C-section Recovery - Tucson,AZ

I've had 2 as well...After my first it was numb for at least a year. This time, 5 months ago, I'm not numb at all. I do have quite a bit of discomfort in the scar tissue externaly and internaly. I was told to massage it and that will help relieve some pain.

I also delivered my daughter via c-section, but 10 months ago, and still have tenderness- especially when she kicks me there while nursing! At 20 months if you're still having a lot of tenderness and pain i would go see your doctor about it. Something may be causing prolonged inflammation. Better safe than sorry!

Hi K.,

I am a chiropractor in scottsdale and have worked with many women pre and postnatally. Like some of the other women were saying, adhesive scarring can occur after surgery essentially "gluing" layers of tissue together that once moved freely. I have used a form of myofascial release (basically an aggressive massage technique) to stretch and seperate the scar layers beneath the skin. If you'd like more info please email ____@____.com may also be able to find a massage therapist or physical therapist who does this, but look for someone with experience working with pre and postnatal women. Good luck!

K.,

I have had a C-section and I'm a certified childbirth educator and doula. Since this has been 20 months and this is not a recent incision, you are probably having scar tissue issues. It is not uncommon for women to feel pain in that area for some time after the operation. Exercise and massage can help alleviate this problem. As long as your physician does not see any other complications with your incision, most physicians would recommend a slow increase in your abdominal exercise routine and massage therapy (Mayan or other types) would be beneficial.

A. D.

K.,

I had a c-section, too, but by the time my son was three months old, I didn't have any pain at all. It was my first surgery, too (I was surprised how much it hurt for the first couple months), but I don't think it should hurt at all nearly two years later -- I'd definitely check with your doctor. Good luck!

-S.

Hi,
I had a c-section 22 months ago. I still have tenderness every now and then. My son also likes to climb on me and that is when I notice it the most. 3 weeks after my c-section, a small part of it split open and it took a while for me to heal from the c-section. I thought this may have been the cause but I have heard from others that they too have tenderness near their c-section scar.
I would still talk to you gynecologist to make sure there is nothing else going on. It could be nothing but just to be safe.

I would say that you probably should visit your doctor just to be safe. Both of my children were born w/o the use of a c-section, although I have had a surgery which was very similar to a c-section. I don't think it is supposed to hurt for that long. Get better soon!

HI K.,

I have never had a c-section but I just got my Masters degree in Chinese Acupuncture and I know for a fact that acupuncture will definitely help the area around the scare to heal. I know there are some homeopathic creams that you can get at any Sprouts or Wild Oats. I can't remember them right at this minute but if you are interested please let me know. The Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture located at 3rd st and Bethany Home has a discounted student clinic that is supervised by licensed acupuncturists and the clinic is open Mon-Sat with morning, afternoon, and evening shifts. The phone number is ###-###-####. Hope this helps!

M. :)

As much as I hate to tell you this, yes it is normal. I still have twinges from mine, and my son was delivered 2 1/2 years ago. Think of it like getting an injury. You just had all the muscles cut apart, resewn together, and truely no healing time since your body is currently attuned to baby needs. There is scar tissue from your top layer of skin down to your uterus. The best you can do is excersise to re-strengthen the muscles, but you will still have occasional "reminders" that you were split open.

HI K.,
I have not had a cesarean birth but in my line of work as a doula I have seen them and known many many women who have. I would reccomend you try Mayan Abdominal Massage. It helps to break up tissue adhesions in the area.
If you search it on google and add denver you will find many practitioners and info about it.
I also reccomend that you check out an ICAN meeting if you haven't yet (International Cesarean Awareness Network). It is such a great group. If you are in Denver there is a meeting coming up soon!
WHEN: 7:30pm to 10:00 pm on the first Tuesday of the month
WHERE: Highlands United Methodist Church on the corner of Osceola (between Federal and Sheridan) and 32nd Street in Denver, Colorado
WHO: Anyone who has experienced a cesarean, is planning a cesarean or vaginal birth after cesarean, and anyone who supports safe and positive birthing.
WHAT: We offer a variety of meeting topics ranging from healing from a cesarean to fostering trust in the birth process. Check back for a current meeting schedule.

