Shoulder pain post CS - tips on how to avoid or manage please.

[ValiumQueen]

I have been told peppermint is the answer, but how is it best to take it? Any other ideas? I found this was the worst part of having a section, and as I am doing it all again in 6 weeks time, I would rather avoid it.

Many thanks.

This was the worst thing for me too - agony! I suffered for a few days before mentioning to the midwife - she immediately gave me peppermint water, just 20ml or something and it did the trick. You may not get it this time - I had a friend who had it in after first c section but not 2nd or 3rd.

Thank you take3 I asked the midwife, and she looked at me like I was stupid, and said she didn't have a clue about it. I will google peppermint water as I have never seen it sold anywhere.

I had this in my right shoulder with my second cs 7 weeks ago. The hospital physio explained that it's due to excess air in the abdomen pushing upwards. On the left side, it pushes into the stomach, which is squashy, but on the right, it pushes up into the liver, which is hard, which in turn presses on the nerves connecting to the right shoulder. Not sure if I've explained that very well, but anyway, it eased within about a day. Peppermint tea also helped, as did an exercise designed to move trapped wind, where you lay on your back, knees bent up, feet on the bed, and gently rock your knees from side to side (keeping them together).