Don't feel right years since last c section

[SomewhatMental]

Hi, just some background, I have had 3 c sections..child number 1 was an emergency c section in 2012 at just 26 weeks, recovery was stressful, had severe eclampsia then postpartum preeclampsia, also they had to reopen me 3 days PP because I got a haematoma (blood clot) inside incision..I couldn't stand up straight or walk properly for 2 weeks PP. Child number 2 in 2016 was full term, elective c section, complication free and straightforward recovery. Then birth number 3 happened just a year after that section in 2017, it was a rushed category 1 section as baby was dying inside me..they were pretty rough and rushed with me and I was put to sleep. Recovery wise wasn't great I had horrendous pain and my bowels were very messed up for weeks. I was told that they found my bladder stuck to my uterus.

Unfortunately I really neglected myself recovery wise after the final birth. I tried to rush my recovery, I was an emotional wreck and I was lifting my then 1 year old a lot when I really shouldn't have. I pushed myself far too much.

I seemed OK for a few years, but this year I've been feeling so uncomfortable. I started a job last year that requires me to be on my feet all day and lift boxes and im a lot more active now than I was as a SAHM.

My symptoms:
Rock hard bloated stomach area at the end of each day
'Gnawing' pain in stomach after I eat
Pain in my gut area, and bloating like I'm 6 months pregnant
'Indented' section scar (so the scar itself pulls inward)
Pain under ribs

This is a daily occurance. I've long suspected I've got diastasis recti because my tummy doesn't go down when I'm laying down, and my stomach muscles when pressing on them in the middle don't seem to be all there.

Anyone have any advice or experience of abdominal issues like this post section?? I can't be the only one

Hi,

I haven't had a C section so not exactly the same but the abdominal issues do sound like they could be related to diastasis recti. My DR was diagnosed when I was referred to a women's physiotherapy specialist after some severe pelvic floor issues post 3rd degree tear and I happened to mention that my stomach coned when I sat up. She confirmed I had a 4 finger gap. My tummy always bulged more around the middle and my belly button remained an "outie" Regardless of the food I ate I always bloated out after every meal also.

You can check to see if you've got DR yourself if you'd prefer as there's plenty of videos and guides on youtube but definitely see if you can get yourself a referral to a physio that specialises in pelvic floor and DR recovery as mine was brilliant and closed my gap down to half a finger (clinically normal apparently) and my symptoms mostly disappeared. I wore an ab binder in the beginning whilst I was doing any lifting as she said that would stop me making things worse whilst I built the strength back up so could be something to consider if your job needs you to do a lot of lifting?

Hope this helps a little and that you get some relief from your symptoms soon!

Sounds like my coeliac disease? Did you ever get to the bottom of it OP