Pain After C-section

Hi E.,

I would call my doctor there is no reason to wait over the weekend. If it is nothing then at least you won't have to worry anymore.

Hi. I've had 3 c-sections and each one was different. And each one took longer to heal than before. You had MAJOR SURGERY and will need plenty of time for recovery. You said 'It hurts really bad, especially when I reach, sit, get up, pick up the kids, etc.'
Girlfriend, Since you haven't even had your 6 week checkup, you should not have been doing any of these things yet (except for the 'sitting'...do LOTS of that and enjoy your babies). Believe me, by my 3rd section, I finally learned to take it easy and not do too much.
If you don't have a fever, (sign of infection) the symptoms seem pretty normal. You're doctor will thoroughly examine you anyway. But know this. It's been 8 years since my last c-section, and I STILL have a tender area where my incision was made, especially when there is pressure put there like when I hold my kids in my lap.
If you're really concerned, call your ob's office, but it sounds pretty normal to me. Hope I made you feel a little better, and have a great day!

E.;
It could be scar tissue, but it could be something else? I recommend going in sooner than your six weeks to be sure and safe. (Remember: everyone has different pain that is totally unique to them. Each signal means something different. Your doctor should be able to help you.)

I would get into the doctor now. It sounds like you may have an infection.

Ummm...call me stupid but what exactly is a 'self-vag exam'???

Anyway...I had abd surgery and the wound got infected (extremely common due to the nature of the site). Then I had a c-sec and was up walking pain free by day 4! My point is that it could be anything...call the doc that's what they are ther for.

~L.

Sounds like you have a hematoma there (hardened blood clot). Not to worry though, the doctor will take care of whatever it is and you will be just fine. For now, just try to be careful so you do not aggrivate it any further.

After my first c-section (emergency), I went through hell for 6 months (tore the stitches open,couldn't go to the bathroom without feeling like all my insides were going to come out, hemorrhaging, etc.), but it eventually got better and my next child was a natural birth (with episiotomy) and the next was a planned c-section (his head was stuck in my rib cage and still had to be taken feet first). My tubal-ligation was the easiest to recover from...wait, no, my breast lump removal has been my easiest surgery so far. I've also had a few other surgeries and I have another 6 surgeries still to go before I'm better. Next one is planned for December 1st. One thing I have learned...you will bounce back before you know it...no matter how bad it is.

Best of luck!

Hi E.,
I hope this message finds you in good health and spirits.

I experienced more pain with my first C-section than any other. The recovery time was much greater. The hardness or knot type feeling did go away for me with the healing. With any type of gestures, I would hold a pillow around my stomach to comfort the pain; and surprisingly it helped. Please be careful with lifting the older (heavier) children because it causes strain.

Be sure to inform your doctor of the pain you are experiencing, with my doctor he always insisted that I contact him or come in if the pain was unbearable.
Take care
Taneshia

After I had my csection i still had pain after my 6 week checkup.. its most likely just in the healing stage still and just hurts because of that and the hard ball is probably scar tissue ..... they do suck and i would never have one again ... hopefully you feel better soon

Call your OB tomorrow. I had the same issues including the hard knot inside above the incision!!! Even though I'm a few months past it I appreciate reading your question. Unfortunately none of the moms around me related to this so I felt a little nuts or like I should be doing more. They seemed to be back up and running more quickly. Not knowing if this was normal or not I went back to my doctor a few times. Poor guy. I'll say it's always best to go in and get your Drs advice but Im happy to relate my experience. It turned out to just be normal for my body. Remember it is major surgery and everyone will recover differently. My Dr gave me something for pain that didn't make me too sleepy to handle the baby. There are also support straps you can get that will help until those muscles strengthen. As long as the doc gives you the ok I say just hang in there!! It takes a few more weeks so rest as much as you can. Give your body the time it needs to heal. And don't be afraid to ask for help during what is a highly stressful time anyway. Then just enjoy this time. Congratulations on your new arrival and I hope this helps.

