Caring for Your C-Section Scar
A Gentle Guide to Healing, Touch, and Honouring Your Body
You’ve brought a baby into the world — through strength, surrender, and surgery. Whether your caesarean was planned, unplanned, or somewhere in between, it was a birth. And now your body needs time, softness, and support to heal.
At Neutral Nest, we believe recovery deserves just as much care as the arrival itself. So here’s a calm, practical guide to caring for your C-section scar — physically and emotionally — in the days, weeks, and months that follow.
1. Let Rest Be Your First Medicine
You’ve had major abdominal surgery. It’s okay if you feel sore, slow, or emotionally raw. Your job now is to:
Rest as much as possible (yes, even with a newborn)
Avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby
Ask for help — with food, laundry, changing nappies, anything
Healing doesn’t happen through pushing — it happens through pause.
2. Keep the Area Clean and Dry
In the early days:
Gently clean the area with warm water — no soaps or scrubbing
Pat dry with a soft towel (or let it air-dry if possible)
Avoid tight clothes or anything rubbing directly against the scar
Breathable, high-waisted underwear or loose-fitting clothing helps prevent irritation.
3. Look, But Don’t Stress
Your scar may look:
Bruised or swollen
Numb or sensitive
Red or darker than your usual skin tone
All of this is normal in the early days. You don’t have to love how it looks — but try not to avoid it altogether. Touch and familiarity support emotional healing too.
4. Watch for Signs of Infection
Most scars heal smoothly, but keep an eye out for:
Redness or warmth that worsens
Discharge or pus
Fever or increased pain
If something feels “off,” always call your GP or midwife. Prompt care is a sign of strength, not weakness.
5. Ease Back Into Movement
Gentle walking is good for circulation — but go slowly. Avoid:
Lifting heavy items
Intense core work
High-impact exercise
Follow your body's cues. When it says “enough,” listen.
You can usually start scar massage or deeper movement around 6–8 weeks, with guidance from a physiotherapist or postpartum specialist.
6. Scar Massage (When You’re Ready)
Once your scar is fully healed and closed (usually after 6–8 weeks), gentle scar massage can help:
Reduce tightness and sensitivity
Improve circulation and skin mobility
Reconnect you emotionally with the area
Use a soft oil or cream, and start with light, circular motions. If you’re unsure, a women’s health physio can guide you.
7. It’s Okay to Feel Things About Your Scar
Your scar may be a source of pride, discomfort, grief, gratitude — or all of the above. You’re allowed to have complicated feelings.
What matters most is that you remember:
You did something extraordinary.
You are still whole.
This is part of your story — not the whole of it.
Final Thoughts
Your C-section scar is more than a line — it’s a mark of resilience, of love, of birth. Healing it takes time, patience, and a little support along the way.
At Neutral Nest, we’re here for your postpartum journey — with thoughtful essentials, calming guidance, and reminders that you’re doing incredibly well.