C-Section Scar Pain

If you’re having problems with C-section scar pain, this article will help you.

As always, you should go and see a doctor if you’re in a lot of pain or if there is something leaking from the scar.

Unfortunately, sometimes the doctors can’t help. Sometimes, everything is perfectly fine, but your C-section scar still hurts.

If you’re someone who went through a major abdominal surgery like a C-section, you have probably experienced a lot of pain. So, you’re used to pain and discomfort. C-section is a complicated surgery that has to be done on some women in order to avoid life-threatening complications.

It helps to save lives, but it’s not something that should be taken for granted. Just because it’s a common surgery, doesn’t mean it’s not dangerous. There are many risks and many complications.

Of course, not all women experience these side effects of C-sections. Some of them are satisfied with everything that happened before, during, and after the C-section. So, it’s an individual thing.

There are women who didn’t go through a lot of pain after the procedure, but their C-section scar is painful. At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter what happened in the past. What matters is finding a solution to stop the C-section scar pain right as soon as possible.

What Is A C-Section?

C-section or cesarean section is a surgical procedure used to deliver a baby. Doctors make an incision on the woman’s abdomen and uterus in order to get the baby out.

There are some cases where women expect to have natural childbirth through vaginal delivery, but due to the complication, they have to undergo a C-section. On the other hand, some women are prepared for this procedure since the beginning of pregnancy.

Also, it’s common to do a C-section on women who already had it in the past. It’s also not recommended to get pregnant for 18-24 months after having a baby through a C-section.

A C-section means cutting through many layers of skin and the uterus, and it takes time for everything to heal. In this case, another pregnancy soon after having a baby can be risky.

Possible Complications

Just like every other surgery, a C-section also has certain complications. Of course, they don’t have to happen, but they’re possible. Some of those complications are related to the mother’s health and some of them are related to the baby’s health.

When it comes to mom’s health, possible complications of a C-section are:

• Infection
• Negative reaction to anesthesia
• Loss of blood
• Blood clots
• Injuries to internal organs

All of these complications are rare, but it’s good to know that they can happen without any special reason. Another risk for a mother is a possible complication with her future pregnancies.

C-section delivery is not natural, and cutting the uterus to take the baby out can have consequences in the future. That’s why doctors recommend natural childbirth when possible.

Possible complications of C-section for a baby are:

• Respiratory (breathing) problems
• Possible injuries, nicks, and cuts from an incision (these are extremely rare)

As you can see, a C-section is not as simple as many people think. It exists to save lives, but many women choose C-section over natural childbirth. That is understandable.

A C-section requires anesthesia, and it usually starts before having contractions, so there is minimal pain when delivering a child this way. Many women are scared of giving birth, so they choose this option.

Don’t get me wrong, I completely support this. It’s better to go through a C-section than to have trauma your whole life.

However, it’s good to think about this option. As I’ve mentioned before, there are some risks and recovery is much slower after the C-section. For example, having problems with C-section scar pain is common.

Besides, professionals will always choose natural childbirth over a C-section. So please, think about it. This is a surgery with many possible complications, and it’s better if you can avoid it.

Try to find the best solution for you and your baby. Think about an epidural or water birth. Just don’t rush with the decision to have a cesarean delivery without any medical indication.

When Is It Necessary To Have A C-Section?

Sometimes, a C-section has to be done. It’s not up to you and your preferred choice. If your or your baby’s life is in danger, the doctors have to do everything in their power to prevent any bad outcomes.

These are the reasons for a C-section:

• Baby is in distress and he or she has to get out as soon as possible
• Labor is not progressing normally
• You’re pregnant with more than one baby
• The baby is in a bad position for a natural delivery
• There is a problem with the umbilical cord or placenta
• You have a blockage in the birth canal
• You’ve had previous C-sections or uterine surgeries
• Other health problems (many other things will make you a candidate for a C-section, and you should always follow the doctor’s instructions)

Preparing For A C-Section And Aftercare

If your C-section is planned, the preparation might include taking some blood tests and having a talk with the anesthesiologist. Before going to the hospital it’s good to wash up thoroughly.

