:

These symptoms may be the sign of an infection or blood clot, which should be treated as soon as possible.

Page last reviewed: 04 January 2023

Next review due: 04 January 2026

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How do I know when my C-section is completely healed?

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Many moms who’ve delivered their babies via cesarean section have a love-hate relationship with their C-section scar. “I don’t like having a scar, but when I see it I’m reminded that I brought four healthy children into the world,” says Megan C. in New York, who delivered each of her four children via C-section. “It’s like a badge of honor.”

C-section scars are marks left on a mother’s belly following the surgical procedure used to deliver a baby through incisions made in the abdomen and uterus; for some women, they may fade quietly over time. For others, a C-section scar might bulge, stay red or remain overt in other ways.

The empowering truth is that your C-section incision scar is a prime emblem of motherhood and the remarkable feat your body accomplished. Whether you end up having a C-section by choice or necessity, knowing what to expect postpartum and how to foster healing (physically and mentally) can help set the stage for C-section recovery.

Want to know what your C-section scar may look like, how to care for it during the healing process and the scar-minimizing steps you can (and can’t) take in the coming weeks? Read on for the full lowdown.

In this article:

• What your C-section scar may look like
• C-section scar healing
• How to care for your C-section scar
• What to do for C-section scar discomfort
• How to minimize C-section scarring
• Frequently asked questions

Typically, a C-section scar is small (about 4 to 6 inches) and pink, but there are several factors that can affect its appearance. How your scar turns out mostly depends on your body type and C-section incision type.

The biggest factor that ultimately affects how your C-section scar looks is the type of incision your ob-gyn uses to deliver baby. Here are the most common types of C-section incisions:

• Transverse C-section scar. It’s standard practice for OBs to use the Pfannenstiel incision—more commonly called a bikini cut—low on a patient’s belly, says Courtney Barnes, MD, an ob-gyn at University of Missouri Health Care. “Cosmetically, it just looks better,” she says. It’s typically about 4 to 6 inches long and situated below your underwear line. Most importantly, this type of C-section scar is less likely to rupture during later pregnancies.

  Image: Transverse, or bikini cut, C-section scar. lavizzara | Getty Images

• Vertical C-section scar. Known as a classical cesarean section, this 4- to 6-inch up-and-down cut allows OBs quicker access to baby during an emergency C-section and easier access to a preterm baby. “For women who are obese, they’ll have less wound infection and problems with a vertical incision,” says Barnes. In the event of a pregnancy complication that results in having to do a hysterectomy at the same time, the vertical cut makes the procedure easier, according to research.

  Image: Vertical C-section scar. U2M Brand | Shutterstock

Each surgeon has their own style of closing the wound, notes Barnes, and most techniques used today foster scar healing, helping to minimize the mark over time.

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Do and don’ts after C-section delivery?

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When can I start bending over after a c-section?

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Baby has been delivered, the surgery was a success, and there’s plenty of cause to celebrate. Despite taking a massive step forward in your journey, it’s crucial not to underestimate the importance of recovering properly. A caesarean section is a major surgical procedure, and it requires that you carefully follow a set of recommended steps to ensure that you make it to full health in good time. In this blog, we’ll get you prepared for your c-section recovery, so you know what to expect right from the moment baby is delivered.

After delivering baby through a caesarean birth, you’ll most likely spend one to two days in the hospital following the procedure. During your stay in the hospital, you may be feeling a little discomfort so the midwives will support you with painkillers – it’s really important to accept these to manage your pain. You will also have a catheter in your bladder for around 12 hours following the surgery. You will be encouraged to get up and about as soon as possible and you will have regular close contact with baby meaning you can establish breastfeeding if you choose to.

When it’s time to go home, you will need someone to come and bring you home as you won’t be able to drive for a few weeks. There’s no feeling like returning home with your new baby, but it’s important to remember that you still need time to recover, especially following a caesarean section. It’s likely that you will still be in pain for the first few days of your return which may possibly last for a few weeks. Stock up on painkillers for your recovery to combat pain and discomfort. Paracetamol or ibuprofen are recommended over aspirin or codeine as the latter contain co-codamol which should be avoided when breastfeeding.

You’ll also experience vaginal bleeding called lochia which may last from around 4-6 weeks. Avoid using tampons during this time as it will increase the risk of spreading infection to the vagina – Maternity Pads are your saving grace here.

During a caesarean section, the surgery involves making an incision through several layers of tissue to access the uterus and deliver the baby. After the procedure, your wound will be covered with a dressing while the wound begins to close, keeping infection out. Your midwife will advise you on how to take care of the wound and the advice will be along the lines of:

• From 10 days, once your midwife has checked your scar and confirmed no sign of infection, using a C-Section Hydrogel Pad can help protect your healing wound whilst providing cooling, soothing relief.

Eventually this wound will become a horizontal scar around 10 to 20cm long located below your bikini line – in some cases women will have a vertical scar below the belly button depending on the nature of the caesarean. It’s completely normal to feel a little anxious to get back to regular life but remind yourself that you’ve been through a surgical procedure, and you need time to recover. There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to recovery, and you must stay in.

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How long should I bed rest after a c-section?

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About 1 of every 3 newborns in the United States are delivered by cesarean section, or C-section. That’s when the baby comes out through a cut in the mother’s belly and uterus rather than going through the birth canal and coming out through the vagina. Afterward, you can expect to spend 2-3 days in the hospital with your new little one as you recover.

