Types of C-section closures Dissolvable stitches are used to close your uterus. These stitches are made from materials that the body can easily break down, so they'll dissolve gradually as the incision heals. As far as closing skin on the abdomen, surgeons can use one of several methods at their discretion.
Your internal stitches will start to dissolve within a couple of days after the birth. They do not need to be removed. If you have external staples, they are usually removed on day 3.
The time it takes for dissolvable or absorbable stitches to disappear can vary. Most types should start to dissolve or fall out within a week or two, although it may be a few weeks before they disappear completely. Some may last for several months.
Summary of main results
The two methods of skin closure for caesarean section that have been most often compared are non‐absorbable staples and absorbable subcutaneous sutures. Compared with absorbable subcutaneous sutures, non‐absorbable staples are associated with similar incidences of wound infection.
Your doctor will close your uterus with stitches, which will dissolve on their own, and close your skin with staples or stitches. She will cover the area with bandages. Doctors may also close incisions with glue or Steri-Strips. Surgical glue and strips hold skin together without the need for stitches or staples.
At the beginning of a caesarean section, six separate layers of the abdominal wall and uterus are opened individually. Once the baby is delivered the uterus is closed with a double layer of stitching.
In rare cases, your C-section incision might open (or reopen). In medical terms, this is called C-section dehiscence.
You'll probably feel some soreness in the incision, and you may have bleeding or discharge for up to 6 weeks after the C-section. That's expected. However, the following symptoms warrant a call to your doctor, because they could signal an infection: redness, swelling, or pus oozing from the incision site.
By two weeks, your scar should look and feel much better. That said, it can take anywhere from six weeks to three months before you're fully healed.
It takes 4 to 6 weeks to recover from a C-section
"The uterus, abdominal wall, and skin need to heal after a C-section. The initial healing occurs within 4 to 6 weeks postpartum," says Malavika Prabhu, MD, a specialist of maternal-fetal medicine at New York-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine.
After a C-section, she recommends women take eight weeks off and to avoid heavy activity to prevent complications. “A lot of women still have significant pain at two weeks after,” she said.
"Whether you delivered vaginally or by C-section, it takes six weeks for the uterus to contract to its normal size," Dr. Daneshmand says. Resting a heating pad or hot-water bottle on your belly (but not on the incision) can help—and so can over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen.
Healthcare professionals often prefer nonabsorbable stitches to dissolvable stitches because they are very strong, and the body will not break them down. They typically use nonabsorbable stitches for closing superficial wounds.
At first, your cut (incision) will be raised slightly and pinker than the rest of your skin. It will likely appear somewhat puffy. Any pain should decrease after 2 or 3 days, but your cut will remain tender for up to 3 weeks or more. Most women need pain medicine for the first few days to 2 weeks.
These do not need to be removed because the stitches will dissolve on their own, usually within six weeks. It is normal to have some light vaginal bleeding or pink to brown or yellow-colored vaginal discharge as the stitches dissolve. As they dissolve, you may see pieces of thread on your underwear or toilet paper.
Overall, heavy lifting can create intra-abdominal pressure. After birth, the pelvic floor is weak (which is why strengthening it after pregnancy is so important!). This pressure and weakened pelvic floor can lead to the drop and protrusion of organs, which is a much more serious health situation.
The classic back sleeping position
While back sleeping isn't recommended once you're more than 20 weeks pregnant, this position is recommended for those recovering from surgery. It places the least amount of strain and pressure on your incision site and ensures that your body is aligned in a neutral position.
A caesarean is a major operation that carries a number of risks, so it's usually only done if it's the safest option for you and your baby.
Many women develop issues with their c-section scar after their second or third pregnancy. Even if you didn't have pain before your second pregnancy, you might start to develop pain along the lower abdominal region, specifically around your scar, as you get farther along in your pregnancy. This issue is not uncommon.
However, from the current medical evidence, most medical authorities do state that if multiple C-sections are planned, the expert recommendation is to adhere to the maximum number of three.”
When performing a C-section, the obstetric surgeon must cut the skin above the bladder. The surgeon must also remember that the anatomy may be somewhat distorted, particularly if a patient is fully dilated. If the obstetrician does not make their incision high enough, the cut will go through the bladder.
Regional (or rarely general) anesthesia (spinal or epidural) is given to prevent pain, a vertical or horizontal ("bikini line") incision is made in the skin of the lower abdomen, and then the underlying tissues are dissected to expose the uterus.