Recovery After C-Section
C-section is major abdominal surgery. Here is what the recovery actually looks like from hospital day 1 to 12 months, including wound care, activity limits, and scar management.
Recovery Timeline
| Period | What Happens | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital (days 1-4) | Catheter removed day 1; walking from day 1 (prevents clots); IV pain relief then oral; wound dressing | Pain management, early gentle movement, breastfeeding support |
| Week 1-2 home | Wound healing; numbness, tingling, tightness around incision; wind pain from abdominal gas | No lifting heavier than baby; no driving; wound care; rest when baby sleeps |
| Weeks 2-6 | Skin incision healed; uterine scar still healing internally; some itching and numbness persist | Gradual activity increase; no abdominal exercises yet; pelvic floor exercises OK |
| 6-week check | O&G reviews wound and discusses next steps | Ask about exercise, driving, sex, next pregnancy, contraception, physio referral |
| 3-6 months | Most restrictions lifted; some women still feel pulling at scar; scar may still be numb | Scar massage from 6 weeks; women's health physio for adhesions |
| 6-12 months | Uterine scar fully healed internally; skin scar softening and fading | Continue sunscreen on scar; monitor for keloid formation (more common in darker skin) |
Wound Care at Home
Weeks 1-6
- - Keep wound clean and dry; shower is fine (no bath, no swimming)
- - Pat dry gently after shower; do not rub
- - Wear high-waisted underwear or maternity briefs to avoid friction on the incision
- - No soaking until wound is fully closed
- - Steri-strips fall off on their own; do not pull
From 6 weeks: Scar massage
- - Once wound is fully closed, begin scar massage 2-5 minutes daily
- - Use two fingers; move scar tissue up-down, side-to-side, and in circles
- - Press firmly enough to feel resistance (not pain)
- - This prevents internal adhesions
- - Silicone scar gel or sheets (Bio-Oil, ScarAway) help reduce appearance
- - Keep scar out of sun or apply SPF 50
Seek medical attention immediately for:
Planning Your Next Pregnancy After a C-Section
The uterine scar (not the skin incision) takes up to 12 months to fully heal. Most O&Gs in Singapore recommend waiting at least 18-24 months between a C-section birth and the next pregnancy. This allows the uterine scar to heal adequately and reduces the risk of uterine rupture in a subsequent pregnancy.
If you want a vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC) in your next pregnancy, discuss this with your O&G early. Singapore's VBAC rates are rising at KKH and NUH. VBAC is possible for many women with one previous lower-segment C-section, provided the indication for the first C-section was not a recurring one (e.g., cephalopelvic disproportion).