Most women are awake for the C-section, and you should be able to hold your baby right away. You’ll be taken to a recovery room, where nurses will check your blood pressure, heartbeat, and breathing and keep an eye on you. You may feel sick to your stomach, groggy, or itchy from the drugs used to numb you during the surgery. You may be given a pump so you can change the amount of pain medication that’s going through a thin tube into your veins.

In the days after surgery, you can expect: Your doctor will send you home with detailed instructions — for instance, how long to keep your cut bandaged and how often to change bandages.

Aqui estão algumas dicas para cuidar da sua incisão de C-section:

• A área ao redor dos pontos, grampos ou fita na sua barriga ficará dolorida nos primeiros dias. Mantenha-a limpa para evitar infecções.
• Você pode fazer algumas outras coisas para acelerar sua recuperação:

• Coma alimentos ricos em fibras e refeições menores e mais frequentes. Experimente um suplemento de fibras se você estiver com constipação.
• Você pode começar a amamentar quase imediatamente. Seu corpo fará leite tão rapidamente quanto após um parto vaginal.

Aqui está o que você precisa saber:

Medicações: Você provavelmente recebeu medicamento para aliviar a dor, como um epidural, durante sua C-section, mas isso não deve afetar muito o bebê. Seu bebê pode estar sonolento, mas isso deve passar e ele deve estar ansioso para mamar. Você pode ser tentada a pedir ao seu médico para reduzir sua medicação para dor, mas é importante que você permaneça confortável. A dor pode interferir no hormônio que ajuda você a produzir leite. Se você tiver alguma dúvida sobre como os medicamentos que você recebe podem afetar a amamentação, peça para conversar com o especialista em amamentação do hospital.

Posições de amamentação: O local da cirurgia pode dificultar encontrar uma posição confortável para amamentar seu bebê. Você pode colocar um travesseiro sobre o seu estômago para aliviar o peso do bebê, ou experimentar essas:

É importante sair da cama e caminhar dentro de 24 horas após a cirurgia. Isso pode ajudar a aliviar dores gasosas, ajudar você a ter um movimento intestinal e prevenir coágulos sanguíneos.

Você pode tentar exercícios leves alguns dias após a C-section: Tente não fazer muito trabalho doméstico ou outras atividades nas primeiras duas semanas. Verifique com seu médico antes de retornar a qualquer uma dessas atividades, mas, em geral, você terá que esperar:

• Obtenha a autorização do seu médico antes de ter relações sexuais novamente.

Assim que você voltar para casa, verifique o local da sua cirurgia regularmente em busca de sinais de infecção. Aqui estão algumas coisas que você precisaria informar ao seu médico:

Você provavelmente verá seu médico cerca de 6 semanas após o parto. Eles verificarão sua vagina, colo do útero e útero, bem como seu peso e pressão arterial.

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How do I know when my c-section is healed?

C-section scar recovery\n\n Your wound will take about 6 weeks to heal. You will have a scar but this will fade over time. Your scar will be 10-20cm long and is usually just below your lower tummy. It will be red at first but will fade over time.

How long does it take for organs to settle after a c-section?

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To speed up recovery after a cesarean delivery (C-section), people can try lifestyle and wellness methods, such as resting and gentle exercise. C-sections are common, accounting for an estimated 31.9 percent of all deliveries in the United States. Although common, a C-section involves major stomach surgery. The procedure can be lifesaving for both the mother and baby, but it can carry risks and may take a long while to recover from afterward. Self-care, setting reasonable expectations, and having a supportive medical team can make the recovery from a cesarean section easier.

Many guides suggest that full recovery from a C-section takes 4 to 6 weeks. Yet every person is different, and much research suggests a significantly longer recovery time. Some studies, for example, have found that 60 percent of women have some pain in the incision 24 weeks after delivery. A trusted doctor, a supportive community of other people who have had cesarean deliveries, and a willingness to ask questions can help with understanding the recovery process.

Most women undergoing a C-section receive an epidural or spinal block. This form of anesthesia numbs the body but still allows the person to be awake. It can take several hours to regain feeling after an epidural. It will not be possible to walk or use the bathroom without assistance, during this immediate postoperative period. Most women will have a catheter for several hours after delivery to help them urinate.

If general anesthesia is needed, waking up can take some time. A woman may feel groggy, nauseated, afraid, or confused as she comes out of anesthesia.

For many new parents, the most significant concern is the baby. It used to be routine for hospital staff to take the baby from the mother following delivery. Now, many hospitals offer so-called gentle cesarean deliveries. Gentle C-section means that if the baby is doing well, it can be left to rest on the mother’s chest or be held by another caregiver while the surgeon sews up the incision in the mother’s abdomen. It is important for people to ask if this is an option before the procedure, and to communicate their wishes about the care of the baby with medical staff.

The first 24 hours following a C-section present many of the same challenges as a vaginal delivery. These include the mother adjusting to new parenthood, attempting breastfeeding, and fielding visitors. People who undergo cesarean deliveries face additional challenges. Most people recovering from a C-section stay in the hospital 2 to 4 days.

Blood clots

One of the biggest risks of C-section is developing a blood clot in the leg. This is more likely in people who are overweight or who remain immobile for long periods. Women who are unable to walk may have special cuffs on their legs designed to keep the blood moving. Otherwise, if they are able to walk, it is essential for them to get up and move around as quickly as possible.

Cramps

In the first 24 hours, it is common to feel pain at the site of the incision. Many.

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