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Written by

Gina Conley, MS

C-Section Scar Mobilization Timeline

  • C-Section

C-Section Scar Mobilization: There is not a ton of guidance usually provided on how to support your healing after a cesarean birth other than don’t pick up anything over 10 lbs (which your baby will probably exceed within a few weeks) and to go for some walks.

But a cesarean birth is major abdominal surgery! After many surgeries, we will receive a referral to physical therapy and a part of PT will be scar mobilization.  Let’s break down HOW to we can approach mobilizing your scar as a part of your healing process after birth.

C-Section Scar Mobilization Timeline

This blog does not constitute as medical guidance!  This is a general timeline that you could use to gauge your scar healing process.  Our healing timelines may vary from week to week, so be mindful as you approach mobilization!

 

The general scar mobilization timeline tends to be:

  • Week 1-3: Scar Desensitization AROUND the incision site
  • Week 3-6: Scar Desensitization ON the scar and Scar Mobilization AROUND the scar
  • Week 6-12+: Scar Mobilization ON the scar

Let’s explore each timeline!  If you want a more thorough breakdown plus actual techniques to do at home, check out our c-section scar mobilization course!

Week 1-3: Scar Desensitization AROUND Your Incision Site

Starting day 1 postpartum, you can begin to touch the skin AROUND your incision site with different textures and fabrics.  This is called scar desensitization.  

Scar desensitization helps to reset the neuromuscular connection after surgery.  This can help with feelings of numbness or sensitivity!

It may seem counterintuitive to touch a place that feels sensitive to touch, but the more stimulus we introduce, the quicker the connection will reset!

You can use different items such as:

  • Cotton ball
  • Fabrics
  • Make up brushes
  • Q-tips
  • Toothbrush

Week 3-6: Scar Desensitization ON and Scar Mobilization AROUND Your Scar

Starting around week 3, you can slowly start scar desensitization ON the scar (as long as it is healed externally).  You may want to be gentle with this as you touch the actual incision site.

And, we can begin to start mobilization AROUND the scar.  This could be anywhere above, below, or even to the sides.  

Scar mobilization is when we physically move the skin and underlying layers.  This may involve doing small circles, pinch and lift, or even using a silicone cup to lift the layers!

There are a number of techniques you can use to move the tissue around to break up adhesions and help the connective tissue healing in a more organized fashion (which improves strength and overall function).

Learn scar mobilization techniques, including how to know when you are ready to progress your mobilization, in our c-section scar mobilization course with Casey Backus, physical therapist and 2x c-section mama. 

Casey shares her professional and personal experience with scar mobilization after birth!

Week 6-12+: Scar Mobilization ON Your Scar + Return to Fitness

Around 6-12 weeks postpartum, and again, the timeline can vary greatly from person to person, we can begin to gradually introduce scar mobilization on the actual scar.  

This may include varying levels of depth and techniques that involve moving the tissue around!

Around this time, we may also begin a return to fitness!  But, as with all postpartum exercise, we want to gradually return to fitness to support our healing core, and pelvic floor, and relearning of movement in our new postpartum body.

Our c-section recovery fitness program focuses on the specific rehab needs of the c-section mom!  Our program incorporates cross-body movements to support reconnection across the incision site.

We developed our program with a physical therapist, Casey Backus, and tested the program with our in-person c-section clients to develop a program that truly supports reconnection after a cesarean birth.

Mary
MamasteFit was recommended to me by my spinning babies practitioner. I started following her instagram while pregnant and took her childbirth education course and used her pelvic stability program as an accessory to my regular workouts. I ended up having an unexpected csection, and immediately knew I wanted the return to fitness for csection/complicated births as part of my recovery plan. I also attended the scar mobilization webinar. I am now 12 weeks postpartum. I’ve been doing the scar mobilizations that were taught from 6 weeks on and the return to fitness program for the past 4 weeks. I have already closed my 2-3 finger separation diastasis recti with the gentle and effective core exercises. I am feeling stronger every day. I’m one of those go full force types of workout people and it’s lovely to have a program written out for me that is progressive, rehabilitative, user friendly, and so informative. The videos and explanations are fantastic. I never feel like I don’t understand what to do or how I should be moving. I can’t recommend her programming enough. It is so well thought out and I can’t say enough great things about it. These programs are truly a fantastic tool to have in your pre/postnatal arsenal.
Audrey
I completed the Csection recovery program with my first and will be doing that program again after my second csection next month. I can confidently say I would not have felt prepared for my second pregnancy without the recovery program and scar mobilization information – my csections will be 13 months apart. I am so grateful for the community of Mamastefit and share it with everyone I can.
Michelle
Firstly, I wanted to thank you both as your childbirth education course (condensed), c section recovery seminar, content on IG and return to fitness program have been huge for me in becoming a mama. I had my son in August of 2021. I had taken your condensed course and been following your IG and learning so much, then when my doc recommended I be induced, I used all of your tips during labor. I ended up having a C-section and actually a wonderful birth experience, and I credit a lot of that to the education you both provided. The nurses were raving about all the positions I was trying and while a C-section was not in my initial birth plan, I felt very at peace with that path as I had tried it all. My son was 10lbs at birth and so I knew I needed to build back my strength effectively and efficiently. Your c section recovery program was awesome! I also got a few months into the post partum strength training course and loved it.
C-Section Recovery Program

Support Your Scar Healing After Birth!

Mobilizing your c-section scar can support your overall function and improve the aesthetics of your scar!

There are so many benefits of scar mobilization. Learn more techniques in our c-section scar mobilization course with Casey!

Recover After Birth: Postpartum Courses