C section pain returned at 3 weeks

[Armo24]

I had an emergency c section 3 weeks ago which was healing nicely until I felt almost normal at the 2 week mark, to the point where I could easily forget to take my painkillers with no consequences - I stupidly started moving around more, bombing up and down the stairs, getting on the floor to change nappies, etc, and went on some longer walks and am worried I’ve set myself back as the pain is back to how it was immediately after the op and I’m having to take painkillers every 4 hours again. Is this from overdoing things or could a return of pain be a sign of infection? (I have no other infection symptoms and there’s no bleeding). After a traumatic labour that ended in an emergency section and with the challenges of caring for my first baby I feel quite anxious at the moment so would really like to know if the pain can come back with a vengeance like this or if there could be something more serious going on?

I’d ring 111 for advice, you might have an infection.

I had an infection present at 3 weeks, it took time to surface as the wound is deep. I'd get yourself checked to be on the safe side. Hope all works out well.

Yeah definitely get checked out in case it's an infection. My pain did get slightly worse if I'd been overdoing things but definitely not to that extent.

Yes same here. First c section pain got worse if I overdid it,, but I don’t remember it being that bad . 2nd c section I got an infection, but hv said it looked ok and it was a couple of weeks after birth when I called 111 and someone lovely initially reassured me then , I think I started crying, said do you want someone to look at it and booked me in with an out of hrs GP. It had got to the point when I felt so unwell and I remember unloading the dishwasher took 40 minutes. I did have an infection and I knew it didn’t feel right, so I guess what I’m trying to say is, yes, get it checked but if it still doesn’t feel right and you feel generally ill, do get it checked again. Hope you feel better soon!

Can I ask what it felt like and what the symptoms were?

And thanks everyone, this sounds like sensible advice - it’s just I’ve had to drag my baby and partner back into hospital so many times since the birth due to high blood pressure (which I’ve always had and has never resulted in pre eclampsia) so I’m really keen to avoid going in again. Was hoping it was normal for pain to return but that doesn’t seem to be the case!

(As in what the infection felt like and what the symptoms of it were?)

I felt generally unwell and it didn’t feel like the previous c section but that’s no help to you. Here’s an nhs source re wound healing, but might be best to check with 111, even if all they do at this stage is tell you what to look out for. I similarly didn’t want to go anywhere but it’s likely to be gp not hospital I think if you are in uk.
https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/identifying-a-wound-infection/#what-are-the-signs-and-symptoms-of-wound-infection

Thank you so much, really appreciate it x

I overdid at about that point too and ended up with awful shooting pain that felt like it was from a nerve. Not actually in my wound, a few inches above. It was worse than when I first had the op and I could barely get off the sofa. No infection though and it had resolved within a week. Without any other symptoms of infection I wouldn't be too worried, it's hopefully just your body reminding you to slow down.

That’s exactly how it feels!

@Armo24 The midwives weren't too concerned with my symptoms and thought it was just things rejoining and healing, it was agony though. Is yours continuous? Mine was fine if I was still and sitting but sharp pains when I moved.

Yes just when I move - say to stand up from sofa etc or if I shift position, there’ll be a sharp shooting pain that will linger and feel sore. And only on one side. Definitely taking it easier now, going slower and not skipping painkillers. And that’s very reassuring, thank you so much for sharing your experience!

Just thought I’d update in case anyone else is searching for similar - this turned out to be both me overdoing it and horribly painful trapped wind which can happen after a c section apparently (no one warned me!). The pain faded a few days later!