Like most expectant mothers, during my pregnancy, I spent a lot of time thinking about giving birth and meeting my new baby for the first time. I did not, however, spend any time wondering how to keep my c-section scar dry! If you have a Cesarean section booked in or have just given birth via the sunroof and have been searching for answers to the question of how to keep my c-section incision dry, you can find all the tips and information you need right here.
How to Keep C-section Incision Dry From Sweat For Better Healing
During the c-section recovery process, women are advised to keep their incisions as dry as possible. But how to keep my C-section incision dry is a question many new moms ask themselves. The best way to prevent moisture from building up around your scar is to keep it exposed to the air. However, you canât sit with your pants down 24 hours a day! If you are wondering what to use to keep a c-section incision dry, placing a sanitary pad or cloth diaper across your scar will help to keep moisture away, as will wearing loose cotton clothing and high-waisted underwear.
Can C-section Scars Get Wet?
During a c-section delivery, an incision is made into a womanâs abdomen which needs to be stitched up after the baby is born. Several layers of muscle and connective tissues are sutured back together and this leaves a horizontal wound, just below the bikini line.
In the days and weeks following your c-section, it is important to keep your incision as dry as possible. Preventing moisture from building up on your healing skin will help to keep bacteria out and stop any infection from forming. But donât worry, this doesnât mean you canât wash – every mom remembers how desperate they were to have a shower after giving birth! You do need to be careful though, keeping your incision dry will help the natural healing process and prevent unwanted moisture from causing any problems.
While the American Pregnancy Association recommends not bathing until your c-section scar is completely healed (usually around 6 weeks postpartum), you do need to keep your wound clean, and showering in the first day or so after surgery is usually possible for most new mothers. When showering, use a mild soap or just allow the warm water to run over your abdomen, scrubbing your c-section incision can be harmful so approach washing that area with great care.
After washing, it is important that you dry the incision area as thoroughly as possible. Air drying is the best option here, but you can gently pat it with a towel. Remember, harmful germs thrive in damp environments and if any bacteria enters your section incision, you could become very unwell with an infection.
How To Keep My C-section Dry
Now you know, you donât need to go skipping showers after having a c-section but you do need to try your best to keep the incision site clean and dry. However, this can be easier said than done, especially because new mothers often experience intense periods of sweating after giving birth,
As your estrogen and progesterone levels drop back down to normal and your body gets rid of all the extra fluid it built up during pregnancy, you may experience spells of excessive perspiration.
Postpartum sweating – particularly night sweats – is extremely common but may cause anxiety for new moms trying to keep their c-section scar dry. The night sweats will ease as your body adjusts to not being pregnant anymore but there are several steps you can take to effectively care for your c-section scar while you are still sweating buckets.
What to use to Keep C Section Incision Dry
You donât need to spend another moment wondering what to use to keep a c-section incision dry, here is a list of tried and tested methods:
- Use a sanitary pad – I know, with the thick postpartum pads you have to wear after giving birth, you probably donât want anything else in your underwear. Hear me out, okay? If your c-section scar is feeling moist, you may find that your skin is sticking to your pants and clothes. This can easily be avoided by gently placing the absorbent side of a sanitary pad horizontally over your scar and sticking the adhesive side to your underwear. The pad will wick any moisture away and keep your scar nice and dry.
- Wear high-waisted underwear – After a c-section, you donât want anything pressing on your scar and that includes your underwear. You will likely be wearing humongous panties anyway, but just in case, make sure you have some high-waisted cotton underwear ready to wear during your recovery. As cotton is a natural fiber known for its breathable qualities, you donât have to worry about your underwear making you too hot and causing the skin around your scar to sweat.
- Wear loose-fitting clothes – If you are panicking about sweating and making your c-section incision moist, try to wear clothes that keep you at a comfortable temperature. Opt for loose-fitting dresses or cotton pants with a high elasticated waist. Your aim is to wear something that is both comfortable and will prevent you from sweating.
- Expose the scar – When you are in the comfort of your own home, make sure you spend some time each day exposing your c-section scar. Uncovering your incision and allowing it to âbreatheâ will stop moisture from building up. This is also the best way to dry your scar after a shower, you donât need to touch it with a towel when air drying is just as effective.
