Anyone Out There Had a C-section That Did Not Close?

I have had 2 c-sections. One that was really deep so when they took my staples out it had not closed either. I was put on antibiotics and packing. After about 2 weeks I Was able to see it closing. Keep it dry you can even use a blow dryer to dry it after you shower... but once it is closed just put some vitamin e oil and some hemp on it... those two will help it not only lighten but also keep the skin from discoloring. Mine looks fine. It took it about 6 months to be completley done healing.

Due to a placental abruption, I had a c section with my one and only munchkin. My incision also did not heal on its own, and I had to have a nurse and my husband pack the wound. I eventually ended up having a wound vac which is a bit of a pain, but speeds the healing process up dramatically. My son was born 3/20/07 and the wound finally completely closed the first week in July 2007! So be patient. It's unfortunately a slow healing process. You may want to look into the wound vac to speed it up. I found that my OB GYN wasn't prepared to deal with the healing process of a wound. The wound therapists definitely had a better idea how to speed up the process. I'm pretty sure most hospitals have a wound therapy division. Ours was part of the physical therapy department. The scar isn't too bad though, which is remarkable considering how horrible it looked at one point. I wouldn't even look at it for most of the healing process. You're not alone and I felt the same way.

Hi A.,

I had the same problem with my second child. It took like three months for it to heal correctly It does not show at all, just try your best to keep it clean and let it get some air it really help the process.

I am going through the exact same situation right now! I can't believe ithappened to you too. It has happened with 2 of my c-sections. But this time when he removed the staples, the entire right side opened up about an inch deep. thankfully my mom used to be a nurse so she is able to come and clean it and all and we aren't packing it bc the dr said its better to let it heal on its own from the inside out. But don't stress about the scar. It may be a little darker or wider where it opened but otherwise you can't tell. And the longer it has been since the c-section, the lighter the scar will be. and now a days, they are so low that you truly can't even see it with a bikini on. Good luck though and take care of yourself. Don't overdue it. Let yourself heal and don't lift anything heavy that might make it open more or tear things inside. I have 3 boys ages 3,1,and 1mth so i'm right there with you and i understand exactly what you are going through

I had four c-sections. I had trouble with my third c-section, part of the incision opened and became infected. I was on antibiotics for 10 days and had a nurse come to my house every day for a few weeks. It did heal nicely and, thankfully, I had no problems with my fourth c-section. Good luck to you hon. My best advice is to take your pain medicine 30 minutes to an hour before your nurse gets there. My nurse used to call me on her way, because it was a 30 - 45 minute drive for her to my home.

A part of my incision opened up and then healed on it's own. The scar there is a LITTLE bit wider than the rest but not terribly. I hope you heal well. Take good care of yourself!

Hi,
I feel your pain and stress. I had my 2nd csection April 29th. The day I came home from the hospital, my incision split open. I was pouring blood. It was like something you see at the movies. It scared my husband and I to death! The dr packed my incision and I had it cleaned daily. I went through 3 bottles of antibiotics due to the incision getting infected. When it finally started closing about 6 to 8 weeks, they had to cut half of it back open due to it not healing properly. They did this a total of 3 times. With my first csection, it was a breeze. They second one was a total disaster! We did have a beautiful, healthy baby girl and that was the only thing that kept me going... along with my husband and our son. I pray you heal fast and don't have any of the other problems that I experienced. You need to take it easy and try to do as little as possible. I slept in our downstairs guest room for over 2 months so I would not have to walk up the stairs and pull anything. Good luck with everything. It is very stressful I know. I was a basket case for 3 months, afraid to even move. I hope I did not scare you to death but I never knew this kind of stuff happened with csections.
Take care,
C.

I had a c-section 2 1/2 years ago. I am overweight and I am sure that added to the problem, but my incision came apart, too,after about 2 weeks of being home. (I also had a very hard time sitting still and did housework and things I wasn't supposed to do, too.) At first, my husband helped clean and bandage it for me, but because of fear of infection, I had to go to the doctor every 1- 2 days and have it cleansed and re-packed with some sort of drainage gauze as well as take an antibiotic. It was not the most pleasant thing in the world and definitely not convenient considering I was in a good deal of pain and couldn't drive, but after 3 or so weeks, it closed up enough and then eventually healed. My scar is no worse than any other c-section scars I have seen and I do take pride in it! I went through pure hell during my entire pregnancy and recovery(and now have the scar to prove it!), but would not change one minute of it. I know it is frustrating an uncomfortable, but it will be ok. Hang in there and good luck.

I had lots of surgery at 16.When it closes and heals rub vitamin E oil on it after showering it does lighten them.

My daughter had trouble with her 2nd c-section as it did not close or completely heal. It was awful. Always leaking and looked disgustig. They tried burning it to seal, and some type of powder to try to make it close. Finally after 6 months the doctor went in took out some fatty tissue, recut the incision and used the regular stiches to close her up. This time she healed much better. However, even now 2 years later, periodicly one side will open up a little to drain then close back up on its on. Good luck with yours. C. J., Meansville, GA

A.,
My friend and I are baby nurse (home from the hospital)
and professional nannies. The family she has been with
for thirteen years. Each birth(3)were c-sections to make
a long story short she's Jamician. To heal from the inside
out she makes a cornmeal poridge and have recommended this
to a few of many new mothers and they swear by this. If
you would like the recipe or speak with her let me know.

Sheila

Hello A. and congrats on your new baby... I too have had 3 c-sections (years ago) and know how you feel. First of all PLEASE don't worry about what it's going to look like after it heals. Chalk it up to a love scar. What you need to be concerned with it just the healing. If you have to go to another Doctor go. Also do what the Doctor tells you to do which is hard with kids about the house. For right now you have to take care of yourself first... Accept help & feel better soon.....................

Hi A.,
It happened to me, too. It took about 6 weeks to close up. The nurse came for a month, then towards the end my husband took over the job of cleaning and bandaging. Ugh. The main thing is to make sure it doesn't get infected. Yours must not be, so that is a good thing.

It's a very hard thing to deal with, considering you have a new baby and two children. And you will have to schedule that nurse's visits each day, and probably doctor visits every week or so. Allow yourself to cry about it, when you have a chance away from the children. Find someone who can listen and not tell you how to "fix it."

Now is the time to really take it easy and take care of yourself. If you can get any help from family or a sitter, do it. Accept help from friends. Don't overexert yourself while you are healing, if you can help it.

As far as how it will look, it's different with everybody I guess. 22 months later, my scar kind of pokes in a bit on that side, and my belly puffs out right above it. I had something similar, but less noticeable, happen with my first C-section (I've had 2). With clothes on, it looks just fine.

Email me if you'd like to talk more.