C section recovery

[Bobbieiris]

I had an emergency C section two weeks ago and the initial soreness and discomfort has finally gone but I still have an intense pulling near my groin that feels like muscle strain, so still having to take paracetamol and ibuprofen every 4 hours. The midwife has said it’s nothing to worry about and it should go away, but it’s really getting me down as my babies are in SCBU and I feel the pulling every day getting in and out the taxi/car when travelling to the hospital and I feel very limited in my movements so keep having to ask the nurses for help. Has anyone else had similar pain following a C section?

Hello, yes I did. My DD is now just over 5 months old; and really it only stopped twinging probably 2 months ago. It's a really weird feeling too; and the area above it was numb for ages. I found after maybe 8 weeks gently massaging the whole area helped. 2 weeks is no time at all. I think I managed to open up my stitches at 3 weeks which basically made me slow down. Nothing happened - but taking it easier definitely helped. It's scary but the old adage I'm afraid - it just takes time. Hope your babies are doing well!

@jellycount I feel better to know that this is normal and it’s something that goes away! It’s a very odd feeling! Babies are doing well thank you :)

Take your time. It's only after 6 months you feel more normal. Try not to overdo it, if you can.

@JDob thank you. Yesterday the nurse on SCBU really stressed me out because she kept telling me I should have healed up after two weeks and was a bit funny about me asking her to help hand the babies to me, then I ended up feeling worse because I was trying to do things myself….its so hard to have to ask for help all the time.

I was mainly healed after 2 weeks but nowhere near able to do what I could do pre pregnancy. It was 7 months before the twinges stopped. I’ve got that split muscle thing which did slow recovery down.

hey yes - felt this for months after, and it's still numb in a couple of places 18 months later, although that's getting better.

By "healing within 2 weeks" your midwife means that the actual wound should have closed superficially on the surface by now. But they cut through many layers of tissue and each one needs to naturally mesh and there are nerves that are involved. So it takes months to heal (and that's why the NHS recommends you wait 6 weeks to exercise or drive). Also, why the NHS recommends 18 months to get pregnant again if you have a c-section.

So please know you are at an early stage of your healing - keep your scar clean and it will soon feel better and easier.

I overdid it 5 weeks in and that caused me pain - so honestly don't overdo it (carrying baby is obviously fine - but even that is tough at this time)

@Autumn1990 glad to know I’m not the only one who is slower to heal. I’m in my 30s so assuming it’s harder to bounce back! Did you have physio for the split muscles?

@Namechangedforthis25 thank you. I think I am noticing it more when I am at home than when I am on the ward with the babies as they are keeping me busy and distracted. I’m trying to find a balance between being there with them and taking the chance to rest at home! I was starting to feel a lot better so maybe over did it a little with going for longer walks and things

I found it painful going over bumps in the road for two months at least