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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

C-section scar tissue agony

28 replies

AhaShakeHeartbreak12 · 24/05/2021 01:32

Hi,

I'm 28 weeks pregnant. For relevance I had my first csection 19 months ago and will be having another in 3 months. I have severe keloid scars, so my scar tissue will be keloided.

Having regular flare ups of absolute agonising pain around my lower right side of my stomach, not on my csection scar itself. It's the exact same pain I experienced within the first few days of recovery after my first csection.

Most of the time it's manageable, but there is time where it completely floors me. The pain is intense, burning and pulling and I can't move when it happens. I've tried paracetamol, cold compresses and I can't have anything touching my stomach as in bed covers, T-shirt's as it makes it worse.

It can last a few hours at a time.

My MAU initially said it was just regular aches and pains, but is this normal to be unable to move and crying in agony? I'm worried my scar tissue is thinning and there's a problem.

Has anyone had this?

OP posts:
Plinkplonk1234 · 24/05/2021 01:39

I'm sorry I can't be of any help except to sympathise. I only had one c section and it was on my last birth but the thought of what you are going through has me cringing in sympathy. I hope you get help soon.Flowers

MyDarlingWhatIfYouFly · 24/05/2021 01:53

I think this is more common if your c-sec and pregnancy are less than 2 years apart. Did you see a midwife or doctor at MAU? Do you have a number you can call them on? I think it's worth getting checked out again and let them know that you have severe pain, and it doesn't feel normal.

NiceGerbil · 24/05/2021 02:16

Talk to doc midwife or similar

No it's not normal. Mine didn't bother me at all

Original poster
AhaShakeHeartbreak12 · 24/05/2021 05:48

I'm calling MAU now as pain is still there, although not as bad but definetly there

OP posts:
Original poster
AhaShakeHeartbreak12 · 24/05/2021 08:27

I was told over the phone by a midwife that is just muscular and that it's normal? This is the second time I've been keeled over unable to move only to be told that it's normal.

I'm conscious of having a tear or some kind of issue with keloided scar tissue. No one seems interested. Today I can walk, but struggling to pick my 19 month old up.

The pain is barable today but I'm quite upset that they won't take me seriously

OP posts:
SwanShaped · 24/05/2021 08:35

I had two c sections, similar time scales. The c section scar didn’t hurt at all.

Original poster
AhaShakeHeartbreak12 · 24/05/2021 08:51

@SwanShaped it's the ride side of my lower stomach, sort of below the belly button but above the scar

I do have a severely keloided scar so I expected some pain there but not where this pain is and o definetly didn't expect it to be so bad that I couldn't move

They just said it's muscular and my skin stretching

I had an over 10lb baby with my first and didn't have any stretching pain Sad

OP posts:
MimiDaisy11 · 24/05/2021 09:17

Sorry, you're not being taken seriously. I don't have any advice as haven't experienced this. Are there any support groups online? I also wouldn't worry about keeping at them until they take you seriously. It can't be normal and acceptable to be at that level of pain.

Original poster
AhaShakeHeartbreak12 · 24/05/2021 09:27

Even if it was muscular I just don't see how I should be left with this much pain Sad I keep thinking how scary it would've been if I was alone and my son needed me. It lasted for hours to the point where I fell asleep in pain and kept waking up knowing I couldn't move or the pain would get worse

I don't think it should be dismissed Sad

OP posts:
SwanShaped · 24/05/2021 09:49

No, it doesn’t sound good to be in that much pain. I’d be worried too. Can you call again?

SwanShaped · 24/05/2021 09:50

It’s probably not, but have you considered appendicitis?

espressoontap · 24/05/2021 10:02

Another one saying appendicitis. I had it at 24 weeks pregnant but it kept flaring up throughout the pregnancy. It was AGONY! Anyway, the day I realised what it was I was fobbed off by delivery suite saying it was gastroenteritis Hmm I'm a nurse so marched over to the main hospital, went to the surgical assessment unit and said I was worried it was appendicitis. Bloods done showing I was septic. MRI done and I was being wheeled to theatre. Go to A&E. baby was fine - she's 7 months now.

MyBabyBoyBlue · 24/05/2021 10:06

I would go in to triage. I did the same with mine (had similar issue) and they admitted me for a few days to keep an eye on me and gave me an extra scan to check the scar tissue. You shouldn't be in this much pain.

Original poster
AhaShakeHeartbreak12 · 24/05/2021 10:41

I hadn't thought of appendicitis, I have no symptoms other than the burning sensation when I move. It's calmed down to only hurting when I move and it's probably a 3/10 rather than the 10/10 it was last night

I've got a GP calling me today because MAU aren't interested Hmm I will ask about appendicitis

OP posts:
lamptastic · 24/05/2021 11:20

I would want to be cleared of appendicitis. Insist on assessment on those grounds, especially if you feel feverish, severe pain and generally unwell.

I'm quite disappointed you haven't been assessed already to be honest with severe lower right abdominal pain. Hmm

Original poster
AhaShakeHeartbreak12 · 24/05/2021 11:25

@lamptastic she literally said "it's just muscular it's normal, nothing we could do if you come in"

Amazing how she come to that conclusion over a five minute phone call. Dismissed me when I said it wasn't normal

OP posts:
BobinRobin · 24/05/2021 11:35

Your midwives sound shit and believe me there are lots of incompetent midwives out there, well done for going above them and seeing a doctor. Tbh though GPs are pretty useless at specialised pregnancy stuff so maybe play it 'politically' saying at the start how disappointed you are at the MWs not caring for you.
Only one or two MWs for me were worth their salt, the rest were only interested in reduced movements Hmm

SwanShaped · 24/05/2021 12:45

10/10 pain is not normal. Even 3/10 is too much. Hope GP is better.

Mimsytove · 24/05/2021 12:52

I had had a c-section and a further operation in that area by the time I was pregnant with my second child. I felt very often it was fairly uncomfortable as I could feel the internal adhesions being stretched.

I was also concerned about uterine rupture. Once the baby got past a certain size it did not hurt anymore. I went on to have a 2nd c section.

The issue has not resolved and I am sure I am glued together inside and have pain during my period.

But I did not have the pain levels you currently have.

SwanShaped · 25/05/2021 07:25

Are you ok OP?

espressoontap · 25/05/2021 22:44

@AhaShakeHeartbreak12 how are you? X

NiceGerbil · 25/05/2021 23:32

OP you need to call someone else.

It's definitely not usual.

IME (and this is just my personal experience) midwives can be really dismissive.

Ring your GP.

lisamarii · 25/05/2021 23:42

I had some stretching pains around 17 weeks pregnant after c section but not to the level you have described. They initially thought my pain was to do with my bladder and I had a scan which was clear hence concluding it was stretching. I'd definitely push for a more thorough examination.
It turns out I did have thinning of my scar and a vbac would have been a disaster but I'd never of known had the surgeon not told me.

I do know people who say their scar aches after exercise, lots of lifting etc.

NiceGerbil · 26/05/2021 00:28

GP first thing OP promise?

SwanShaped · 27/05/2021 16:58

Did you get it check out?

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