How To Keep a Csection Incision Dry When Overweight

Caesareans or C-sections are extremely common today. One in four women in the UK will opt for the procedure. This figure includes plus-sized women, for whom C-sections might be the safest way to have babies. However, it raises important concerns about the realities of post-surgery self-care, particularly how to keep the c-section incision dry when overweight.

While prevalent and often life-saving, c-sections are significant operations that might come with problems. Recovery is also prolonged, complex, and unquestionably uncomfortable.

And while doctors may advise all women to care for and dry their wounds, it's even more crucial when overweight. Keeping the injury dry isn't a walk in the park, though. The area gets sweaty, particularly if there's extra tissue around your middle.

Can you keep your wound dry and prevent an infection if you're overweight? In this article, we're delving into essential tips and what symptoms to look out for if you become unwell.

What is a Csection?

A C-section is a surgical procedure used to deliver babies. During it, an obstetrician will make a deep cut or incision across the womb and the stomach to remove the newborn, along with the placenta, and amniotic membrane.

The cut is made horizontally above the bikini line, extending 10 to 20 centimetres. However, a doctor may make a vertical incision - from the navel to the pubic bone - if necessary.

Not without risks, doctors will only carry out the operation if it's deemed safe for the mother and baby.

Reasons to Have a Csection

These days, doctors perform C-sections for various reasons. Some may be medical emergencies where vaginal births are deemed too risky, while others may be elective and based on preference.

Research by PubMed suggests a link between obesity and greater risks of vaginal delivery, including complications for the mother and her unborn child. As a result, a higher pre-pregnancy and pregnancy weight may raise the possibility of needing a caesarean. Other common reasons that call for surgery include:

• Maternal health issues, like diabetes; or

• Issues with the baby's position in the womb

A higher pre-pregnancy and pregnancy weight may raise the possibility of a caesarean.

Why Is It Important to Keep a Csection Dry?

Take extra precautions to look after your csection if you're overweight - especially when it comes to keeping it dry and clean.

This 2014 study highlights that plus-sized women are vulnerable to C-section-wound-related infections. Here's why.

• Skin folds and excess fat make it challenging to dry csection incisions and keep them properly ventilated.

• Excess tissue around the surgical site traps moisture, creating a damp and warm environment that allows bacteria to grow easily.

• Gestational diabetes, which is more common in overweight women, may complicate recovery. It can weaken the immune system, lead to slower wound healing, and a higher risk of infection.
  

Healing From a Csection When Overweight

Healing from a C-section typically takes six weeks or longer, and is often slow and painful. Add the demands of looking after a newborn, and your recovery becomes even more complex.

Over this period, professionals will tell you to rest, take it easy, and keep your wound clean and dry.

But for mothers at a higher weight, keeping the csection dry is more challenging, especially during early postpartum.

If you have an apron belly - where the stomach hangs over the incision - it becomes harder to inspect and care for the healing wound. In this context, wound care necessitates continuous attention and vigilance. But which sleep-deprived mothers have the time while caring for a newborn?

Here are a few tips to help.

Keep Your Hospital Bandage On

Before leaving the hospital, a hospital worker will apply a waterproof bandage to protect and keep it dry. Be sure to leave it on for approximately 48 hours or as instructed by your doctor.

Taking Prescribed Antibiotics

If you already show early signs of an infection at the hospital, your doctor might start you on antibiotics. Take these as prescribed, and continue cleaning and drying your wound.

Follow Wound Care Instructions

Before you're discharged, your care team will give you instructions for looking after your wound, most importantly, keeping the surgical area dry.

Carry Out Routine Inspections of the Wound

If you can't see the wound clearly, get a friend or loved one to help. They'll need to lift your stomach to examine the incision gently and carefully. Or you can use a mirror for this task.

Don't hesitate to see your medical practitioner immediately if worrying symptoms occur or existing pain doesn't improve.

Use Gauze Pads, Pads, or Absorbent Items

Gauze or pads placed over the incision serve as a protected barrier against your postpartum underwear, preventing rubbing and skin irritation. They can also keep your wound dry to avoid infection.

You can also opt for absorbent sanitary pads or napkins. Their absorbent materials soak up excess moisture at the incision site. Just be sure to change your napkin regularly to prevent soaking.

Moreover, pressing a towel against your skin folds can prevent sweat from coming into contact with the wound.

Air Circulation

If other methods don't work, try exposing your belly to air. This task might be more challenging when overweight, but it is manageable with these adjustments.

• Remove clothing and barriers - like bandages or pads that cover your wound.

• Lie flat on your back and gently lift your belly to allow air flow.

• Direct a fan onto your injury for cool, soothing relief.

• If available, ask a partner or friend to run an air dryer across your abdomen while you hold your stomach up.

• If the weather's warm, sit outside or lie on a pool lounger and let the fresh air do its work.

Wear Loose Clothing

After having a baby, it's natural to want to slip back into your pre-maternity clothes. But loose-fitting dresses, tops, and pants are often the better choice. They're breathable, keep you cool, and prevent uncomfortable chafing.

