treatyourscars Are you one of the lucky ones whose scar is almost invisible? Or maybe you had a c-section with no pain meds and your scar is a little less than invisible? Maybe it’s not even noticeable but you know it’s there. Even if it’s not visible, chances are good that scar will be there for life. That’s because when a baby comes out of your vagina it emerges head down. As soon as the umbilical cord is cut, the baby immediately tries to flip itself over so it can get oxygen. When it can’t, or won’t, it starts to panic and push against the inside of your vagina and rectum. This causes the muscles in your perineal area to clench up and create a “cement” type scar that is extremely difficult—if not impossible—to un-scare.
C section scars are vertical scars that extend from the lower abdomen to the back of the pubic bone. These are usually caused by an abnormal connection between the perineum and the rectum, the rectovaginal septum, which is a ligament that connects the rectum to the vagina and the perineum. When this scar is present, it often appears during the first weeks of a baby’s life, and it is the reason why some women develop a horizontal scar on their perineum as well.
Your body’s healing process stalls, which can lead to scarring problems. A keloid scar occurs when the scar tissue extends beyond the original wound border, resulting in a knot of scar tissue around the incision.
C-section scars do not disappear, but you can minimize their appearance with non-surgical methods. Her scar can turn pink depending on the body type and type of C-section. If the scar is small (4 to 6 inches) or pink, several factors may affect its appearance.
The biggest factor affecting the appearance of the C-section scar is the type of incision that your OB-GYN used to deliver the baby. It is common practice for OB / GYNs to use a ladle handle cut, also known as a bikini cut, that is lower on the patient’s stomach, said Courtney Barnes, M.D., a gynecologist at the University of Missouri Health Care. But the same incisions are not always made in the abdomen or uterus.
Vaginal delivery by Caesarean section (VBAC) is not recommended for women with a classic incision. Classic incisions are made and are reserved for more complicated situations, such as placenta abnormalities or abnormalities in babies.
A variant of the standard is the vertical C-section, which starts at the navel and ends at the slip line. This is the most commonly used standard method, and it is often referred to as the classic cut, because it is no longer used so frequently to keep up with the specific circumstances. The vertical incision occurs when your doctor must withdraw your baby out of a position that requires some type of escape route that a horizontal incision cannot provide.
Surgeons usually make a horizontal incision in the uterus (lower back) during a cross section. If this is not possible or an emergency Caesarean section is performed, a vertical incision is made in the lower back (classic vertical). Unlike abdominal incisions, uterine incisions are usually 4 to 6 inches large enough to fit your baby’s head and body.
For the abdominal incision, the surgeon makes a vertical incision from the navel to the pubic line (the classic incision) or a horizontal incision through the lower abdomen next to each other (the bikini incision). The classic incision is the most painful and leaves the most noticeable scars, but it is necessary for emergency C-sections because the surgeon needs to get to your baby quickly. The bikini cut is less popular and less favoured because it tends to be less painful and has less visible healing, which is good news if you want to minimise scars.
Minimize scars from a C-section If you are lucky enough to have your C-section scar fully healed, you may have a thin line as a reminder of your surgery. If you have left a visible line behind, here are some tips to improve the appearance of your scar. You may feel self-conscious, so talk to your doctor about ways to minimize thick, irregular, or elevated scars at the interface, such as hypertrophic scars and keloids.
What the C-section scar looks like after healing depends on age and body type, Barnes says. Your body is prone to keloid scars, a tissue that extends from the incision of the C-section and can look lumpy and not smooth over time. Many women see their C-section scars thin and fade over time, but some scars can still protrude or remain reddish-purple.
Scar pain, bleeding, numbness and cramps may occur in the first few weeks after the procedure. If you notice heavy bleeding or wetness at the interface, red edges, increased scar pain in the C-section or fever above 100.4 degrees, call your doctor immediately for signs of infection. You may also have scars of C-section itching, so resist the urge to scratch the healing wound.
The operation is performed through two incisions, one into the lower abdomen and the other into the uterus. If you do not know what type of incision was made during your Caesarean section, you can find out by reviewing your medical records. In rare cases, surgeons can make horizontal or vertical incisions in the uterus which can result in a scar as an overturned T. This can happen if your previous cesarean section was not safe to deliver vaginally.
A horizontal c-cut is also called a bikini cut because it somehow follows the horizontal line that cuts through the bikini bottom. Women who are having twins or have a C-section need a vertical cut. Both the lower and the vertical classic incisions start at the lower abdomen and run down the middle of the stomach to the navel.
Postoperative care after a C-section represents the greatest challenge for women with regard to the aesthetic appearance of their scars. Removal of scarred tissue and reclosure can be covered on a case-by-case basis by insurance. Your incision will heal in a few months to a year, and your scars will fade.
Hypertrophic and keloid scars are two types of scar that form in response to surgery with a C-section. Stitches and surgical glue are used to close the C incision so that no scar is visible.
Another benefit of a horizontal C-section is that it is better because it is less bloody, takes longer to enter the abdomen and is limited compared to a vertical cut. Cuts are used more frequently than usual and are reserved for certain situations. For example, they can be performed during preterm birth when the baby is embedded in an unusual position in the uterus or in an emergency that requires immediate delivery.
Most babies head can fit through the four to six inches of skin so no cut is made under the pubic hair. Abdominal muscles can move but not be cut, so a horizontal incision must be made in the uterus. In rare cases, doctors make a vertical incision from the mother’s navel to the pubic bone.