- Place gauze on the incision – I havenât tried this myself, but some women have found that placing gauze over their healing c-section wound helps to keep moisture away from the healing skin. You may wish to consult with your doctor, but anecdotal evidence seems to suggest this is particularly helpful for women with a scar âoverhangâ.
- Dry with a blow dryer – This is another method of keeping a c-section scar dry that seems to be particularly popular with plus-size women and those who have a post-surgery âflapâ of hanging skin over their scar. Please make sure you have the blow dryer on the cool setting and donât hold it too close to your skin. You can use the blow dryer after bathing or if you are feeling particularly sweaty.
- Cover with a cloth diaper – A little leakage during the first few days after a C-section is actually normal. The fluid that comes out of a c-section incision in those early days is made up of white blood cells, serum, and fibrin that are nutrient-dense and jump-start the healing process.
However, if you are finding your scar is easily becoming damp and you are worried about an infection forming, you can keep the area dry by placing a cloth diaper against your skin. Holding a soft diaper over your scar will pull moisture away and keep the scar dry.
Keeping your c-section scar dry shouldnât be too difficult, but I know what it is like having a new baby, and sometimes personal hygiene gets neglected. Check on your scar every day, monitor how red the skin is and if there are any unusual smells. If you have any concerns that an infection might be developing, it is essential that you contact your doctor. When caught early enough, a c-section scar infection can be easily treated with a course of strong antibiotics.
Once your scar has scabbed over and the skin beneath is healed, you can go back to bathing and showering as normal. After the scab has fallen off and you are left with your fully healed scar, you can stop worrying about keeping the skin dry all of the time. Now that the skin is safely knitted back together, there is less risk of an infection developing.
FAQS related to Keeping C-section Incision Dry
Is it normal for a c-section scar to be moist?
Some clear liquid seeping from your c-section scar in the first day or so after delivery is common. This clear liquid is full of nutrients and it helps your wound to begin to heal safely. However, when a section scar keeps getting moist, a foul odor arises and the surrounding skin becomes red, this is a sign of infection and a doctor will need to be contacted as soon as possible.
How do I know my c-section is healing?
It can take up to six weeks for your c-section to heal and there are moms out there who have a numb sensation in their abdomen for over a year. You can tell your c-section is healing as the inflammation and pain will reduce a little each day and the incision will become less puffy as the days go by and by 6-8 weeks you should be left with a thin pale pink line.
How long to keep C-section incision dry?
New moms are advised to keep their incision dry until it has fully healed, around 6 weeks postpartum. You can still shower during this time, but you will need to make sure the scar is fully dried afterward and no moisture is able to build up on the healing skin. After 6 weeks, bathing and submerging your scar in water should be ok, but it is always best to get professional medical advice from your doctor.
How can I make my c-section heal faster?
A C-section is major abdominal surgery and it is going to take time for your body to recover. It takes around 6 weeks for a c-section incision to fully heal and the final scar can take years to form. However, in the early days and weeks after a c-section, you can speed up the recovery process by resting, staying hydrated, engaging in gentle activities, avoiding lifting anything that weighs more than your newborn baby and keeping your incision site as dry and clean as you can. Taking good care of your c-section wound will help to prevent an infection. An infected scar can take a long time to heal so being vigilant and looking after your incision is very important.
5. What May Cause A Fever In A Healthy Baby Who Is Otherwise Unwell?
It is almost certain that a virus is at fault. It is possible that you will not be able to tell what is causing your fever until more symptoms arise. Twenty-four hours may be required. Most fevers are beneficial to sick children, especially in infants older than three months.
Conclusion
Keeping your c-section scar as clean and dry as possible in the weeks following your babyâs birth is essential for a safe recovery. If you have been wondering how to keep c-section scar dry from sweat, the best thing you can do is spend some time each day with your incision exposed to the air and let it just âbreatheâ.
Other methods moms use to keep their c-section incision dry include placing a sanitary pad or cloth diaper in their underwear, wearing loose-fitting clothing, and drying it with the cool setting on the blow dryer. If you notice your scar is moist and feels hot to the touch, this could be a sign of an infection and it is important that you seek medical advice from a doctor.
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