Rest and Engage in Minimal Physical Activity

Looking for some easy ways to keep a section incision dry when overweight? Start by focusing on resting, recuperating, and relaxing. This means no strenuous exercise or activities until your doctor gives you the go-ahead. The only heavy lifting you should be doing is carrying your baby.

That's because physical activity poses a risk of increased injury or causes your stitches to pop. Exercise also works up a sweat, working against your efforts to keep your c-section dry and clean.

In the same vein, doctors will recommend you take light daily walks. This is particularly beneficial for reducing blood clotting, a complication of having a C-section, and one that's more likely if you're overweight. Gentle exercise and movement go a long way to keep you healthy as you heal.

Keep the Wound Clean and Dry

Infection can occur if you don't regularly clean your wound or touch it with dirty hands. Routinely wash the area with mild soap, paying special attention to the skin folds. If you're in pain or need assistance, ask for help.

After cleaning the area, dry it using a towel or a hair dryer set to a cool setting. While warm air against your skin might feel comforting, your wound will likely be heat-sensitive, and heat can cause sweating, which slows healing.

Do I Need Medical Care?

If you’re experiencing concerning symptoms, this could indicate that you're too late to prevent an infection.

Look out for the following signs after a C-section.

Pain That Worsens Over Time

After a C-section, it's normal to feel sore and experience redness and swelling. After all, you've had major surgery involving a layers-deep incision and stitches.

That said, intense pain that can’t be managed with painkillers is a sign that something's not right. You may require further professional care, so contact your doctor.

Foul-smelling fluid or Pus Discharge

In the early days of your recovery, having a leaking wound is normally nothing to worry about.

However, if there's a foul-smelling liquid or pus, there's something wrong. It's essential that you consult a medical practitioner.

Prolonged Postpartum Swelling

Postpartum swelling, or water retention, is a normal, non-serious bodily response you might experience after having a child. It's the body's way of flushing excess fluid after childbirth and reduces within days.

Mild swelling that lasts longer is still okay. But, increased swelling at the surgical site, paired with feelings of hotness, abdominal pain, and fever, suggests a more serious health issue. Have your doctor check it out.

Signs That Your Wound Is Healing

Recovery from surgery can feel glacially slow and understandably frustrating. People heal at different speeds, so be patient with yourself. Once C-section wounds become scars, they might quietly fade, thicken, or remain reddish or purplish. Not all c-section scars are the same and might look and feel different depending on your body type and how you respond to surgery.

Here’s how to tell the difference between a healing and an aggravated wound and scar types.

• You’ll feel sore for about two to three weeks, but the tenderness should lessen.

• In the first few days, the incision will appear swollen and pink and might leak clear fluid.

• Around weeks three and four, the cut will thicken and grow darker as collagen accumulates at the site. This is your body strengthening the incision and pulling it together at the edges.

• Full healing takes up to a year. Over this time, your wound should gradually flatten, thin and fade.

  
  

How Are Wound Infections Treated?

Depending on the severity of the infection, infections are treated with antibiotics. In certain circumstances, minor surgery may be necessary.

The choice of antibiotics you receive and the duration of treatment depend on the bacteria causing the infection. Milder conditions, like cellulitis, often respond well to a course or two of antibiotics.

In cases where the wound reopens or contains excess fluids, doctors may need to operate. During the procedure, your doctor will remove infected fluids and abscesses to prevent further complications.

Can I Have a Natural Birth as an Overweight Woman?

Being overweight doesn't guarantee you'll have a C-section, but it does raise the chances.

Although C-sections might be inevitable, they have their own risks that may affect your health.

So can you have a natural birth safely if you want to avoid a csection?

Vaginal deliveries aren't always recommended because they could endanger the lives of the mother and child.

For instance, obese women face an increased for developing preeclampsia, a severe blood pressure disorder occurring during pregnancy. Usually occurring in the final trimester and during labour, this condition can be fatal for the mother and her unborn child.

Nevertheless, talk with your OBYN before ruling out a vaginal birth. With careful management of your weight and lifestyle changes before or during pregnancy, it might just be possible.

Takeaway: How to Keep a C Section Incision Dry When Overweight

While some might consider a C-section an easier alternative to vaginal childbirth, it's actually an extensive surgical procedure. The aftermath involves a substantial wound, making recovery challenging and sore. Adding to that, you're responsible for your new, utterly dependent family member.

The advice provided by your care team would be to keep your wound dry, which can be particularly challenging if you're overweight.

For overweight or obese women, the presence of a shelf of skin falling over your incision makes it difficult to keep the incision dry. But we've gathered some handy "how to keep a c section incision dry when overweight" tricks to help stave off nasty infections. However, despite your best efforts in following our tips, your wound may get infected still. Therefore, it's crucial to closely monitor for early warning signs and seek prompt medical treatment.

If your wound is healing differently than expected, learn to distinguish between healing incisions and potential problems. One that's oozing pus could indicate an issue, while a thick or red scar is typical during healing.

Finally, is a natural birth possible for overweight women? More risks are attached to vaginal births for larger women, but if you're worried about the complications of C-sections, discuss your options with your doctor.