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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Pains after a c-section

11 replies

freeangel · 10/11/2011 11:01

I had an emergency c-section last wednesday as i went into labour with a breech baby! The next day i was having burning pains on one side above the wound site, and they weren't sure why so they where upping my pain killers. By friday i was in less pain and went home. But come sunday the pain came back, if i stand for too long or do anything the pains come back and go after i lay down or rest. I mentioned this to the midwife on monday and she didn't seem concerned and just said rest more! I've only left the house twice since last friday, to go get Max checked at the hospital and to register his birth. Is this common after a c-section to have pains and how long do they last?

OP posts:
MissRee · 10/11/2011 14:40

I would say yes, it's perfectly normal! Although I haven't had a c-section, I have had a laparotomy, which is basically the same cut as a CS.

At the end of the day, it's MAJOR abdominal surgery, you're not going to recover straight away and be able to carry on as normal! I had my laparotomy privately and was in hospital, not allowed out of bed for 5 days post-surgery and could barely get out of bed for all of the following week too.

Give your body more chance to recover and keep taking the painkillers.

MrsJangles · 10/11/2011 21:35

Yes - I had an emcs and 4 months on I still sometimes get pain. It's very early days so make sure you rest, take painkillers regularly and if your pain changes in any way, or intensifies, make sure you see your gp.

It is a long recovery process so be patient and take physical activity slowly.

freeangel · 11/11/2011 11:26

Thank you, i knew there would be some pain but just didnt realise it would take this long to recover. I suppose i was waiting to find out all these things in my c-section information class but had Max before the class. Yes im hopefully geting more painkillers today. Its nice to know in a weird way that im not alone in this recovery process and its normal.

OP posts:
Raven78 · 11/11/2011 11:43

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freeangel · 11/11/2011 15:43

I went to the doctors to get some more pain relief, it was nice to hear it from the doctor regarding that its normal to be in pain. He said to also start doing normal activities gently from next week. Yes he also said something also along those lines to do with tissues etc. I went to tescos today after the doctors, it was fab to get some fresh air and be outside for a little while! Now back to resting! Smile

OP posts:
maxpower · 12/11/2011 21:39

Just to say, it's normal to have pain for months afterwards. IME, my abdomen under my scar remained tender for about 3.5 yrs. (not trying to worry/depress you, just allowing you to be prepared)

Congratulations BTW!

Raven78 · 12/11/2011 22:18

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sprinkles77 · 12/11/2011 22:33

Totally, absolutely normal. Only need to worry if you feel pain is on average getting worse not better (you will have the odd day where you feel worse than the day before).

Jolyonsmummy · 12/11/2011 22:38

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duzida · 13/11/2011 12:52

Hmm, I had pain on and off for a few months, and also thought my scar looked horrible - and then at some point it just got completely better, so that by 1 year on, I honestly couldn't have told you when the pain stopped, but it was long gone. And the scar disappeared to no-big-deal proportions. With luck, yours will so the same - but it probably will take several weeks and months, and you might be quite worried and depressed about it at the time. If pain gets bad, or wound starts oozing (happened to me a couple of weeks in, I think), go to GP, they will probably prioritize you and sort you out quickly. If not, make a fuss. Women who've just had surgery and have tiny babies to look after need to be looked after themselves.

Also - I found things like carrying the baby and pushing a buggy really quite tough for first 6 weeks, and I couldn't use a baby bjorn or similar sling for a month or two. And my baby always seemed to have his legs dangling down to kick my scar, it was agony! I couldn't wear non-maternity jeans for about 4 months, or normal knickers, because it felt really tender and the waistbands cut into it, ouch! But then it suddenly all got better.

Don't worry, it's very early days for you. If you'd had an op like this without childbirth, you'd expect a few weeks recovery, wouldn't you? Try to be strict about not doing heavy stuff at first, just mooch around at home and start to do outside/normal stuff gently and get other people to help as much as you can - don't go on long walks or push buggy up hill without expecting some serious discomfort at this stage! Your body has to recover, but you will probably be absolutely fine. Two years on, it's all a distant memory. Hope you start to feel better soon and congratulations on your baby.

MrsJangles · 13/11/2011 19:50

Agree with duzida - I did things a bit too quickly and ended up with an infection and on antibiotics on and off for several weeks.

I wonder if I will ever wear normal pants again? I still have to wear big ones that come up quite high! :-(

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