Hope this helps

Hey K., I also had a C-section with a lot of tenderness. It turns out I had an infection. I wasn't running a feaver, didn't fell ill or anything like that I was just extreamly tender. I know your C-section was a long time ago but you might want to talk to your doctor to rule out that possibility. Other than that it might be scar tissue adhesions. A physical therapist or possibly even your doctor could show you how to loosen up this tissue. Hope this helps

Hi K.--I had my son via C-section almost 1 year ago. I've noticed also that if he climbs on me or jumps on me, or if I lean into something with that area of my stomach, it is still tender and gets sore easily. It's also weird because I have a lot of numbness above the incision site, but not on the actual scar. But that area doesn't hurt all the time; I don't notice it unless something hits it. My dr. told me that it can take a very long time (if it ever happens) for the incision site to heal and feel fully normal again, but I would suggest that if you notice tenderness all the time, no matter what, and if it is bothersome, that you talk to your dr. about it. It is probably just part of the healing process! I've never had any other surgeries either; my husband has had several major surgeries, all of which were quite a few years ago, and sometimes he even still feels pain. So it's probably normal, but I would mention it to your dr. I hope this helps a little; if you find anything out from your dr., please let me know what he/she said so that I can track my recovery too!:)

J. D.

Doesn't sound normal. You might have a hernia. I'd get it checked out.

Hi K.,
I also had a C-section. From my own experience what you are feeling is very normal. I too felt a lot of tenderness even 3 years after my surgery. It does eventually fade away, but for me it was a slow process. On the other hand, I've had friends who also had c-section and had no problems. My Dr. said that it was probably because I didn't rest properly and I climbed the stairs everyday (my bedroom was upstairs). Anyway, hang in there, hope things get better for you. :-)

Hi K.,

I have had two C-sections and yes, my abdomen was quite tender for awhile, but not for more than a three or four months. You didn't mention if you had consulted your physician or not. If you have and he/she doesn't seem too concerned, I think I would seek a second opinion.

K.

As a doula and mother of three c-sections I can tell you that what you are experiencing is normal. For me I can't say that it gets much better, sorry, you just have to be a little more careful around your little climber. My last C-section was Jan. 14, 2005 and I am in your same boat, I empathize with you and support you in any way that I can. I feel that it is tougher the more c-sections that you have. I would like to know how you ended up with a c-section and if VBAC is something you have considered with your future deliveries? you can email me at ____@____.com if you want to or feel like talking about it. Hang in there!

S.

Hi K., I have had two c-sections, 9/03 and 1/06. My daughter is 7 months and I do not have tenderness at the site, I still have slight numbness in certain areas due to nerves being cut but no pain. Have you talked to your doctor about this?

T.

Hi K.
I have had two c-sections I don't remeber that with my first one but I have had that problem now and my youngest is 1.5. You may want to check with your doctor to make nothing is wrong but I still have place that if one of the children hit hurts quite a bit. Hope this helps.
S.

I have had 2 c-sections and from my experience the abdomen never feels the way it originally did. Next time you go see your ob-gyn mention it and see what they say/have them check you.

I would strongly suggest making an appointment to see your doctor. I haven't had a c-section, but I did get my tubes tied and had problems with tenderness for almost 6 months. They gave me an antibiotic cream to put over the stitches. You might have an infection or might just need to keep your daughter from climbing on you.

K.,

I had a c-section too, 15 months ago. The only thing that I feel is I have no feeling in some parts of my stomache when you run your hand in certin areas, it doesn't hurt just no feeling. I would go to your doc if I were you.

Hello K.,
I have had two C-sections and truthfully I don't remember being in any pain after I returned to work and that was 8 weeks after each child. I would talk to your dr. about the pain you are having.

C.

Hello K.,

I had a C-section 24 months ago. Now I'm feeling a lot better than 10 months ago. It'll become more and more sensitive because your nerves are stretching and you'll feel where you didn't a couple of months ago. I think it's totally normal, but if you want to be sure go with your doctor and he/she will tell you for sure if it's normal or not. Have a nice weekend! Sylvia