Cesarean scar

[Mum2boy]

I gave birth to my son 4 weeks ago via emergency caserean and I have a question about the scar.

After the birth my stomach went down pretty quickly, and I had a flat tummy before I was pregnant. After the casear, I noticed that above the stitch there was almost like excess skin sitting above the scar. I thought that it was from my skin stretching over the 9 months and that it was just swollen, but now 4 weeks later, I've noticed that the skin hasn't 'lifted' or flattened.

I may sound vane, but I am worried that there will be a flab of skin above my scar forever. Does anyone know if it gets better in time? Or did the dr not sew it right and left too much skin there?

Also, now being 4 weeks after the surgery, is it ok to start exercise? If so, could I use an exercise bike?

[Kirsty77]

I also had a emergency c/s and yep I had the lovely 'flap' of skin that kinda hung over it!EWW!! It did go down but it took a while.I think by the time I was pregnant again with Jasmine it was gone(3-4 months later). I wouldn't recomend doing any exercise till at least you've been to your 6 week checkup and get the ok from your doc. Some scars take longer to heal then others and you don't want to hinder the healing process.

[Fi]

Even without having a c/s - I had to take it easy getting back into exercise. I actually trained with my junior netball girls about 10d post birth, and I bled very heavily afterwards. I then found out that its not a good idea to get back into it too quickly.....
I had my first senior training about 6w post baby, and played that week. It was OK. I was pretty puffed, and the boobies were pretty sore (cause they were squeezed into my prebaby sports bra ) but it was OK.
With c/s I would suggest putting the whole thing back by a few more weeks. But your dr will tell you more.

[christy]

I had the flap thingy & it took around 6 months to settle for me, I had a slight belly before

[Geniebean]

It's been 15 weeks since I had Ellie and my skin is rough and flappy near the scar STILL. and my scar is pinky/purple. No idea when it will return to normal. My linea nigra is still there too. But I don't really care, in all honesty.

[EllyBoo72]

Ouch, I wouldnt be doing excercise just yet! Any excess weight will be a thing of the past soon, I promise!! It will go away. As for the belly, it does sound normal, and that will slowly go over time too. Perhaps ask your gp next time you go, just to put you mind at ease. Take it easy!!!
All the best for you and your newborn.

[*Rae*]

Yeah -take it easy with the exercise. I went back to the gym - just doing easy exercises - about 2-3 months afterwards and i ended up stopping as i would still feel really tender. My stomach has also gone back to being flat so u shouldn't need to worry about the appearance of your scar/tummy - with time it'll settle down!

[lovemybubs]

Yup, i have quite a big "flap", but i was huge before getting pregnant. Its slowly getting smaller as i get skinnier. As for my scar.... its blueish!!!!!!!!! What The...!!

As for exercise... i tried to jump the gun a few times, but it would hurt or feel like id pulled something. Id wait at least 6 weeks.

[Mum2boy]

Thanks everyone, it sounds like just a matter of time for both the scar and the exercise.

I feel just so flabby and so keen to lose the weight that I gained when I was pregnant. I have 7 kilos to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight, but even though it has been 4 weeks since I gave birth, the scales have just stopped at this weight, and I don't appear to be losing any more. (I am breastfeeding) Am I just impatient??

[EllyBoo72]

Mum2boy; I also had gained at least 7 kilos. After 8 Months i weighed less than i did before i had him. I did not diet or excercise and ate lots of junk food on the go! It seemed to come off as soon as i stopped thinking about it! You're not being impatient! Its just hard to get your brain around the fact that you cant fit the smaller sizes for a short while. Truely, the time will go quick, and you will be back to your former self before you know it.

[AJ]

i would be walking too - and any ab exercises that your ob or midwife has recommended - we got given pamphets on what to be doing - re skin - i call it my pouch 8 weeks later still got it - hoping it will go eventually

[Ambah]

Moving to Your Body After Baby

[*Kristee*]

The "Apron" i call it (the flap of skin) is totally normal. It will eventually go away....i still have my apron and my DD is 11 weeks tomorrow.
Even though i have lost 9.5 kilos off pre-preg i still have it but i was big to start with.
As for exercise definately wait till the 6 week check-up and talk to your ob, i waited and have since been doing "Pilates after pregnancy" since just give yourself some time to heal....remember it was major surgery.
As for the colour of your scar mine was purple/blue for the first couple of weeks, by six weeks you could barely see it unless you had a magnifying glass.....everyone is different plus my ob said i had great healing ability.

Basicall chill out it's normal and just give yourself time.

Kristee-Lea - 21
Tarleha Maye - 29/06/06
Tying the knot - 7th April 07
TTC March/April 07