C section recovery - incision pain

[JED1990]

I would really appreciate hearing from anyone with similar experience.

I had my second EMCS following a failed vbac 5 days ago. My previous section was in Feb 2023. Recovery both times has been tough but this is 100x worse than before and it’s taken me by surprise. In particular I am really struggling with pain on the side of my incision where the stitches were tied off. When I stand up the pain is pretty agonising - sharp shooting pains that take my breath away. I am really struggling to walk / stand up straight and I also can’t lie flat.

I saw the midwife this morning who took my dressing off and confirmed all looks fine although she could see that the bundle of stitches where I’ve been tied off looks sore.

I am very fortunate to have a supportive husband off work and my mum is nearby and helping lots so I am not doing too much with my toddler (mum guilt around that is a separate thread!). I am keeping on top of pain meds.

Would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has experienced similar - is it normal to be in this much pain on day 5? Last time I was able to walk around fairly normally by this point. Would also love to know how long it took you to feel better. Thank you!

My first section was like that. Sore for 2 weeks I would say. Surgeon just tied off very tightly. It would pull for about 6 weeks even but twinges not the level of pain you’re feeling now.

My second section also had issues with both ends - the tied off side in particular. I had winback tecar therapy at 5 weeks and that really helped straight away! Was a miracle actually.

I had an elective in 2022, I started to get a burning pain about 5-6 days after. I was unable to sit, stand, move etc.
Midwives told everything looked perfect. I had an internal infection and needed 3 sets of antibiotics!
I was housebound for 7 weeks.

Hope you get it sorted and back to feeling more like yourself x

Thank you both for responses - really appreciate it. Good to know that this is not too unusual and hopefully might start to improve soon. If I’m not improving soon I think I’ll go back to the hospital and ask doctor to check. I’ve not heard of winback tecar so am definitely going to look at that too - tysm x

Hiya, sorry to hear you're in so much pain. I had this with my first - when I asked about one side being so much tighter I was told it's a kind of human nature thing - when surgeons are stitching they start furthest away from them and stitches get tighter as they get closer to themselves. I don't know know why? Maybe they aren't stretching as far?! I was told it is quite common for them to be tighter on the side they were standing.

It took me a good 2 weeks to stop walking around bending over with my first, I was in so much pain and I could only do short careful walks after this, building up everyday. By day 5 with my second I basically had no pain and was walking around normally, I couldn't believe the difference between the 2!

Keep an eye for an infection as well though, the end of my wound started to separate and I had antibiotics for it second time around. Really hope it improves soon. Ask your GP for stronger painkillers if you need them - I did not know this was available and suffered with only paracetamol and ibuprofen whilst in enormous pain 😩

Thanks, Imenti. It’s funny how the same procedure can feel so different isn’t it - I think that is what has thrown me off. I think if I am not seeing improvement in the next couple of days I am going to ask about pain relief. I have paracetamol and ibuprofen as well as dihydricodeine - not sure if I can have anything else while bf. Sure there is no other major surgery where the pain relief options are so rubbish…

Totally agree - I was quite worried about having a second c section as my first recovery had been so hard, but didn't have a choice in the end!

I also bf and was able to have codiene for a few days - if they do give you this make sure you get laxatives as well as I had an extremely uncomfortable 45 mins on the toilet after about 3 days and came downstairs to my husband in tears 🤣 one shot of lactose sorted me out though lol. Fingers crossed it gets better soon, especially with a toddler running around too 😩😩💐

Was is the side the surgeon was working on? I've been told that if they need to be a little rough that's why you can have one sided pain.

I did also. It wore off completely around 6 weeks.

Yes my was like that, pretty normal I thought and the pain did eventually go

@AliBaliBee1234 there were two but the consultant was on the other side (I think - I was a bit out of it!). Reassuring to hear this isn’t unusual but if I’ve got a few more weeks of this ahead I’m definitely going to push for more pain relief and see what therapies might be available. Very frustrating as unlike his lovely sister I’ve got a very easy baby so far, but can’t get comfortable to sleep.

really appreciate all the responses x

I used Oromorph morphine post c whilst breastfeeding. It is incredibly effective!

@RugbyMom123 oh really?! I was told they don’t like to give anything morphine based after 72 hours or something. I may ask about this although mobility has improved and pain has eased a little today so I am hoping I’ve started to turn a corner. Really appreciate all the info - the lack of consistency or support with pain management is frustrating!

My second section took so much longer to recover from than the first one did. It was about eight weeks before I felt like I’d recovered to any degree. Keep on top of the pain relief, taking everything they give you regularly, rather than waiting until there is pain.

Oooh OP days 3-5 were so rough for me. I was in agony in exactly the same way that you describe. Please take the pressure off completely to do anything but rest and recover. Time is the best healer and getting the right amount of pain medication is the solution in the short term. Were you prescribed dihydrocodeine? I believe you can take it whilst breastfeeding and it does really help.

@MummyJ36 thank you so much! On Day 12 and finally starting to feel a little more human - helps that I can finally lie down in bed and I managed to get out for a short walk today. Pain where the incision was tied off is still troublesome but I feel I’m getting there. Grateful for all the supportive replies 💕 agree on dihydrocodeine it’s definitely helped!