C-section 1 week later

[plannedshock]

Hi I had a section last Monday (2nd elcs) I'm just asking for any similar experiences. 1st section was dream recovery but this one... I feel really good but on my left hand side there's this awful stabbing pulling pain. It's just started, 1week after. Is this just where everything is healing and tightening and just pulling when I walk or have I over done things? I only have my 1st to compare it to but I think I was just lucky! Also I've now got a bit of a lump above the scar the overhang thing, does that gradually go?

Is it like a stitch pain? In the crease of your waist? I had this but it did go away. Tell your midwife maybe?

It's like a stabbing pain, stops me in my tracks, can't step. I told my midwife and she was just like "aw it does hurt" whilst smiling. Helpful. I don't know if it gets tight when healing I can't remember.

yep had this after emcs, left hand side stabby pully pain, think it maybe is a knot or suture material tied tight or they trapped a nerve. It got better, dont really notice it now.

Ah that's good to know, I just don't know if I'm doing too much and causing it or it's all progress and healing!

It sounds like a nerve. Really quite common. It's particularly common when you move and feels like a sharp, hot flash of pain and can take your breath away rather. It'll pass.

The overhang? Give it a while and see where you end up. I'm a pretty fit size 8, with very good abdominal definition and very little fat. I still have an overhang. It's just where it's stitched tight and the loose skin above it has to hang down. It would take a tummy tuck to sort it. It's not bad though and I never think about it tbh.

Everyone recovers differently from a c section and so I assume subsequent surgeries can feel entirely different too. I had lots of pain for weeks after mine whereas a friend recently had an emergency one and had barely any pain and was driving within 3 weeks. Mention anything you are worried about to your midwife or gp and they will be able to put your mind at ease. Keep up with whatever painkillers they have told you to take too, it really Can take the full 6 weeks plus to recover and so try to take it easy.

Hello,

I had an ELCS 8 wks ago. I had the stabbing pain too over around a week and then it subsided.

The pain / swelling above the scar was a haematoma for me, really annoying and more painful than the scar itself. It's like a raised bump? They told me to take it even easier and I tried, every time I did anything even up until 4/5 weeks it flared up and was painful / sore / swollen in the evening. By 'doing anything' I mean doing anything more than just sort of wandering around at home in the house. Anyway I took it easy and from 5/6 weeks felt much much better, 8 weeks on I'm starting to think about exercise and am fine lifting car seat / buggy etc.

If it's the haematoma thing you have it's a real annoyance but actually isn't serious as long as you rest and let it go down and then it just gradually goes I think (my midwife was not at all concerned).

Good luck

I had a lump/ hanging bit on the right hand side of my scar but it disappeared after a couple of months, leaving no overhang. Weirdly, that side of the scar is now less noticeable and has faded more than the left side.

Should have said, I didn't bother massaging the scar/ using oil etc.