Talk to me about your C-section 6+ months on....

[nelliebellie]

How did you feel?

My child is almost 8MO and 20lbs, so getting heavier by the day. I'm carrying her around a lot, lifting her off the floor, putting in high chair, up and down the stairs, pushing her in pram, etc.

I'd been feeling the effects in my shoulders and back (which I've always had a bad back, minor scoliosis) but now starting to feel it in my tummy/abs??

My scar doesn't hurt but almost like it hurts deep in the tissue beneath that. Has anyone else experienced this? How did you feel 8 months after your surgery? Is this normal?

I have no family or childcare, DH works full time and travels often, and when I do have 'free' time it's often to shower, do laundry, watch one blessed hour of tv to relax, or catch up on sleep. My child also rarely naps for long stretches so I'm basically on duty from 6am-7pm every day, which leaves me just enough time to clean up the house, have dinner, and collapse.

The thought of having time to go to the gym or even do a video at home is laughable because I have no time or energy. But then also can't work to improve my core strength, and my child is only getting bigger by the day! I'm worried I'll pull something soon if I'm not careful.

TYIA

This doesn’t sound normal OP. I would see the GP. I’ve had 3 csections and have had nothing like this. 8 months after my last I had no effects whatsoever. Infact, I didn’t after month 2.

Agree with @Louise0701, this doesn't sound quite right, OP. Reckon you should make a GP appointment. Two months in I was grand, four months in it was like it never happened (well, apart from the baby 😁)

It did take my body a good year to go back to its normal shape - had a bit of a bulge along the scar - but that was cosmetic only, not what you're describing.

I should add, it's not like a constant bother just feels like everything is an effort if that makes sense.. like I've done a workout or am a bit sore in lower ab/pelvis region just from carrying dc around and doing every day bits.

I was chalking it up to being out of shape post birth, now I'm worried something is wrong with my scar tissue!

Could be scar tissue, could be iron levels, vitamin B levels, a combination of those - sounds like a general check-up is needed.

Sounds bloody tough though

Could be diastasis recti. If you don't heal it the increasing weight of your baby will make it worse. Im suffering 12 months down the line with baby #2 after never healing properly from my first!

Back to 90% normal within a week or so. By 6w, I had a mild bruising feeling if I deliberately pushed on the lower abdomen, but that was it. After this, I've got an area if jo sensation near my belly button, but that's just a weird curiosity really. I also have the overhang/shelf, probably not helped by my cake obsession.

I did/do have issues with my back, but I did before children, and unsurprisingly, lugging children around has made this worse. I think that's more parenting than my sections though.

I'd definitely go and talk to your GP.

Where I am you can self refer to the physio within a year of birth, might be worth looking up your trust’s policy. Look up c section massage, sounds like it might help. Also echo what a pp mentioned about diastasis recti