Recovery After C-section

Updated on September 19, 2008
Y.K. asks from Forest Hills, NY
5 answers

I had a c-section after 24 hours of labor and an epidural about a week and a half ago. Now I have pain mid-section of my back. Doctor told me that it had nothing to do with the c-section or epidural. Is that true? How many of you had the same problem? I have have lots of pain urinating, and my lower right abdominal also feels like it has a black and blue when I pee especially. Did anyone experience these pains and have any advice for me. How long does this last? These are just some of my many pains.

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K.K.

answers from New York on

Hi there. I had a scheduled c-section 17 months ago and I felt everything that you were feeling for the 1st 4 days after the surgery. Maybe your body is healing from the 24 hrs of labor in addition to the surgery. That is a lot of stress on the body. My abdomen was sore & my back bothered me from the spinal about 1 1/2 weeks after delivery. Did you rest enough after the surgery? Did you lift something heavy or climb too many stairs? Are you taking the pain killers or Motrin? These drugs definitely helped with the pain and uncomfortableness. I felt the abdominal & back pain when I went overboard and then I took it easy. It took about a 6 weeks to feel close to 100%. If you feel that you are not comfortable with your doctor's answer, get a 2nd opinion. Hang in there and Good Luck!

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M.P.

answers from New York on

Hi,
I had 2 c-sections and with the first one I had really bad lower back pains. My ob/gyn attributed it to the widening of the pelvic area and that it just took some time to strengthen the muscles around that area. Try hot pads, they worked miracles. With my second, I had similar symptoms and those were bladder issues that were probably cathetar related. You may have a bladder infection. Send in a urine sample just to rule it out.......
Good luck & Congrats on your new baby!
M.

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R.D.

answers from New York on

Oh do I remember pain and discomfort. The pain could be regular healing (you did have major surgery after all) and it could also be other things. Do you have fever? Trust your gut and demand further checking out. You have a lot on your mind with a new baby and worrying about your health is something you can resolve by demanding care from your Dr or a different Dr - Don't let the Dr talk you away from the kind of attention you seek.

Congrats on your new cutie!
R.

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M.K.

answers from New York on

The back pain sounds like post epidural pain. Many women experience pins & needles kind of sensation or even pain in the site (myself included). Mine lasted at least 8 months after. As for the bruise feeling and urination discomfort, that could be from the catheter OR it could definitely be from the c-section, because they open you up and move all your organs around. It takes several months for everything to settle back into place where your body likes things. I find it so annoying when doctors say it can't have anything to do with surgery when they can't explain it medically.

Maybe go for a second opinion and see your general practitioner. The pain urinating could be a urinary tract infection or bladder infection brought on by the irritation of the catheter.

Just my two cents.

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E.E.

answers from New York on

This sounds totally normal. I remember feeling back pain too. This also can be from breastfeeding if you are hunching over, although I remember that I didn't want to sit up straight because it hurt, so this also contributes to the pain. My back was sore for weeks. I think it felt strange to pee for a while and I figured that was just from having a catheter for a few days while I was in the hospital. It got back to normal after a few weeks. I would talk to your doctor if you are still feeling this pain after a few weeks. You have to remember that your body just went through major surgery and that it takes a long time for you to recover. My incision was sore for a long time. The pain does go away in about a month but I didn't start feeling "normal" again for about 4 months, and my son is now almost 8 months old and my scar has faded a lot but it still is numb around it. Make sure to take it easy and have your family help you as much as possible. You can also take ibuprofin for the pain and this is safe for breastfeeding too. Don't worry about housework or anything except feeding the baby or you will overdo it and won't heal as quickly. Get your husband to bring the baby to you for feedings so you don't have to bend so much. But do try to walk a little bit every day, even if it's just to get the mail. Walking will help decrease the swelling in your feet and stomach. Don't worry about trying to lose any weight for the first few months- it will probably come off without doing anything, especially if you are breastfeeding. Since you had a c-section, I would recommend that you get a lactation consultant to come to your house and help you. I had trouble with breastfeeding because of my c-section and this was a great help for me. Breastfeeding also helps you to stop bleeding quicker. Good luck with everything and congratulations!

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