Know the C section risks, duration of the healing process, and all the other information you might need for faster recovery!
Being pregnant can be one of the most enriching experiences in a woman’s life. This is because carrying a child in her womb, feeling it inside growing and developing is something really special that generates a bond so strong that never breaks.
However, waiting for a baby brings with it a series of risks for both the baby and the mother. The most frequent complications are the complications that occur during childbirth.
That is why caesarean section has become one of the most successful procedures in solving the various dangers of giving birth.
Having fear and doubts is something completely normal. Here are 10 important things to know about the cesarean section.
1.- Let’s start at the beginning, what is a c-section?
For those who do not know, a cesarean section is an alternative to the natural procedure. It is performed to remove the baby from the womb when for various reasons it cannot leave the cervix. It is done by means of a vertical incision that is practiced in the inferior part of the belly from the navel or horizontal that is made lower down on the area of the bikini. The latter serves the purpose of being more discreet and to a lesser extent affect the aesthetic part of the procedure.
2.- Reasons for Caesarean section
Although there can be many reasons for having a C section, the major are the following ones: when the life of the baby or the mum are at risk; the baby is in an inadequate position to be able to go out naturally; when the baby is too big; the mother or the baby are in a special condition that does not allow them to carry out the delivery; when there is a multiple pregnancy; there is some last-minute difficulty, such as that the baby wraps around the umbilical cord and does not allow its birth.
3.- C section risks
C section is widely recognized as a safe surgical procedure. However like any other surgery there are C section risks. These are: infections, complications with anesthesia and depending heavily on the health of the mother problems of bleeding and clotting. In addition, the recovery is undoubtedly slower than that of natural childbirth. As for the baby, the C sections risks depend mainly on the experience of the doctor who’s doing the procedure as well as the health of the child.
4.- Approximate measures of the scar left by cesarean section
Although they are relative to the experience and criterion of each doctor, we can say that the average is between 10 and 15 centimeters (4 to 6 inches) in length and approximately 3mm in width.
5.- Duration of the healing process
As in the case of all other scars, everything depends on the body of each person. Some take longer than others to heal. However, an average of approximately four weeks can be established for the initial healing phase.
6.- Which is better, vertical cesarean or horizontal cesarean?
As I mentioned before, both are viable, however, the horizontal cesarean section is more advised. In the case of practicing the vertical there is a greater risk of rupturing the uterus (8- 10%) in future pregnancies. The risks of a ruptured uterus in a future pregnancy is only 1% with a horizontal incision.
As for the care:
7.- Can you wear a sash after a C-section?
Although there is no tacit prohibition, doctors advise not to use it as it may increase the risk of getting an infection due to lack of ventilation of the wound.
8.- Cleaning a cesarean scar
The care is very similar to any other type of wound. It is important that you stay very clean. For that reason, it is enough to apply water and soap, without rubbing it and without the water falling directly from the shower. You should dry it very well to prevent moisture from generating infection.
9.- Removal of the stitches
The time to do it can also vary according to the doctor and the body of the person. However, it is in average of 10 days. However, it is increasingly frequent to use the stitches that are reabsorbed, i.e. the body eliminates naturally. In this case it will not be necessary to go to the doctor and the stitches will disappear gradually. And the most important…
10.- Tips for a faster recovery
Rest, good hydration and following all the guidelines given by the doctor are the most important points. However, it is also good to:
- walk outdoors slow
- let the wound breathe for long periods
- refrain from lifting heavy things
- not doing strong exercises.
IMPORTANT: consulting your doctor before treating any home remedy or natural is essential. We present the positive experiences that our users send us or share on the internet. That is why it is always advisable the opinion of health professionals before carrying out any type of home or natural treatment.
Further info: Understanding The Truth Behind C-section Vs Natural Delivery – Which One Is Safer?
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