Caesarean scars

Preparing for a Caesarean Delivery

dermatixmy_approver — Thu, 30 May 2019 12:49:11 +0000

Preparing for a Caesarean Delivery dermatixmy_approver Thu, 05/30/2019 - 20:49

Preparing for a Caesarean Delivery

Preparing for the D-day when you will have your Caesarean delivery is not easy. However, with a little bit of planning, you can be well-prepared for the trip to the hospital and return home with a bundle of joy. We have prepared a handy checklist to help you plan and make arrangement on the items to bring for the most important day of your life! ^1,2,3,4,5

Things to do before checking in to the hospital

As moving around will be difficult for a few weeks after your C-section delivery, you will need to make extra preparations beforehand to make life easier for you post-delivery.

Arrange for someone to help you out at home at least for the first two weeks after.
Move things closer to your bed and sofa so you don't have to get up so much.
Prep and freeze meals for the next few days so you don't have to cook.
Purchase some cotton maternity bras and a breastfeeding pillow.
Stock up on paracetamol, maternity pads and breast pads.
Take a shower before going to the hospital.
Don't eat or drink anything six to eight hours before your C-section - not even water.
Get loose cotton pants that are high enough to cover your C-section wound.
Shaving or waxing will make changing the wound dressing less uncomfortable.
Grab a tube of Dermatix® Ultra, a silicone gel scar treatment, so you can begin treating your C-section scar once the stitches come off.

Important items to pack for C-section mums

The following items are must-haves for your hospital stay as a C-section mum, because you will not only be recovering from delivery, but also a major operation.

Backless slip-on slippers that are easy to put on, as bending down to put on footwear will be difficult.
Nappy sacks to make it easy for you to dispose of used items without having to move around too much.
A lightweight, dark coloured dressing gown to hide stains, as you will be bleeding and leaking for a few days after delivery.
Bendy straws as it will be hard to sit up and drink with a fresh C-section wound.
Fibre-rich snacks to help ease constipation, because you don't want to be pushing too hard before your wound closes properly.
Baby wipes to help you stay fresh, because you may find it inconvenient to walk to the bathroom.
Several pairs of high-waisted cotton undergarments, as regular ones may rub on your wound.

What should be in the rest of your hospital bag

Don't forget to pack these other commonly-needed items,
because you'll need them too.

Your phone and charger with a long charging cable.
A camera if you want your birth partner to take photos or film the birth.
Maternity pads, lots of them.
Slightly oversized nursing bras, as your breasts will grow bigger when milk comes in.
Lots of breast pads.
Purified lanolin ointment for your nipples, in case they get sore from breastfeeding.
A wrap or shawl in case you get chilly.
Lip balm and moisturiser.
A washbag containing towel, hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shower gel and shampoo.
Eye masks and earplugs, if you're a light sleeper.
A couple of loose-fitting, short-sleeved nightshirts.
Comfortable, loose clothing to wear when you can get up and move about.

What your baby will need

You won't be leaving the maternity ward for quite a while after your
C-section, so make sure to pack for your newborn as well!

Around five sleepsuits.
12 disposable nappies per day.
Muslin squares to mop up milk.
Pairs of socks or booties.
A couple of hats - your baby will lose a lot of heat through his/her head.
An outfit to go home in.
A baby blanket in case it gets chilly when you leave.
Scratch mittens to prevent your baby from accidentally scratching himself/herself.
Disposable change mats to cut down bedding changes.
A baby car seat, if you are heading home in a car.

DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE CHECKLIST

Last but not least, once you're home with your newborn and your
C-section incision has healed, don't forget to treat your scar with Dermatix® Ultra, our clinically-proven silicone gel scar treatment!

Scars Are No Match For Mums

Clinically-proven

Lightens, softens and flattens scars

Easy to apply, non-oily, quick drying and odourless

FIND OUT MORE

WHERE TO BUY

Sources

https://americanpregnancy.org/labor-and-birth/cesarean-aftercare/. Last Accessed June 2019
https://americanpregnancy.org/planning/packing-list/. Last Accessed June 2019
https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/pregnancy-book-0. Last Accessed June 2019
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pack-your-bag-for-birth/. Last Accessed June 2019
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/caesarean-section/recovery/. Last Accessed June 2019

Useful Tips On How To Manage A C-Section Scar

dermatixmy_approver — Tue, 28 May 2019 10:07:20 +0000

Useful Tips On How To Manage A C-Section Scar dermatixmy_approver Tue, 05/28/2019 - 18:07

Useful Tips On How To Manage A C-Section Scar

The life of a woman goes through many changes, with giving birth being a major one. Women give birth to babies, but they also give birth to a hundred new possibilities. As a mom, they play many roles and take up many new challenges - all of which makes them a superwoman.

