Tips on treating C section incision with a over hang

Just wondering if anyone has any tips on how to care for your incision when you have an overhang? Mine is pretty bad and I'm worried it doesn't get enough air to it, it will get infected. I'm 7 days post op and still struggling with living flat on my back. I have to sit at an angle to sleep for comfort and to avoid pain TIA

Read more on Peanut

The views expressed in community are solely the opinions of participants, and do not reflect those of Peanut.

Learn more about our guidelines.
Add a comment
Avatar

I had the same problem I used kitchen roll to keep it dry and after about 2 weeks I used liquid talc but the kitchen roll worked really well

Avatar

Hi so I was told to fold up a panty liner or pad and put in between the flap to keep it dry and clean. I did it for weeks til it seemed like it was healing up well..I’m a side sleeper as well and exclusively breastfeeding.

Avatar

Mine got infected twice as it was hard to keep dry. I would use a blow dryer in the cold setting after showers and it still got infected. To the point where I had to go multiple times a week to get it cleaned and dressed properly at the hospital (at like 3 months PP).

I found cleaning it with saline water every night helpful. Patting it dry. Holding the skin up to air out a bit. Haven’t had any issues since.

Avatar

So I bought the postpartum underwear and they came up and folded with my skin but not tight thankfully. Also just making sure you are dry after a shower and I use to randomly walk around holding my belly multiple times per day. The 1st month I slept on a recliner and then came to the couch with my wedge pillow. I'm a huge side sleeper but with the limited space it was comfortable on those 2 places.

Avatar

would you just fold the kitchen roll and place it under your overhang in position?

Avatar

thank you. I think I will give this a go as well. I worry more about it during the day as I can air it a bit better at night time when I do go into bed I hold it up as best as I can and lie as flat as I can for like an hour to help. I'm also doing showers daily to help it be clean

Avatar

It gets easier with time. Try not to stress too much..

Avatar

I folded up paper towels and put it under there. Changed them out. And I couldn’t lay flat on my back for months. Slept on my sofa at an incline for the first 4 months.

Avatar

Yea that’s literally all I did during the day it kept it really dry x

Avatar

It was healed perfectly by 4 weeks and had no problems since sometimes when it gets a bit sweaty even now 5 months later just put some kitchen roll there

Avatar

Gauze gauze gauze! Always kept a dry layer of gauze on it, even after cleared by my doctor because of my paranoia. Finally stopped at 8 weeks postpartum

Avatar

I have a large overhang. I just made sure to shower daily to get it clean. I would then dry it really well with my towel and place gauze or a paper towel on it. At night I'd take a wet paper towel and clean it and dry it really well and then put clean gauze on it. I get bad heat rashes under my belly so I was worried about an infection but I had no issues with it. Just keep it dry and clean and you should be good. 😊

Avatar

Thank you so much everyone for all your responses. This has really helped me feel better about how to help look after my incision x

Avatar

when i first came out the hospital i just was washing my body with a sponge and non scented soap and then sitting on a chair and washing my hair that way as i was petrified to get it wet too, I had the fear that it would just burst back open but after 2 weeks i was told everything was fine and getting it wet like usual was absolutely no issue at all, Its scary at first but once you’ve done it once it gets less scary every time! I’m now 8 months PP and my overhang is almost completely gone but i am a dancer so i obviously am very active but it does eventually go away, if you feel more comfortable wear a pair of pants and put a bit of tissue onto the scar and just hope that it doesn’t get too wet while showering x

Avatar

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNdefYo2Y/ I did this x

Avatar

I used and still use cotton rounds - I am 17 months pp x

Avatar

Sleep on your side as in your back puts more strain on the incision....i used my pregnancy pillow too.

Avatar

I used a muslin to pop underneath till it dried alongside the hairdryer on a cold setting. Later on I also applied talc once healed.

Read more on Peanut

Trending

in our community

Pregnancy after c section

What time scale did everyone get pregnant again after a c section?
I know the doc said they recommend eating at least a year to 18 months but it took 4 years to get pregnant the first time after being told we could not conceive naturally so not wanting to stop it happening knowing it could take a very long time again but also worried.

Avatar

2

22

Braxton hicks

I’m currently 34 weeks and have been experiencing braxton hicks for the past few weeks however have been having cramps almost like very strong period cramps In my lower stomach. I’ve mentioned this to my midwife and she only really asked if I’d been keeping hydrated and taking my vitamins which I am but didn’t really proceed to tell me if this was normal or related to braxton hicks also, has anyone else experienced this?

Avatar

3

Eid celebrations?

Is it normal to celebrate Eid by drinking alcohol and partying non stop … doesn’t that just go against the whole month of Ramadan im so confused

Avatar

3

Pregnancy nose 😭🤣

I thought it was a myth but when I look back at pictures of me pregnant with my first child, my nose literally swelled up so big it was ridiculous 🤣

Please tell me other people have had pregnancy nose or at least heard of it hahahah dreading it this time around

Avatar

1

4

Little girl turning herself sideways in next to me

My little girl tonight, has spun herself so she is lying sideways in her next to me, making me panic!

Is this normal at 4.5 months, do I just lie her back normally/vertically?

Avatar

4

Labour??

I’ve had on/off mild period cramps since 9 last night, very irregular and very mild, but I just had one that woke me up. My waters haven’t gone and nor has my mucous plug… but could this be a sign that it’s close?! I’m 40+3 and desperate to meet her!

Avatar

7

Read more on Peanut