Abdominal separation after a C-section

The separation is in the midline connective tissue between the front abdominal muscles; it is not the same as the caesarean wound opening.

Pregnancy can widen and thin the linea alba as the abdomen expands. After birth, the area may look domed when getting up, feel soft around the navel, or provide less support during lifting. Caesarean surgery also leaves skin, connective tissue, and the uterine incision to recover.

Scar tightness, numbness, or tenderness can change how you move and breathe without being the cause of the midline separation. Clinicians assess wound healing, abdominal tension, pressure control, pelvic-floor symptoms, and daily function rather than judging recovery by appearance.

Follow the maternity team's wound and activity instructions. Use your arms and roll through your side when leaving bed, breathe out during effort, and keep early walking comfortable. Avoid straining through pain or holding your breath during lifting.

Once the wound is healing and movement is comfortable, gradual abdominal and whole-body strengthening can rebuild capacity. Postnatal physiotherapy can assess the scar, abdominal wall, breathing, pelvic floor, and lifting technique, then adjust exercises if you notice doming, leakage, heaviness, or back pain.

Get prompt medical advice if the incision becomes more red, hot, swollen, painful, or starts draining fluid; if wound edges separate; or if you develop fever or feel increasingly unwell. Heavy vaginal bleeding, chest pain, shortness of breath, or a painful swollen calf needs urgent medical care.

Arrange a non-urgent review if abdominal weakness blocks normal tasks, the scar remains very restrictive, or pelvic-floor symptoms persist. A painful firm bulge with vomiting or abdominal swelling should be assessed urgently for a possible hernia.

Ask whether the incision is healing as expected, how to recognise scar trouble or a hernia, when to progress lifting and exercise, and whether postnatal physiotherapy would help with doming, weakness, pain, leakage, or pelvic heaviness.