Big full body fall onto tarmac 2.5 weeks after C section - how bad is the damage likely to be? 😞

[imissmascara]

I’ve just tripped over a tree trunk in a park, I was holding a coffee cup in each hand. I fell forward with force and no way to break my fall due to not having a spare hand. I’ve landed mostly on my right side - my shoulder appears to have caught the brunt of the fall and it’s sore to lift my arm too high. I also made contact with my right elbow, right knee, and the palms of both hands are grazed.

DH had a quick discreet check of my wound and it appears intact but my worry is what damage may have been caused inside. I’m worried this has completely fucked my recovery. Does anyone know what internal damage it’s likely to have caused?

Bump.

I’d give the number on your red book a call and see what the midwives have to say. They may advise you go in to get it checked out.

Hope you’re feeling OK. Sounds painful

Ouch! I don't have any advice but I wanted to give you my sympathies (and a bump)! What a thing to happen right after giving birth. I hope you're resting up as much as possible and that's there's no lasting damage.

Thank you I will call the midwives.

Glad you are ringing them, if not minor injuries, you should probably have your shoulder checked as well.

Get your shoulder checked. I fell holding a hot drink, left shoulder took the brunt. Couldn't lift arm properly, my shoulder was fractured and had to have physio to get full range of movement back

Ouch! Do give them a ring and get your shoulder checked as well. My dh ignored a sore shoulder with limited movement for a few hours at work and he had broken it. I think with these injuries the sooner you get the exercises and how to lift carefully etc the better the outcome will be!

Thanks all, going to a walk in centre now although it closes at 8pm so expecting them to tell me to come back tomorrow.

The range of pain-free movement in my arm has become quite limited and it was uncomfortable to hold DS to feed earlier 😞 Just can’t believe this. It’s the last thing I need.

The day after my c section I fainted and ended up on the floor under my hospital bed. I was fine. It amazed me that I didn't damage my wound. Hope you are okay OP.

Sounds like it may have done something to your shoulder, which sounds like it's not going to have done too much to your lower abdomen. Hope you get some answers from the medics.

How are you getting on today? Did you get seen by the walk in centre.?

Hi, I did get seen that evening which I was very pleased about. I had an x-ray and nothing was broken so it’s just a soft tissue injury. It’s really bloody sore though and my range of movement is very limited. DH reminded me that I’ve had a shoulder injury before when I tripped over some loose carpet at a hotel and fell down a couple of stairs. It took months to get better. So I’m quite worried and apprehensive about how this will go. It was very tricky picking DS up in bed last night and the night before.

Also, my c section scar is sore today on the side I fell. The outside looks fine but I’m worried about the internal stitches. But I guess there’s no way to check those?

Honestly, I can’t believe my bad luck.

With all the pregnancy hormones your joints are still looser than usual, which can make soft tissue damage worse.

Set everything up so you use that shoulder as little as possible. Get your husband to lift out of the cot and bring him downstairs. Then you live downstairs using a Moses basket which will be easier on your shoulder. But as much in place to help you as you can.

And NO housework. Especially using the vacuum cleaner. You just need to focus on rest abs looking after your little one.

Unfortunately the pain is just the same today as it was the day after I fell. To extend the arm in certain positions brings a sharp jolt of pain. I can’t get dressed in t shirts etc, or tie my hair in a pony tail. It feels as though the pain is coming from my humerus bone rather than my shoulder. It’s sore to lift my elbows out to the side (as if I were doing the ‘chicken dance’). It’s sore when supporting DS to feed on that side. Holding him up e.g. to wind him, pick him up, or switch sides for feeding, is really sore.

I’m wondering whether to go back to the walk in centre to ask for an upper arm x ray? This is going to take forever to get better, isn’t it ☹️

Yes to both!

Go to the walk in and explain the problems - it is very easy to miss injuries at the time of the accident due to swelling and pain doesn’t always come from the injury site.

But it is also going to take a long time. Soft tissue injuries can take longer than breaks to heal. And there is no way to speed it up.

Unbelievably - one month later, the X rays have been reviewed by a radiographer, whose report states that a fracture of my humerus ‘cannot be ruled out!’

No wonder it’s so sore and hasn’t improved!

Meanwhile my EBF, velcro baby who only sleeps in my arms is now 5kg..!

Have you been given an appointment to get further treatment/ physio?

It is so hard when you have a little one but do prioritise your health or you can set up long term impacts.

Yes, I have been given a physio appointment for Thursday thankfully so hopefully will get some good advice there!

When I had a shoulder injury (but no baby) I found button up tops and front fastening bras were great.
Rest it in a sling too when you can.