After a caesarean birth, you will have a cut where the obstetric doctor entered your abdomen to birth your baby. Most people will have a low transverse (bikini line) cut – if you have another type of cut, your medical team will advise you on specific ways to care for it.
Once the obstetric team have finished repairing your wound, they will put a dressing over it. Most people will have a clear dressing – if you have another type of dressing, your medical team will advise you on how to care for it and when to take it off. The clear dressing stays on for seven days, and then you can remove it yourself in the shower or ask your midwife for help to remove it if you need to.
Once the dressing is off, it is important to keep your wound clean and dry. Shower at least every day, pat the wound dry gently with a clean towel (or a clean face cloth), and then allow to air dry fully. If there is any ooze from the wound or you have a tummy overhang – which is very common after a caesarean – it may help to tuck a clean wound dressing pad or sanitary pad against the wound to help keep it dry, especially in the summer!
If you have any signs of infection – a bad smell from the wound, smelly discharge (pus), the wound is getting puffier and more painful, a growing lump behind a part of the wound (with or without pain in the area), your belly becoming firmer and/or swelling significantly, feeling feverish or unwell or a temperature above 38°C, or any flu-like symptoms – please call your midwife immediately.