Awful c-section recovery - jesus!! Is this normal?

[PocketRocket12]

Just that really.

It’s my second planned c section (breech babies). My recovery last time was sore but relatively plain sailing - felt normal ish after 10 days.

This time I’m 14 days post c section and still feel as bad as the day I left hospital. Painkillers round the clock which take the edge off but in constant pain. Walking at snails pace. No bleeding, wound looks fine but sometimes the deep pain in my abdomen takes my breath away and my tummy is still very swollen as it was at about 4/5 months pregnant. Been checked for infection at 11 days as I was sobbing due to sheer pain and they gave me antibiotics but said nothing worrying came up.

I guess my question is is this normal? It’s so tiring being in so much pain, caring for 4yo, looking after newborn. I’d expected some recovery but this feels so intense and long! Feel absolutely useless and frustrated as a usually active and healthy person.

Sorry for the rambling - kind comments much appreciated to help me feel I’m not going mad!

Thanks everyone. So so down and upset from it all. Every single day is the same - it isn’t getting worse but is getting no more manageable. Midwives say the ultrasound and bloods came back clear so they’ve no reason the expect anything bad or have any real idea why it’s such an intense recovery. Pain killers do absolutely nothing to take the edge off. I have a 4yo and newborn and am resting as much as I can but ultimately I can’t lie in bed for weeks, I have to get them bathed, fed, put to bed, manage night feeds. I am going to call GP again tomorrow but even getting myself and baby there is a pain! No real reason for this message but just feeling really sorry for myself and tearful. I love my baby so much and want to be able to focus on enjoying her and not permanently being in agony.

@PocketRocket12 I'm really sorry to read this. Have you tried calling maternity triage? I was told I could get help from maternity triage until 4 weeks post partum. I would think they are more knowledgeable than a GP (with all due respect to GPs). I was assessed over the phone by an obstetrician when I was post partum and clearly extremely anaemic (which was making me very unwell and causing restless legs so I couldn't even sleep when baby was asleep). They then gave me a time to go in the next day.

I’d definitely be asking about specific nerve pain relief meds like nortriptylene, only issue is that it can make you feel wiped out which isn’t ideal. No idea if it’s ok if you’re breastfeeding.

I would second speaking to maternity and not GP. You need someone more specialised, this doesn’t sound right.

I also think you need more help. Your husband needs to take more time off or a friend or family member needs to step in, you need to actually rest. It sounds a bit like you’re doing everything. Does your husband take over when he gets home?

good luck x

Is it definitely nerve pain? Have they ruled out adhesions? I'm really sorry you're in so much pain, it sounds horrid.

Poor you, this sounds bad. Is tramadol or morphine a possibility?

How are you now OP?

Hi everyone. 5 weeks pp now and still in pain, although it has reduced since last week and I’d say is a moderate / manageable pain. It’s constant, regardless of what I’m doing, and still feels quite superficial/skin level.

The midwives have been amazing advocating for me - I’ve been back into triage once again and had another ultrasound, blood tests and exam from consultant who performed my surgery. All tests show nothing “wrong” and doctor told me frankly I am just “unlucky” and prescribed a bit more pain meds.

I have argued my case and am now going for an MRI in a week for peace of mind to rule anything else out but looks like I may just be having an unfortunately long recovery. So annoying and disheartening. Any kind words welcome as I’m feeling quite low from it all! My darling baby is wonderful and would like to do simple things like push her pram very soon.

I think it sounds positive that the pain is reducing, hopefully that trend will continue. But certainly sounds like you’ve been through it.

Sorry that you're still in pain. I didn't have a great experience with my ESC. I got an infection 2 weeks after which felt like a constant Chinese burn and took another 2 weeks to clear. I felt weird inside, like my organs weren't in the right place and couldn't stand up straight as it felt like something was 'catching' inside.

I went to a post natal Pilates class which was run by a physio. She was brilliant. She got me moving and finally 5 months later I felt what can only be described as a feeling of my organs 'unsticking' inside and I could finally stand up straight and everything was fine from then.

So, I think some of us are just unlucky with the recovery from a CS. I always advise people not to have one unless it's absolutely necessary!

I hope you start to feel better soon. Try not to let it spoil your time with your new baby. And maybe go and see a physio that specialises in post natal care? They may be able to help you.

Just wanted to message to let you know you're not alone, I'm at 7 weeks post c section and experiencing very similar things to you which I've also been told is "normal". My scar has sections which burn like someone's holding a lighter to them, and I've got completely numb patches too. There's no part that feels 'normal' to me, it's either numb or burning.

I can't believe people say that a c section is the easy way out, all the mums I know who had a natural birth were back driving and going out within a few days, while I'm months down the road still experiencing horrible side effects. I'm starting to realise I'll probably never get better, more that I'll just get used to it.