3 days post C Section. Horrendous back ache!

[SquarePancake]

I had a c section 3 days ago and was told in the pre op that the spinal doesn't cause back ache. I had a previous section 7 years ago and that was nothing compared to how much I'm struggling this time.

I was home after 24 hours and told to carry on paracetamol and ibruprofen but the pain in the incision is very intense and burning but by far the worst pain is the lower back ache that started yesterday. Its stopping me from walking and the pain is knocking me sick.

Is this typical after a section? Especially as I've had two now. How long does it last?

I'm struggling to get in and out of bed during the night to feed baby. 😣

This is going to sound absolutely nuts, but I promise it is worth a go.

It is possible that the back ache is caused by trapped wind from the procedure. Drinking peppermint tea is a magical cure if so. I have literally been sobbing on the floor with abdominal and pack pain and had it fixed by peppermint tea.

Nothing lost of it doesn't work.

2 sections here, no back ache that I can remember. I do recall horrific searing burning pain around the incision after the second one for a few weeks. Worth a try with the PP suggestion to de-wind (nothing to lose by trying it) but might be worth a call to midwife to just be sure. Hope you get some relief

@HappyAsASandboy
At this point I will try anything as its so horribly painful but I don't think it's trapped wind.

I did suffer with back ache before pregnancy so I wonder if the whole procedure has set it off.

Hi op, be careful that the wound isn't infected. You might need a Dr to look at it. My wound got infected after my first section and I needed antibiotics. I was in a lot of pain myself after my second section. I found it ago y going up and down stairs.

Could it be a uti?

I don't think this seems normal and you should see a doctor.

I don't remember that level of back pain after my elective section, searing pain at the incision if I moved the wrong way, but that died down quite quickly.

I would get the midwife to check it, I imagine if you're only 3 days post op you will be still getting community midwife visits?

Good shout about a UTI. I've never had one before so don't know what it feels like but I've heard it can cause bad back ache. I am seeing the midwives today to get baby weighed so will bring up my pain then. Honestly, the back pain is horrendous. 10x worse than the actual pain at the wound.

I had this but in my shoulder. The pain was so much worse than the c section. It was referred pain from the surgery - basically trapped wind!

I had this and it turned out to be an infection from retained placenta.

You've had major surgery, anything unexpected needs to be checked over by a professional to rule out infection or other complications.

Absolutely see a doctor.
Wanted to add that bowel problems can also cause back pain so if you’ve not been for a few days it could also be that.

If you are struggling call your GP and ask for stronger painkillers. You could be like this for weeks - I was.

Perhaps I should call my GP today before the weekend. When I had my first section 7 years ago I remember burning pain at the incision if I moved too quickly or at an awkward angle and the obvious tenderness but nothing like what I am experiencing this time.

I had to pop into Asda earlier to buy some tiny baby clothes and I actually burst into tears from how bad the back pain was.

They should have given you dihydrocodeine to being home after a section (I work on the labour ward) if they didn't ring your GP ans ask for an urgent acute prescription and the pharmacy should get it ready for you. It will help with the back ache. Have you got a bad headache at all?

Def call now. You don't want to be suffering like this over the weekend.

I had burning back ache in hospital after my c-section. No idea if it was trapped wind, but it was worse when I was bending over dealing with DD. It was lockdown so visitors were banned so I had no help with feeding/changing for 2.5 days so I assumed it was my back muscles protesting at having to compensate for low core strength.

Is it bad when you bend over or hold heavy things? Might need to take it easy and rope in extra help.

Don't discount the other suggestions though and get yourself checked.

The severity of your pain sounds unusual to me, definitely worth a consultation with your GP.

Maybe a UTI?

DP is a bloke, so not C-section related! But he had awful, awful lower back pain from a bladder infection that spread to his kidneys once. It was easily treatable with antibiotics, fortunately. He'd had pain in his lower abdomen before the kidney pain kicked in, but in your case, I'm guessing the pain from the C-section would mask that so you wouldn't have noticed it. UTIs can be quite common after surgery, and I would guess that as you have a newborn you are probably also not getting a whole lot of time/headspace to remember to stay hydrated (and if you're breastfeeding I expect you actually need to drink more than usual?)

You should speak to your midwife or someone about it ASAP, even if it's just to get better pain relief. There are so many things that can cause back pain and you really do not need to be in any more discomfort than you already are from the surgery itself.

Hope you're feeling better very soon. And, also importantly - congratulations on your new arrival!

I do think you need checking out, but also you sound like you might be expecting too much of yourself - popped to ASDA 3 days after a c/s? Crikey, I had great recoveries but was kept in 4 days and then for next 3-4 did very little at home, just fed baby and asked for cups of tea and for my other kids to be entertained away from me!!

Unfortunately my life doesn't allow for a lot of rest and support. I am a carer for my autistic son who is currently not in school and have 0 family to help me so I have no choice but to be more active than I'd like at this stage. 😢

Op you definitely need to get this checked out I think. Go to GP or A &E as soon as you can to avoid Friday evening madness. I’m not an HCP but any form of severe post op pain like this should be investigated. I hope you feel better soon.

Op I’d definitely get this checked. I had 2 csections and I don’t recall having back pain particularly, especially not more painful than the actual incision! hopefully it’s nothing too serious, but worth checking.

I understand you have your DS and responsibilities, but if you don’t allow your body to rest and recover from this major procedure then you could do yourself serious long term damage. Which will be more detrimental to your family long term.

I am trying my hardest to take it as easy as I can but with limited support it is really challenging. I have just phoned the GP and am waiting on a call back. I'm also about to go into the children's centre to see the midwife so will also mention it to her.

I googled kidney infection symptoms and it sounds like it could be that. Hopefully if it is it'll be easy to treat so I can start feeling a bit more human again.

As it is now, I can hardly walk so don't even know how I'm going to walk into the children's centre.

I have had 4 sections and never experienced this so hopefully gp will see you today. Congratulations on your new baby

Definitely get checked but it sounds like you're having to do far too much far too quickly Could be muscle ache from using back muscles to compensate for your abdomen etc. I hope you feel better soon and that the midwife takes you seriously. Could you tell her how little support you have?