As a C-section mum, you're not just a woman who had just given birth - you're also a woman who had just undergone a major abdominal surgery. While the same loose-fitting gowns and robes are still recommended, you'll have to do things a little differently on the inside.

With a large incision at the lower part of your abdomen, plain old granny panties aren't going to cut it. Instead, you should look at underwear that is specifically designed for
C-section mums. These Caesarean underwear fit comfortably around your incision, and commonly include some or all of these extra features¹:

Silicon

to aid with minimising the
appearance of your C-section scar

Compression

to reduce swelling around your incision
and support your weakened tissue

Comfortable fit

to reduce itch and
provide protection to your
healing skin

Adjustable support

to change the compression
as you recover

Supportive design

to decrease excess fluids and
flatten the bulge of your
incision

Fluted waist design

to avoid the discomfort of
elastic waistbands

Silicon

to aid with minimising the
appearance of your C-section scar

Compression

to reduce swelling around your incision
and support your weakened tissue

Caesarean underwear can be found at maternity shops or at major online retailers, so be sure to grab a few pairs before the big day.

Beyond post-partum wear, C-section mums should also take extra care when moving around - try to avoid going up or down stairs, do not attempt to lift anything heavier than your baby, and gently hold your incision when you have to sneeze, cough or laugh.²

Avoid intercourse and exercise until your doctor tells you it is safe, and do not use tampons or douche² for the first six weeks or so - your body heals best without outside interference.

If you're breastfeeding, you should drink plenty of water and try to eat a variety of foods to keep you and your baby healthy. In fact, research has shown that eating vegetables imparts flavours in your breast milk that will increase the likelihood that your child will enjoy those vegetables in future!³

And last but not least, after your incision has healed, you'll need to take proper care of your fresh new scar. While the wound may have closed on the surface, your body is still recovering underneath. Read our article on caring for your C-section scar to find out the dos and don'ts of caring for your C-section scar, and don't forget to begin treatment with a scar reduction product like Dermatix® Ultra silicone gel to minimise your scar!

Scars Are No Match For Mums

Clinically-proven

Lightens, softens and flattens scars

Easy to apply, non-oily, quick drying and odourless

FIND OUT MORE

WHERE TO BUY

Sources

https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/c-section-underwear#2. Last Accessed June 2019
Mayo Clinic Guide To A Healthy Pregnancy Harms, Roger W., M.D., et al, Chapter 12. Planning Your Pregnancy and Birth Third Ed. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Ch. 9
Mennella JA. (2006). Development of food preferences: Lessons learned from longitudinal and experimental studies. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodqual.2006.01.008

Potential Reasons That Can Lead To A Caesarean Delivery

engsim_dermatixmyadmin — Mon, 09 Dec 2019 02:01:42 +0000

Potential Reasons That Can Lead To A Caesarean Delivery engsim_dermati… Mon, 12/09/2019 - 10:01

Potential Reasons That Can Lead To A Caesarean Delivery

Pregnancy is a profound period of a woman’s life. Often, things don’t go as planned. Pregnant women go through a lot during this time, from worrying about the delivery to dealing with changes in the body and mental state.

Often, women who want a normal delivery have to go for a C-section. Sometimes, the doctor may suggest going for a caesarean delivery instead of a normal one. There are many reasons and potential circumstances that may favour a C-section instead of a normal delivery.

Breech presentation¹

A few weeks before birth, babies will generally move into a headfirst delivery position. However, sometimes this does not happen and the baby will remain feet-first - this is called a Breech Presentation. While it may still be possible to successfully deliver normally, there are significant risks involved, which is why doctors generally recommend a Caesarean section in such cases.

Having twins²

With twins, it's a little more complicated. Generally, whether a doctor will recommend a C-section depends on the positions of the two babies in the womb - if neither are in a Breech Presentation, then natural birth will be safe and possible. If the first baby is head-first but the second is in a Breech Presentation, then it may be possible to deliver naturally, depending on the position of the second baby after the first is delivered. However, if both babies or the first baby is in a Breech Presentation, then a C-section will be recommended.

