To still feel dreadful after c section one month later?

[Pandapoop88]

Have had two sections prior to this one and recovered much quicker I think. This time have some tenderness still which I think is just due to the surgeon removing one of my previous incision scars to leave me with just one. But other than that I feel like a shadow of myself, feel exhausted, and like I’m just existing day to day. I can’t lift a thing, reach for anything or walk round the supermarket without being exhausted.

I have no appetite most of the time yet am ravenous at times but can’t be bothered to get anything due to lack of energy. When I do eat nothing tastes good, I don’t get enjoyment from food. Sometimes feel sick, stomach churn-y, painful bowel motions which have bled sometimes from due to a fissure.

My mood is fine so don’t think any symptoms are down to that. I can’t be bothered to do anything I enjoy even though I’d like to because I haven’t the energy. I feel like a month on I should feel much better but I don’t know what is wrong with me and feel like I’ll be fobbed off by doctors. I had a tough pregnancy with hyperemesis, vitamin deficiencies (which I had infusions and injections for) and PVG but I genuinely feel worse now than I did t any point in the last trimester.

I would get checked out and make sure everything is ok. I’ve had four c sections and my third one was the most straightforward recovery of them all.

Please check your hospital notes as to how much blood you lost during your c-section. Low iron levels could well be a likely cause of your symptoms, especially if they were on the low side during pregnancy. Low iron is very common and can be easily rectified with tablets. I hope you feel better soon!

I would go back to the doctor- ask to see a different one if necessary.

It sounds like it was a tough pregnancy and you could be deficient in something.

I had an emergency c-section and it did take a couple of months to feel more normal but since you have had 2 previously, you will know how you felt and how this time is different. Plus, I am assuming yours was planned.

I made sure to ask at the time and hadn’t lost a lot. They said my iron was good due to having had the infusion before birth and b12 injections but I am thinking I must be anaemic with the way I feel so will ask for another test thanks

I had a wound infection in one of my c sectIons. It was a week or two until it was properly checked after I first mentioned it. I felt really dreadful, generally unwell, 3 weeks post partum and knew it felt different from before. I remember emptying the dishwasher taking about 40 minutes and all my strength and being the major achievement of the day.
I’d get someone to check for an infection, all the best with your recovery!

Yes it was planned. All 3 of mine were. When you say it took 2 months to feel normal what were you feeling like at 1 month in?

Sorry to hear you went through that. I have had my wound checked several times because I’ve been anxious over ensuring I don’t get any adhesions or anything and they have confirmed every time that it is healing well and I have no signs of infections etc. I also had a vaginal swab taken and a urine test.

I also had an infection in my c-section that wasn’t picked up until 4 weeks after the birth. I’d go and get yourself checked over as there’s clearly something going on.

Don't know about c sections but get your thyroid checked. Pregnancy causes havoc on the body and alot of women have thyroid issues post birth.

What symptoms did you have please and how did they find the infection?

Thank you I wasn’t aware of that so will ask about it

my wound looked ok the first time it was checked but I knew it felt different from before. Later when it actually also looked infected I was told that pink/purpley red is ok but orangey-red not. But yes, you might have some other issue.

Ah ok thanks. I have a tiny little bit that is still dark purple but the rest has faded to just a bit pink, no orange or red so hopefully I don’t have an infection.

I'd go back to the hospital

I had two sections and never felt like that

Just go back and get checked

Is this not how everyone feels with a newborn? I’m certain I did especially number 3 I was exhausted you couldn’t pay me to do it again. No c section.

No it’s not how everyone feels

If you feel ill, do please get a medical opinion and not just be reassured by my comment though.

Thank you I will do, did it take you long to recover, any after effects?

Once I got the antibiotics I started to get better. Took a bit of time but I had a one year old as well, so generally a tiring time!

@Pandapoop88i was really sore and tired. My tummy was rock hard. Then it went very red and the redness crept up to my tummy button. It felt like a Chinese burn. I couldn’t get comfortable and was only comfortable lying down. My insides felt like they were stuck together so when I stood up it pulled. It was a horrible feeling. It took a month of antibiotics to sort out and it was 5 months before I could stand up straight pain free.

No I don’t think this is normal. I would definitely go and get checked out. I had a very difficult recovery from a c-section. First an infection and then many issues with my back oddly maybe from the pregnancy itself and I felt like crap for a long time but not in the same way.

the other time I was back to myself in 3 weeks.

Thanks to those who replied last night. I’ve been admitted with suspected severe anaemia. Have requested they test for the other things posters mentioned as well and an infection has been ruled out. Hopefully I will get to the bottom of what’s causing me to feel unwell and feel on the mend soon.

Hope you feel better soon OP. Maybe you lost more blood than they realised during the surgery ?
They do normally cut out the previous scar with a c-section, so I don’t know what happened with your second that you were left with two scars.

Thank you.

Do they? I never realised that, although I did think they would go through the same one each time.

It’s possible I guess. I had dropped quite a bit in my pre- and post- section iron levels but apparently was still above the threshold for prescribing iron. I suspect I’ve dropped significantly since then.

That’s good they found something treatable and hopefully you’ll be feeling much better soon!