C-section recovery- how long it takes to feel completely normal

[php2731]

I had C-section almost 4 months back and still have pain sometimes.

I feel pain when I press the area above the incision in my lower abdomen, the pain is internal. How long does this kind of pain and soreness last?

I also feel random pains in my abdomen around the belly button mainly left side, when moving in particular positions like standing up from sitting position, moving around in bed etc. Did I pull up any muscle or is my muscles inside just healing or nerve tissue growing after the operation. ANyone had similar expirience? How long did it take to feel completely normal without any discomfort around the abdomen after C-section? Any massage etc helpful, please let me know.

How long does it take for the tummy to go back to normal after C-sectiohn. Mine still looks 5 months pregnant. Anything that will tone the internal and help release pain.

Have you seen your GP? Always best to rule out problems like infection / separation of abdominal muscles etc

Saying that, I had no 'problems' but didn't feel 'normal' for over a year - and took me that long to stop looking pregnant, too! My scar has almost completely disappeared 3 years later but still feels slightly weak and twingy in that area sometimes.

Thanks MrsMattie for the response. Yes I got checked from my GP, Ultrasound, he says no infection and my uterus also normal.
How does separation of abdominal muscle get detected?
DId u feel similar pains in lower abdomen or was it anywhere in the abdomen, was the pain constant or u felt it when moving in particular positions?
Did doctor mentoined about any scar tissue or adhesion?
Sorry for asking so much but did u do any massage etc to ease pain.

I'd have the "pain" checked out if I were you. I would agree with MrsMattie and say that in each of mine (I've had 3) it was about a year when I was back to my pre-pregnancy weight and feeling "normal" within myself. I was everso conscious of my scar for the first 6 months - it didn't hurt but I was very aware that it was there.

I'm not sure how they diagnose separation of abs, but it is a recognised condition that can happen after pregnancy (c-section or not) and can cause pain and a protruding tummy - worth mentioning to your GP?

I didn't have it, btw! I had no 'real problems' but felt a twingy, 'weak' feeling in my lower abdomen whenever I twisted, bent over, lifted anything or got up too quickly / changed position abruptly. Occasionally, i would get a very sharp, stabbing, almost stitch like pain that would stay for quite a while - up to half an hour - and then completely disappear.

Scar tissue / adhesions were never mentioned to me, no. My GP was only really worried about the sharp pains (said the twingy feelings were very common and could last for any months), but they could never find anything really wrong.

p.s. i didn't use massage, no. I didn't like the feeling of being touched anywhere near my scar! Warm baths helped and, later down the line, gentle pilates-based exercise and pelvic floor exercises helped to strengthen the whole area and made me feel a bit better.

to check your abs try doing a sit-up & stick your fingers in the middle of your abs over/near your belly button. If they are fully closed there should just be a "ridge" as you pull up. If not they are separated - how many fingers you can get in tell you how far separated

I was 6 fingers separated after DS (2nd c/s) - he's 11 months now & I'm still about 1 finger & have "mummy tummy"

I've just bought Julie Tupler's "lose your mummy tummy" book as it came recommended, but it only arrived yesterday, so I've no idea if it's any good.

First time round it was about 18months after DD's em c/s before I felt "normal" - by which point I was already preggo with DS....

Still waiting for the "normal" feeling to return this time round....

Desperate to lose the mummy tummy, so if you find something that works, let me know

THanks all for sharing your expiriences. Never thought that C-section would take such a long time to recover. It seems everyday I face some new symptoms and at almost 4 months after delivery am getting so depressed.

At first I could feel pain in lower abdomen above the incision when pressing it, which i still have. The pain seems comparitively less in the morning than later in day, and more in hectic days. Does this sound familiar?
Also lately i find that the pain is not only confined to the lower abdomen, but feel random pains in my abdomen around the belly button. I am worried as I was not having this pain earlier, but this started 3 days before. Is it normal to have this kind of pain started after 3 months of operation?

MrsMattie was the sharp stabbing pains confined in your lower abdomen only or was it anywhere inside the belly. Did it start right after the c-section or few months later.

Hi there.

It started a few months after the section, I think. It was mainly my lower abdomen, yes, but not just around the scar - felt like it was the muscles deep inside and sometimes to my side.

I think this may be an impossible question.
I felt fine, quite quickly. Def within a few months. I say fine, I never expected my tummy to go back to 'normal'
But I never had any real pains at all, even after I had just left hospital. So I am afraid I don't think I am really the person to ask.

But please go and get yourself checked out. To re-assure yourself.

LongDroopyboobylady I got checked with my GP, did ultrasound of uterus and everyting seemed to be ok. It seems some people take more time to recover, i guess am not the lucky one. As u mentioned it took u a year to feel normal again, were u having similar problems during the first 12 months also?

Sorry, have just seen that you have already been checked by GP.
I wonder if there even IS anyone who specilaises in these things, who could confirm to you that you are actaully recovering normally. Because I suspect , that understandably so, that is all you want to hear - confirmation.

php, I didn't have any pain at all but towards the end of the day would feel as though my scar was "tugging" and put that down to doing too much. I know you've said you've been checked out but if you are worried then go back.

Don't be too hard on yourself - 4 months is not long at all, remember you have had major surgery and are expected to cope with a newborn.

MrsMattie did the lower abdomen pain and stabbing like pains went away by itself or u had to go through some medical procedure. What in your doctors opinoin was causing the pain and when did it finally get away?

Anyone developed bladder/ urinary tract infection after c-section. I got bladder infection after the C0sec, completed antibiiotic course and after that my urine culture showed no infection, but still sometime I have painful(not very intense) urination and my urine is cloudy with few small white tissues,anyone had similar expirience. Is it normal to happen so in case of bldder infection after the section.

Also did anyone face growling,gassy stomach even 4 months after section. The discomfort seems to be more when lying down and in empty stomach. I heared after c-secion sometimes intestinal disorder happens but gradually becomes ok..Anyone faced this?

I had ecsection 14 months ago and my scar still feels weak, if my DS climbs on me around that area it I do feel some pain there and I hate the feeling around the area! I don't think it will ever go! :-(

I had pain on and off for at least a year, probably more (but getting less). But now 2.5 years later have had no problems for ages and just had a perfect VBAC. So worth it and the recovery has been fantastic (so easy compared with after the cs). I never thought I'd see this day. I so hope you all recover. Don't be disheartened though if you still feel your scar after a year. |I did and northing at all now

I haven't read everyones replies as not got time at the mo sorry.

But I had alot of pains in and around my scar when pregnant the 2nd time, so over 1 year after my cs. And was told it was scar adhesions and scar break down pain.

If you think about it they've cut through skin, muscle and your uterus to get to the baby. And when it all heals it can stick together. As you put on or lose weight afterwards your stomach gets bigger/smaller and the scar tissues start breaking down/being pulled apart.

My scar break down pain was worst over on the right hand side inside below my belly button. The pains used to be so bad they'd knock the wind out of me and make my scream out sometimes. I'd say they were a 9/10 pain wise (10/10 being 3rd degree tear with no pain relief!). Full on stabbing pains.

Anyway maybe it could be that? Did your gp not mention that? I know you can get similar things from apentectomys etc too.

I'm hoping this time it all got stretched and broken down enough in pg2 that this time I won't get those pains because they really were horrendous.

I hope they stop and you feel better soon.