Narrow pelvis

A small pelvic opening carries additional risks for natural births, such as protracted labour³, where the baby cannot fit through the pelvis. In cases where the doctor has judged that it may be unsafe to deliver the baby naturally due to a small pelvis, they will recommend a C-section.

Delivery complications

Even if all the signs looked good up until the point of birth, deliveries may not always go as smoothly as hoped. During a prolonged delivery with little progress¹, or if the foetus is in a poor condition¹, doctors may perform an emergency C-section to save both the mother and child.

Elective C-section¹

Some mothers opt to undergo a C-section delivery even though there is no medical need to, as a C-section delivery carries lower risks of incontinence and sexual dysfunction for the mother, and lower risks of oxygen deprivation or trauma while passing through the birth canal for the baby. However, there are other risks of complications and a longer recovery period for elective C-section deliveries.¹

Many of these factors are beyond the control of the mother, and it is important to remember that giving birth via C-section is nothing to be ashamed of - when a Caesarean Section is needed, it is needed, and what's most important is that both mother and baby are safe and sound.

And after your C-section incision has closed and the stitches are removed, you should immediately begin scar management with products like Dermatix® Ultra, a silicone gel scar treatment that can help your C-section scar heal with minimal scarring⁴.

Scars Are No Match For Mums

Clinically-proven

Lightens, softens and flattens scars

Easy to apply, non-oily, quick drying and odourless

FIND OUT MORE

WHERE TO BUY

Sources

https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/c-section-reasons. Last Accessed August 2019
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/giving-birth-to-twins/. Last Accessed June 2019
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16817080. Last Accessed August 2019
Mustoe TA, Evolution of silicone therapy and mechanism of action in scar management. Aesth Plast Surg. 2008;32:82-92

Taking Care of Your Caesarean Scars

dermatixmy_approver — Tue, 28 May 2019 09:40:54 +0000

Taking Care of Your Caesarean Scars dermatixmy_approver Tue, 05/28/2019 - 17:40

Taking Care of Your Caesarean Scars

Giving birth is an overwhelming experience for mothers. Not only is it a time of immense physical change, but it is mentally taxing as well. From uncontrollable mood swings to sleep deprivation, it is a challenging time for all mothers.

On top of all of that, as a C-section mum, you've got to handle it all while nursing a fresh new C-section scar that's still tender and oh-so itchy. Even though you're frantically busy and crazy tired, you should not neglect your scar - the earlier you begin managing your C-section scar, the faster and better it will recover, giving you one less thing to worry about.

That bothersome itch is actually a sign that your body is still working to repair the scar, which also makes it the best time to treat with scar treatments like Dermatix® Ultra silicone gel - by starting treatment once your stitches have been removed, you will be able to get the best scar reduction effects.

With just two quick applications a day, Dermatix® Ultra will form a barrier around your C-section scar to support your body's natural healing processes to minimise the scarring.¹

Beyond treating your C-section scar with Dermatix Ultra, properly caring for the scar will also help its recovery. Here's a list of dos and don'ts on C-section scar care so you'll know just what to do!

DO let soapy water drop down your C-section scar to keep it clean. Gently pat it dry after washing.²

DON'T vigorously scrub or wipe your C-section scar.²

DO start some light walking around your neighbourhood to increase blood flow.²

DON'T perform exercise that bends or twists your body, or involves sudden movements.²

DO try to expose your scar to air as much as possible to promote healing.²

DON'T expose your scar to the sun as sunlight can make your scar darker or lighter.²

DO hold something tightly over your scar if it itches.³

DON'T scratch your scar as it might result in infection.³

As your body is still recovering underneath that C-section scar, you may experience irritation and numbness. Try your best to keep the scar area completely dry to minimise irritation, and while numbness is not a complication, you can mention it to your doctor if it worries you.³

However, if you experience any of these symptoms, you must contact your doctor immediately:

Redness or swelling around the scar or in one of your legs^3, 4

Extreme or worsening pain around the scar, your belly or your calf^3, 4

Oozing from the incision³

But don't worry too much over these, as only about 12% of C-sections result in an infection - and antibiotic treatments can halve your risk of infection.⁵ With proper care and Dermatix® Ultra, your C-section incision and scar will heal without a hitch - so take your mind off your worries and enjoy motherhood to the fullest!

