Almost one in three children in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland is now born by cesarean section. The operation is usually remembered later by a narrow scar just above the pubic bone. At first, it can be quite noticeable. However, if you pay attention to a few small details, it may be visible only as a fine white line within a few months. In this article, we’ll show you how you can support not only the external but also the internal healing of your scar. You’ll also find a guide to a healing scar massage.

The Cesarean section , medically known as a "cesarean section," owes its name to the myth that the Roman Emperor Caesar was brought into the world this way. Today, no one can confirm this, but the fact is that this method of delivery is now common practice. The approximately 10 to 20 cm long incision is closed at the end of the operation with a suture or clips. The wound seals within a few hours, and after five to ten days, the stitches can be removed or the clips taken out. After three weeks, the outer wound is usually well healed. Your scar will likely still be red and slightly swollen at first. It may take up to a year to reach its final appearance. But as soon as the scab has fallen off, you can start with scar care and help make your scar as inconspicuous as possible. Scar care isn’t only helpful for aesthetic reasons: after a cesarean section, sensory disturbances such as numbness or tingling can occur in the scar area if muscle fibers and nerve endings were affected during the procedure. With targeted stimulation, you can support their regeneration.

Duschen statt baden

Usually, there’s nothing wrong with showering the day after your cesarean section—of course, only if you already feel well enough. You can then gently pat the wound dry with a clean towel. Avoid using shower products in the first few days to prevent irritating the wound. However, once the stitches or clips have been removed, using shower gel and soap is generally unproblematic. It’s best to wait a little longer before taking a full bath until the cesarean scar has fully healed, so the tissue doesn’t soften too much beforehand.

Lockere Kleidung tragen

To keep clothing from chafing your scar and to avoid pressure on the area, switch to soft, loose underwear and pants during the initial period. You’ll know best when you can start wearing tight jeans again without discomfort.

Nicht schwer heben

Once the external wound has healed, it’s easy to forget that a major procedure also took place internally. Those internal injuries take significantly longer to heal than what you can see from the outside. Therefore, avoid heavy lifting in the first few months after a cesarean section. For example, carry large grocery loads into the apartment in several trips. Your body’s signals are the best guide to how much you can handle. You can usually carry your baby without worry from the beginning.

Einen Bauchgurt tragen

During pregnancy, the abdominal muscles stretch significantly. An abdominal belt can support your belly after birth and help with postpartum recovery. This can also be helpful after a vaginal birth, but especially after a cesarean section, many women appreciate the stabilizing feeling because they can only start postpartum exercises later due to the surgery.

Sonnenlicht vermeiden

Protect your C-section scar from direct sunlight. As with any scar tissue, the skin’s ability to pigment is impaired there, so UV radiation can cause a permanent light or dark discoloration of the scar. In everyday life, it’s probably easy to protect it from the sun due to its location. ;) Only when visiting a tanning salon or sunbathing should you avoid exposing it during the first year.

Narbenmassagen durchführen

Once your scar has healed externally, you can start massaging it regularly. This can have several positive effects: first, massage helps keep the tissue supple so your scar doesn’t feel tight or pull unpleasantly against the surrounding area. It also stimulates blood circulation and supports the body’s natural wound healing. Finally, the stimulation can aid the regeneration of nerve cells, which may help with numbness. For the massage, you can use, for example, a natural ointment or a calendula ointment. The latter also has anti-inflammatory and swelling-reducing effects. Due to its antibacterial properties, St. John’s wort oil is also suitable as an alternative for scar massage. Special scar creams are usually not necessary. The positive effect of massage is more likely triggered by touch than by the product you apply. When massaging, try not to pull your scar apart. Instead, stroke in circular motions toward it, or run two fingers along the right and left sides of the scar. We have compiled other massage techniques in our infographic. Ideally, perform the massage twice a day for 5 to 10 minutes. The touches should never be painful or uncomfortable for you!

You can use these techniques—individually or in combination—during a simple but effective scar massage:

Im Zweifel Deine Hebamme fragen oder zum Arzt gehen

During postpartum care, your midwife will regularly check the healing progress of your C-section scar and make sure everything is in order. Usually, the injuries from the procedure heal very smoothly. At first, bluish bruising or fluid collections in the form of small lumps around the wound may occur. This is completely normal. They are usually broken down by the body within two to three weeks. Even if your scar starts to itch at some point, you don’t need to worry. On the contrary, it can be a sign that your wound is healing. The itching is caused by severed nerve endings being irritated by growing connective tissue. However, if anything seems unusual to you, don’t hesitate to speak to your midwife or your doctor about it. For example, if your scar begins to throb unpleasantly or suddenly hurts after previously improving, it could be a sign of an infection. Also, if you have a fever, intense burning, or discharge of wound fluid, blood, or pus, you should always contact your midwife or your doctor as quickly as possible.

Sissis Tipp: Ein Narbenpflaster verwenden

If you’re struggling with poor wound healing and a raised scar, our expert recommends a special silicone patch. It seals the scar area airtight and watertight, which increases the skin temperature in that spot. This stimulates metabolic processes and supports the regeneration of connective tissue. The patch, which you can get at any pharmacy, helps make your scar flatter and paler. However, you should only use it after the wound has fully closed and the stitches or clips have been removed.

Some women see their scar as a supposed flaw and can hardly wait for it to become less noticeable. It usually takes at least six months for the incision to start fading. So be patient with your scar. And even if it remains more noticeable despite care and massages, your cesarean scar is nothing to be ashamed of. After all, it is a permanent reminder of something beautiful—the arrival of your little explorer!