I had a c section about 7 months ago and I am still healing from the cut! A little unusuall but my cut is a huge scar and the area around is still very sore. You have to remember they cut all the way through your stomach through nerves and a layer of fat. you have to give it time to reconnect and grow back to normal 6 weeks is nothing for a c section.
the hard ball you talk about could be a torn internal stich or even a hurnia! Even if you feel great and full of energy you really need to take it easy for at least a full 3 months!
Try and apply rotating ice and heat. Just take it easy no laundry up staris, (your husband can lift it when he gets home!) no heavy groceries, limit the lifting of your older child. I know its a huge inconveince and at times seems silly but better to take it easy now and heal the right way than risk complications another surgery and possible a lifetime of pain and problems. Please remember what you just went through is no toothach you just had major surgury and was pregnant for almost a year. the best mom you can be for your kids is a mom that loves herself and takes care of herself and is healthy!!
good luck to you!

HI E.,
I had the same thing after my 2nd c-section. Turned out to be scar tissue that had built up along the site. Yes, it's very painfull. But, my doc told me that stretching and exercise will disolve it and it will go away. Mine took about 3 -4 months (I think - it's been 5 yrs) to go away. Make sure you are completely healed before starting any stretching or exercise program.
Good Luck!

If you say there is a hard ball underneath the incision it could be a hematoma(collection of blood) you should definetly have it checked out, it could be just normal healing but its worth getting checked!

E.,

I had to have a c-section with my first and only. I don't know if I had the exact same pain as you but I would often feel a sting sensation and they said that it was just my insides healing. If you feel a hard lump though I would definately question it. Maybe just try calling the nurse and asking the question about it. They should be able to tell you then if you need to come back in sooner...

E.,
Definitly keep that Dr's appt. I have had 5 c-sections and it sounds pretty normal. Your body has had a major trauma to it (being cut open through so many layers of tissue) it will take some time to heal. The more you do, the more you are working muscles that have (1) been stretched and weakened to accomodate a growing baby inside you; (and 2) those same muscles have most likely been "babied" since you have had your baby. There will be some soreness in your recovery, especially if you haven't been very physical since the baby was delivered. The more you do, the less it will hurt. This has been my experience anyway.

The hard ball you describe feeling inside you is most likely scar tissue. Your body will make quite a bit of it, and there will possibly be more hard spots as your body continues healing. I was told once that your body takes 9-12 months to really complete the healing process. I would ask the Dr about this at your next appt.

I wouldn't get too worried about it, but by all means ask questions! Lots of questions, thats how we learn! God bless you and your new baby.

Hey E.,

You have received a lot of advice. I went through the very same thing you did, but on my 1st c-section. I was in the hospital for 6 days with it and when I went to leave (via wheelchair) I screamed out in pain because that "hard ball" caused SO much pain. It turned out it's called an "Anchor Knot". Its where they anchored the inside stiches since in a c-section they have to cut through a couple of layers. I was in so much pain that I wanted them to x-ray me because I was sure they had left a pair of scissors in me that where cutting there way out.
It took quite a while for the feeling to go away, but it does get better.

It sounds like it could be infected--you should try to get into the doctor right away.

I had a c-section a couple years ago. I had major pain for about 2 months especially after walking a lot. I did not completely heal until 8 months later. I think if you could take it easy for a couple more weeks, I would hope it would get better and then of course probably just be extra sore when you do certain activities.

More then likely it is adhesions from your scar. I had a 'hard ball' area on my incision for quite awhile. Scar tissue. Sometimes the scar tissue adheres to the muscles and then it creates pain.

You will also feel tingles and such while the nerves and tissue are healing.

However, if it is severe pain, the skin looks red and swollen, or you have pain if you do a self-vag exam ... then you DO need to see your doc right away.

If you just want peace of mind, go sooner. No harm in being sure.

I would call the Dr and ask them what they think!

Hi E.,

I to, had intense pain with my c-section (first, and so far only). My initial healing went very well and I was off the pain killers within 6 days but for at least 8-10 weeks after, I had this intense searing/burning sensation if I stretched to far, sat up to fast (especially in bed), or just moved in the wrong (which I didn't no was wrong until the searing pain came) direction. My doctor said it was normal healing and that it would eventually go away. He said that my muscles were being stretched out as a result of being sewn/stapled together after the operation. I also had a hard bump that went away with time as well. I don't know if this helps, but I do hope you feel better!!