C-Section Wound Care: How To Care For Your Incision at Home

You delivered your baby via C-section and now have a low incision cut around the pubic area. You received your discharge papers and were hoping you’ll remember everything right after walking out the door. Now, you must be reading this post looking for instructions on how to care for your C-section wound.

Remembering the nurse’s instructions the day of discharge and the excitement of going home isn’t a great combo. 

So, my nurse tip for you is to work with your nurse closely in having 1:1 wound care instructions a day before your planned discharge. It will also be beneficial if a family member is present during this wound care teaching. 

This way, you can ask questions, clarify wound care steps, and be prepared when you go home. Don’t forget to ask what kind of closing method the doctor/surgeon used to close your incision. You’ll know later why it’s crucial.

In this post, you’ll learn about:

You must be feeling glad that finally, after 3-4 days in the hospital, home is waiting for you.

Now, you’re going to change into your home clothes, and the first thing you see is the bandaged area on your lower abdomen. 

How did the nurse say the wound care was? First, it’s necessary to follow your doctor’s instructions. If you forgot the instructions, your discharge papers would have your reminders. If you lost them for some reason, then keep on reading.

Your following questions would be how you will change the dressing properly and how long the c-section wound will heal.

When I had my two c-sections, it was reasonably easy to care for my wound despite the factors leading to them happening. Even though I was a post-surgical nurse at those times, my husband helped me for the first two days, and I took over afterward.

However, if you aren’t used to seeing surgical wounds, not to mention your incision wound. So then, hang in there, and I’ll walk you step by step in dressing and caring for your c-section wound.

How Do You Take Care of Your C-section Wound?

Firstly, if you have your spouse or someone at home who can help you, the better; however, if it’s just you, that’s okay; you can do this from top to bottom. 

Secondly, you will need to gather all the dressing materials ahead of time you’ll need before opening your current bandage. 

Then, get some loose-fitting clothes ready, so you can wear them after your shower and wound care.

Recommended Read: First-Time Mom? The Honest, Raw, and Obvious Truth

Take a Close Look at Your Wound

Your wound will look puffy for the first 2-3 days, and eventually, the slight swelling will subside.

There may be a subtle pinkish tone because of the cut. Severe redness is something else.

Your wound will also feel tender to touch. It usually goes away around 2-3 weeks.

Steps for C-Section Wound Care:

1. Open the bandage tape slowly, taut the skin on the opposite side, so you’ll not feel a hard tug on the tender skin. Remove it gently.

2. Inspect the incision area. Is there swelling? Mild to moderately raised? Is there a discharge? Blood, pus, or clear discharge? What about pain? Mild to severe pain?

3. If you have steri-strips (keep it in place) while you shower. DO NOT remove the strips or glue (skin adhesive), and just let the water run through your body. You can use mild soap on the wound area. DO NOT scrub the area.

4. DO NOT soak in a tub, hot tub, or swim. 

5. Pat dry the incision with a clean towel. DO NOT rub. 

6. If your doctor instructed you to keep the incision covered, use non-adherent gauze and paper tape to secure it. DO NOT put any cream unless directed and prescribed by your doctor.

7. Change your dressing once a day or when it is soiled (wet or dirty).

8. You may use your abdominal binder over the bandaged wound. When you’re moving about, the binder can help support your lower abdomen.

Important to note: The Steri-strips will fall off on their own in about seven days. However, if you have stitches, some may dissolve, and some may have to be taken off. For staple wound closures, the doctor will remove them before you are discharged, but sometimes you will have to follow up with your Obstetrician to remove them at a designated date.

How long does the wound healing take?

Your C-section wound will take about six weeks to heal in general initially. Every mom is different and depends on underlying circumstances or complications you’ll encounter at home.

Another thing not to feel alarmed about is the loss of sensation in the area of the incision. The numbness is normal, and it’ll come back over time. Although, some moms have reported to have not felt the sensation back around the scar.

What to watch out for? What to do?

Every time you change your wound dressing, always keep an eye for anything out of the ordinary. 

You can monitor the appearance, smell, healing progress, and everything about your wound.

Additionally, you can observe any abnormality on your C-section wound and around it and take the necessary steps to care and call for help immediately.

Signs and Symptoms of Wound Infection:

The wound is severely red, painful, and swollen.

There’s a pus-like discharge and not healing correctly.

The wound smells funky or a different smell.

A high fever (100.5ºF to 103ºF, or 38ºC to 39.4ºC) and chills.

You have severe lower abdominal pain not relieved by prescribed pain relievers.

Foul-smelling vaginal discharges (you can still have light bleeding even up to six weeks with a C-section)

It’s imperative to seek medical help immediately to prevent complications from your wound infection.

When does wound infection happen? 

Be vigilant in your wound healing and overall health.

Wound infection can happen before you leave the hospital, but most occur after a few weeks at home. Alert your doctor for any signs/symptoms above or anything you are concerned about. 

What will happen next if an infection occurs?

Your doctor will diagnose wound infection after carefully assessing the wound appearance, the progress of wound healing, any present bacteria, or presence of infection symptoms. 

Your doctor will provide treatment based on the wound condition and your health. For example, if there’s pus, the doctor may drain the wound using a syringe or make a small opening in the skin. The wound fluid taken may be sent to a lab for further diagnostic testing.

You may be given oral antibiotics to take at home. However, you may be re-admitted to the hospital for IV antibiotics therapy and wound care. 

If the doctor believes further investigation is needed, he may open your wound under anesthesia and make treatment recommendations. 

Complications of C-Section Wound Infections are as follows:

Wound Cellulitis – a skin infection of the deep layers of the skin when bacteria enter your skin.

Wound Abscess – a collection of pus build-up within the tissue of the body.

Sepsis – a life-threatening response to an infection, a complication affecting your organs, tissues and can cause death.

Other infections

Read here for more detailed information on Complications of Wound infections after a C-section.

What can you do to prevent infection?

Keep your C-section wound dry, clean, and intact. Do not scratch the area when itchy. Always wash your hands before and after tending to your incision. 

Follow your doctor’s postoperative wound care instructions. Then, contact your doctor as soon as you have any signs/symptoms of wound infection. 

When your wound heals, there’s going to be a noticeable scar across your lower abdomen. As time permits, the C-section scar will look flatter and lighter, or even the same color as your skin.

For information about C-Section Scar care, check here.

Your C-section Wound Opening Up

The incision wound can also open up, or rupture can be due to straining. Remember the instructions not to lift anything heavier than your newborn. It can be due to strenuous activities such as exercising too early or climbing a high flight of stairs.

Another reason for the wound to be closely monitored is the healing process. Moms can have poor wound healing and can be due to underlying medical conditions, such as obesity or diabetes.

Not enough oxygen around the wound can lead to the death of the surrounding areas, thereby preventing the site from healing. So you must make sure to inspect your wound daily closely.

In case of emergency, call 911 and seek immediate medical help.

In caring for your C-Section wound and Recovering

Your outlook after C-section surgery underlies how you are recovering overall. Your body will adjust as the days and weeks continue after your major surgery. Therefore, caring for your C-section wound will need you to follow methods for preventing infections and promoting proper wound healing.

Through careful c-section wound care, you’ll be able to heal and recover smoothly at home. So enjoy your newborn baby during this momentous time and stay healthy on the road to your full recovery.

Are you having a planned C-section? List down all your questions for your healthcare provider. Are you recovering from a C-section surgery at home? Make a note of the wound care tips in this post.

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