Scars Are No Match For Mums

Clinically-proven

Lightens, softens and flattens scars

Easy to apply, non-oily, quick drying and odourless

FIND OUT MORE

WHERE TO BUY

Sources

Mustoe TA, Evolution of silicone therapy and mechanism of action in scar management. Aesth Plast Surg. 2008;32:82-92
https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/c-section-scars. Last Accessed June 2019
https://www.verywellfamily.com/cesarean-scars-2758511. Last Accessed June 2019
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000624.htm. Last Accessed June 2019
William Andrews, Ph.D., M.D., professor and chairman, department of obstetrics and gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Robert Weinstein, M.D., professor, internal medicine, Rush Medical College, Chicago; Sept. 29, 2016, New England Journal of Medicine

Manage Your C-Section Scar Through Post-Partum Massages

engsim_dermatixmyadmin — Wed, 04 Dec 2019 09:43:52 +0000

Manage Your C-Section Scar Through Post-Partum Massages engsim_dermati… Wed, 12/04/2019 - 17:43

Manage Your C-Section Scar Through Post-Partum Massages

Massages have proven their merit as an effective treatment for reducing stress, muscle tension, and pain. Hence, massages are being used by people from all over the world to treat different kinds of issues – from digestive disorders to sports injuries.

Did you know that massaging your caesarean scar can help to accelerate the scar's recovery?

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to massage your caesarean scar, layer by layer¹:

Start from your skin

Step 1/5

Lightly stroke the areas above and below your caesarean scar up and down, and side to side. While doing this, try to feel for tissues that are resistant to your movement. If you find any, hold it in the direction that the tissues refuse to move in, until they release.

Step 2/5

Following this, massage the area around your scar with circular motions, going from one hip bone to hip bone.

Step 3/5

If your C-section scar is no longer tender, you can also place your fingers directly on your scar and move your fingers forwards and backwards to find which areas of your scar are resistant to movement, then focus your massage on those areas.

Step 4/5

After which, massage your scar as a whole by moving it from side to side and up and down.

Step 5/5

Lastly, pick up your scar with your fingertips and roll it to release the skin from the layer below it.

Step 1/5

Step 2/5

Following this, massage the area around your scar with circular motions, going from one hip bone to hip bone.

Step 3/5

Step 4/5

After which, massage your scar as a whole by moving it from side to side and up and down.

Step 5/5

Lastly, pick up your scar with your fingertips and roll it to release the skin from the layer below it.

Continue by massaging your muscles

Step 1/2

Place your fingers directly on your C-section scar, and press down until you can feel the muscles below your fingertips.

Step 2/2

Make stroking motions up and down and side to side, holding in the directions where your muscles are resistant to your movement until it releases.

Step 1/2

Place your fingers directly on your C-section scar, and press down until you can feel the muscles below your fingertips.

Step 2/2

Make stroking motions up and down and side to side, holding in the directions where your muscles are resistant to your movement until it releases.

End off with a massage for your organs

Step 1/4

Bring your legs up, put your hands on your C-section scar and let your fingers sink in as deeply as they can.

Step 2/4

Perform the same up-and-down and side-to-side movements, holding in the directions where you feel more resistance until it releases.

Step 3/4

Cup your fingers and press down on the sides of your pubic bones, then push upwards to lift your organs, and hold it there.

Step 4/4

While holding that position, perform side-to-side stroking motions, focusing on the directions where you feel resistance.

Step 1/4

Bring your legs up, put your hands on your C-section scar and let your fingers sink in as deeply as they can.

Step 2/4

Perform the same up-and-down and side-to-side movements, holding in the directions where you feel more resistance until it releases.

Step 3/4

Cup your fingers and press down on the sides of your pubic bones, then push upwards to lift your organs, and hold it there.

Step 4/4

While holding that position, perform side-to-side stroking motions, focusing on the directions where you feel resistance.

Perform these massages for 5 minutes a day until you find that your scar is released and remains released, then reduce the frequency to once a week. Once your scar remains released between your weekly massages, then you can reduce it to once a month.

Besides releasing your C-section scar with regular massages, you should also complement your scar's healing process with a scar treatment product such as Dermatix® Ultra to aid with the fading of your caesarean scar!

Scars Are No Match For Mums

Clinically-proven

Lightens, softens and flattens scars

Easy to apply, non-oily, quick drying and odourless

FIND OUT MORE

WHERE TO BUY

Sources

Lynn Schulte, PT. How to Massage Your C-Section Scar. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-VfUJ6JcWo