Are you unsure of how to maintain an c-section incision dry when overweight?
When a natural delivery is no longer the safest option, C-section is performed by cutting the belly and uterus to facilitate the safe delivery of a baby or infant. I experienced the same issue when I was recovering from c-section.
How to keep C-Section Incision Dry When Overweight? To dry the area, pat it dry instead of rubbing it with a wet towel. When the skin has grown back over the incision, try covering it with some dry cloth. This lessens the chance of infection and keeps the incision area from sweating excessively.
About 32% of the deliveries in the US are by C-Section. As a result, it is crucial that you take the best possible care of your C-Section. This becomes more crucial if you are overweight. A typical C-Section can be abdominal or Vaginal. Maintaining your incision’s dryness can be challenging, especially if you’re plus size.
In this article, I will discuss why you need to keep your surgical incision dry, why recovery from C-Section is challenging for overweight women, and how to keep your incisions dry when overweight.
So, let’s get started:
How To Keep a C-Section Incision Dry When Overweight?
When you return from the hospital, your incision may be closed with staples or stitches, and some bandages may be over it. For women who are overweight, the hanging belly over the cut makes it more susceptible to infections and prevents it from drying.
Never massage the region dry; always pat it with a fresh bath towel. For the first couple of days, some women might feel more at ease cleaning their bodies and the incision site gently with a towel rather than entering the shower.
Try putting some dry towels over the cut when the skin gets over the incision. This prevents the incision area from getting a lot of sweat and lowers the risk of infection. You may also lie flat on your back, opening the area to dry air.
Ask your spouse to help you by blowing the region with your hair dryer on the cold setting for a few minutes as you gently lift your tummy with both hands. This can be done quickly to prevent moisture from building up.
If there is no one you can ask for help, have a table fan and stand in front of it while gently lifting your belly. But remember not to over-stress your body through this, and it can generate sweat.
You can use a conventional sanitary pad by adhering to your underwear with the sticky side after adhering to the softer absorbing side of the wound. Make careful you replace it frequently.
Wear high-waisted underwear and loose-fitting clothes for the first several weeks. This will keep the cloth from irritating the wound.
Using cloth diapers can help a lot; try putting them under your belly to help absorb the moisture. Make sure you replace it with a clean one now and then.
Why Do You Need To Keep Your Incision Dry?
When you undergo a surgical cesarean section, it is important to check the cut as bacteria may develop around that. It would be best if you kept your incision dry cause you don’t want it to be a hub of infection. If you wear a bandage, make sure to replace it daily. Before and after, thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water.
After 24 hours of your surgery, try keeping your incision dry to heal it efficiently. So, forego the bath or shower, but a sponge bath is typically ok.
Why Do Overweight Women Have Problems Healing From C-section Wounds?
The wound that is caused by the C-Section poses a challenge, and for that, care needs to be taken. But, when you are plus size, you must be more cautious about taking care of your incision. For overweight women, the skin is more, which poses a problem, as more skin would cover the wound, meaning more sweat, which may increase the chances of infection.
Also, the fat under the skin has poor blood flow, which results in less oxygenated blood being transported to the part where the skin is under a Cesarean section. So, the more fat you have, the poorer the blood supply is, and this causes hindrance in healing the wound.
Since obesity negatively affects the immune system, making them more vulnerable to infections.
Women who are overweight have more fatty tissues around the midsection. And the incision on these tissues releases excessive colorless and odorless fluid. If the liquid amasses, then it makes the surroundings moist and can trigger infections.
Here are some tips to help your C-Section heal and some post-delivery care:
Some FAQs
Q1: Is It normal For a C-Section Incision to be Moist?
If you are experiencing any moisture around the incision, don’t panic, as it is completely normal. You may also experience some pain around the cut, which is quite normal. But if the pain becomes unbearable, then immediately contact your doctor.
Q2: What Causes the Smell of My C-Section Scar?
If your cut is smelly, then it may have got an infection. Instead, if your scar is clean and dry, it should not smell. It may also happen that the fluid in the fatty tissues may have accumulated in and around the incision, which may have caused an infection. It is highly advisable to see your doctor as soon as possible.
Q3: C-Section Internal Stitches Healing Time?
It will take around 6 weeks for your wound to heal. There will be a scar, but it will vanish with time. You can get itchy while your incision heals. This is both highly typical and prevalent. In actuality, the healing process includes wound itching. When the wound has recovered, this will go away.
Q4: Recovery Tips for C-Section?
Take enough rest, and have a self-care routine for yourself. Drink a lot of water to keep yourself hydrated, and having a healthy diet can boost your immune system. Apart from this, take a short talk daily to improve your metabolism. Wearing comfortable clothes can keep your cut dry.
Usually, being a little cautious with your wound and taking proper rest will do you so well. If you feel anything unusual and spot any bleeding, immediately contact your doctor. Have easy-to-do exercises, and don’t push them as they can split open the wound.
Conclusion:
Each lady is different. Their bodies respond differently to a C-section wound. Even if you follow all the instructions exactly, problems may still arise. Watch for any signs of infection or other C-section issues at the site of your incision and contact your doctor right away if you do.
Alternately, maybe I overlooked something.
In either case, please let me know as soon as possible by posting a comment below.
