The C Section Scar:
A Beautiful Battle Scar!

Wear the mom mark proudly!
The star is optional.
{by Tammie}

It is a mark of beauty, of a body's purpose fulfilled. You have earned that battle scar!

Of course, it certainly does help that today's c section scar is a faint shadow of the ones our mother's wore!

My mother delivered myself and my two siblings via scheduled cesarean in the seventies, early eighties. Her scar is 7-8 inches long and runs the length of her belly (navel to crotch).

For today's typical woman, the healed scar is much smaller and less noticeable. In fact, the scar is so low on your tummy, that your pants and underwear cover it up.

A healed c-section scar is 4-6 inches long and about 1/8 inch wide. (Much better than my mother's 7 inch scar!)

The surgical incision will begin to shrink within the first six weeks of surgery as your overstretched pregnant tummy begins to shrink to its normal size.

Your incision will be somewhat (not excessively) tender for awhile. The scar will be slightly raised, puffy, and darker than your usual skin tone at the beginning. This is normal at not a sign of an infection.

As it continues to heal, it will gradually start to match your natural skin color and will narrow to be about 1/16 inch wide. Of course, your scar may be slightly thicker than this. Different people have different scars.

It will most likely be fully healed (on the outside) within three months. Eventually you'll be left with a faint purple scar as a medal-of-honor for passing the final exam into motherhood!

What Causes a C-Section Scar?

There are two separate incisions made in a c-section. The first is through the abdominal wall (leaving a visible scar on your tummy) and the second is made in the uterus itself (with the scarring on the inside).

Abdominal Incisions (made on the outside)

• A vertical incision goes from just below the navel to just above the pubic bone. It is used when doctors need a large incision or if the baby needs to be removed quickly.

• A bikini incision is a horizontal cut made across the lower abdomen and near the pubic hairline. This is the most popular abdominal incision because it heals well and causes the least discomfort.

Uterine Incisions (made on the inside)

• The low transverse incision is the most common uterine incision. It is made horizontally across the lower portion of the uterus. It bleeds less than higher incisions and forms a stronger scar that is less likely to rupture during future labors.

• The classical incision (also called high vertical) is made vertically across the center of the uterus. This incision poses a higher risk for bleeding and future tearing. Today it is only used when absolutely necessary.

• The low vertical incision is similar to the classical incision, but instead of a vertical cut in the center of the uterus, it is performed at the lower end (where the tissue is thinner). This may be used to deliver a baby who is breech or transverse position or if there is a possibility a larger opening (a classical incision) will be necessary.

The C Section Scar Itch and Infections

It is common for the scar to itch like the devil while it's healing. This is normal, and shows that the body is beginning to knit itself back together.

Resist the urge to rub or itch! You could tear it open, causing excruciating pain and a trip back to the doctor to start all over again. Use lotion or cream to soothe the area instead.

Infections, although rare, do sometimes occur. Luckily we have antibiotics and smart doctors to help when they happen. You can get more information about infections after c-section here.

If your C Section scar makes you feel ugly and "used up", remember one thing: Without that tiny mark on your tummy, you wouldn't be holding that beautiful baby in your arms.

It's a small trade off for the blessing and wonder you have with that little one nestled against your breast!