Also, if you’re sure that you’ll have a C – section, ask someone to be there to help you when you get out of the hospital. Think about meal prepping and other preparations that will make your life easier when you get home.

If your cesarean section is sudden, don’t worry. The nurses will prepare you, and everything will be fine.

After the cesarean delivery, you will stay in the hospital for 3 to 4 days. You will be in a lot of pain, but it’s suggested to use pain relievers. Having a cesarean delivery can cause pain like abdominal and pelvic pain, but you have to get up and walk a little.

It’s important to do this in order to avoid deep vein thrombosis. The doctor will probably prescribe some blood thinner for you.

When you get home, it’s important to take care of your wound and follow the doctor’s orders. Taking something to relieve the pain is a must. Rest whenever you can, and avoid lifting heavy things and doing difficult chores. Slow walks are recommended.

All of this is good to know to realize how complicated this surgery is. When you understand this, it will be easier to understand the C-section scar pain or a C-section scar tissue.

C – Section Scar Pain

Now that you know all about cesarean delivery, it’s time to talk about C-section scar pain. Sometimes, when scar tissue doesn’t heal properly, it’s possible to experience C-section scar pain, numbness, or tightness.

The healing process can be much easier if you use certain creams or ointments to speed it up. Scar tissue is common and it’s just one of the side effects of cesarean section.

Even if you’re not someone who’s prone to scars and keloids, you can still end up with C-section scar pain and overgrown scar tissue. Since the doctor has to cut many layers of skin, it’s not unusual to end up with unpleasant scar tissue.

How To Deal With C- Section Scar Pain And Numbness

It’s never too late to solve this problem. If certain creams, oils, and ointments were not helpful in preventing overgrown scar tissues, you can always try physical therapy.

Physical therapy involves massaging the scar, cupping, and using heat or cold laser therapy. Sometimes the pain and the numbness aren’t connected to your scar tissue.

They may be connected to your muscles. Abdominal muscles are often negatively affected by the C-section (diastasis recti). Because of that, they cause pain, discomfort, and numbness. After all, the doctors had to cut through the abdominal wall.

It’s possible to retrain the muscles with the right exercise. Exercises for the pelvic floor are also helpful. There are many online exercises for women who have problems with abdominal muscles after a C-section. Firm massage is also something you can do by yourself.

However, I suggest going to a professional. Someone familiar with these things will give you instructions on how to help yourself. A doctor or a physical therapist will guide you through this process.

After a while, if your physical therapy is successful, you won’t be experiencing C-section scar pain and numbness. Your scar tissue will look better and you will feel better.

Sometimes, you can experience a bad smell coming from your scar tissue. In this case, you have to see a doctor. It’s probably infected and you have to fix that.

In some cases, you will get antibiotics, but in most cases cleaning the area well with hydrogen peroxide will help. Also, keeping your C-section incision site clean and dry is a must.

There are plenty of waist trainers out there, so make sure to ask your doctor which one might be the best for holding that scar in place.

Conclusion

C-section scar pain and any other discomfort in this area should not be ignored. Many women think it’s normal to experience chronic pain even years later after the delivery. They think it’s normal to feel weakness in the pelvic floor or abdominal muscles.

Cesarean section recovery is difficult and you have to follow doctor’s orders. Many women are unsatisfied with their cesarean section scars, and all of that can be prevented. So, if there is anything that’s causing you pain, you should take care of it.

I know that it’s hard to think about yourself right now, but you have to. This is about your health, and you don’t want to have complications for the rest of your life. If the C-section scar hurts, you have to take care of it.

Your baby needs a happy mom. You have to be that mom and you have to take care of yourself. Don’t hesitate to visit a doctor. Make some time to clean your scar, hydrate it, and massage it. So many of these things can be done at home.

When the time is right, find some postpartum recovery exercises that will help you regain your strength. If you wait for too long, it will be harder to deal with these issues. Women’s health should be more appreciated.

When you feel good and healthy, and when your body went through full recovery, it will be easier to achieve great contact with your little one.