Let’s Talk C-Section Scars:

What They Are & Why They Deserve Attention

If you've had a C-section whether it was planned or unexpected you’re not alone. Roughly 1 in 3 births in the U.S. happen via Cesarean section. And while the focus often shifts quickly to newborn care and recovery, your own scar and healing process deserve just as much attention.

So let’s break it down…

💡 What Is a C-Section Scar?

A C-section scar is the result of major abdominal surgery. To deliver your baby, your provider made an incision through multiple layers of tissue, including skin, fat, fascia, and the uterus itself. The most common scar is a low transverse incision (right above the pubic bone), but in emergency cases, a vertical incision may be used.

Once healed, the outer scar is what we see. But deeper layers can form adhesions or scar tissue that aren’t visible yet can affect how your body functions, feels, and moves.

🤔 Why Is It Important to Care for Your Scar?

Because it’s not just about how it looks it’s about how your body functions long after birth.

Untreated C-section scar tissue can contribute to:

• Tightness and pulling in the abdomen or pelvis

• Lower back or hip pain

• Digestive issues

• Pain with intimacy

• Restricted core function (making it harder to rebuild strength or reduce diastasis recti)

Scar care isn’t just cosmetic—it’s functional. It can impact your posture, pelvic floor, and even your emotional connection to your body post-birth.

🛠️ How Do You Take Care of It?

Ideally, you start once your incision is fully healed and cleared by your provider (usually around 6 weeks postpartum). Here are a few ways to support healing:

1. Scar Massage

• Use light pressure to gently move the skin in small circles and directions over and around the scar.

• Helps break up adhesions, increase circulation, and reduce discomfort or numbness.

• Start small—even 2–5 minutes a few times a week can make a difference.

2. Mobility Work

• Gentle stretching and breath work can reduce stiffness and reintroduce healthy movement patterns.

• Think: diaphragmatic breathing, pelvic tilts, and gentle twists (post-clearance).

3. Myofascial Release / Bodywork

• Trained professionals (like pelvic floor PTs or massage therapists) can help target deeper tissue restrictions.

4. Rebuild Core & Pelvic Floor Function

• C-section recovery isn't just about the scar it’s about retraining your whole core system to work again.

• A structured strength and recovery program can support healing and reduce risk of long-term issues.

⏳ Is It Too Late to Start Scar Work Years After?

Absolutely not. This is one of the biggest myths I hear and it needs to be debunked.

Even years after your surgery, scar tissue can still restrict movement, cause pain, or affect your pelvic floor. Your body is adaptable and responsive whether you’re 6 months, 6 years, or 16 years postpartum.

Clients I’ve worked with have felt huge relief after finally addressing their C-section scars years later. You don’t have to just “live with it.”

💬 Final Thoughts

Your scar tells a powerful story but it shouldn’t be where your healing ends. Taking the time to care for it whether through massage, movement, or professional support can have a lasting impact on how you move, feel, and connect with your body.

It’s never too late to start. And you’re never alone in your recovery.