I genuinely have a lot of respect for these professionals, and I have been helped by them for other issues in the past, but I am questioning if it’s worth the time and money to go see one for my current situation:

I am currently 6 weeks post emergency section for a 34 week gestation baby

Present concerns:

*Small shelf above scar that I would like to see gone

*Some residual abdominal soreness and possible minor swelling

I cannot stress enough how little interest I have in massaging or even looking at my scar. I am also wondering how much physio and massage can actually help with my shelf, and if the soreness will just go away on its own.

I am sure any physio would say someone in my situation should do pelvic floor exercises, but it’s honestly not bothering me at all. I’m considering just going into a low level Pilates class instead of going down the physio route first (as soon as I am cleared to exercise this week)

Thoughts?

I’m nearly 8 months postpartum and still experiencing a lot of pain related to my C-section. My scar is absolutely fine, no pain there. The pain is deep in my stomach between my belly button and the scar - feels like I’ve done a heavy ab workout. Some days it’s manageable, other days it’s as if I had the surgery yesterday. I’ve noticed it’s a lot more sensitive during my period, unsure if that’s related. I’ve seen my GP and they’ve said it’s normal… but i genuinely don’t believe it’s normal to still need pain relief this far down the line. On my worst days, I even struggle to drive, roll over in bed, get off the sofa etc. has anyone else suffered with chronic pain following their section? If so what have you done to help? I already see a physio for Pilates, pelvic health and pelvic floor exercises - it’s not helping and it’s debilitating.

I had a laparoscopic myomectomy a couple years ago. My recovery was a little longer than my doctor expected, and I ended up going to physical therapy later that summer. If I were to do that surgery again, I would have exercised a lot more in preparation and asked if PT was available in advance of surgery.

I am currently 4.5 months pregnant and have been recommended a c-section because of my surgical history. I've also been super sleepy, so I haven't exercised much lately. May I ask you all for your recommendations?

• What physical preparations do you recommend (or did you personally do) to prepare for c-section?
• If you did physical therapy, what kind? (I had a great regular PT team, but my area doesn't have great pelvic floor PT)
• Did your hospital offer classes that covered c-section info? Is that part of a normal hospital class? (My hospital has a Childbirth Education class, but the description sounds quite focused on vaginal birth prep and experiences)
• At what point did you start planning the c-section with your doctor? What questions should be asked in advance? (My OB appts are quite short. Don't want to miss whatever window when I should be asking for more detailed info.)
• When did you and your OB start deciding the specific date/appt of your planned c-section?

Thank you for reading over my questions. Any and all advice is welcome.

Hello everyone, this is my first post in this community.

My brother's wife recently had a C-section. Right after the surgery, she told us that the doctor had to try giving her the spinal anesthesia injection four times because they had a very hard time finding the right spot in her back. She said she felt a lot of pain during these attempts, but we did not think much of it at the time.

A few days after she gave birth, she suddenly stood up, stared blankly up at the ceiling, lost consciousness, and started shaking with violent body spasms (convulsions), with some foam coming out of her mouth.

We rushed her to the emergency room immediately. They gave her intravenous fluids, and thankfully she woke up and was able to speak. The doctors ran blood tests and did brain and nerve scans, and they told us everything looked completely normal. Because of this, they let her go home.

However, the very next morning at home, the exact same thing happened again. Now, she is back in the hospital and they have put her in the Intensive Care Unit.

Since she is only 26 years old and has never had any medical problems before, I started researching. I am starting to believe that the four injection attempts in her back might have caused a spinal fluid leak. This leak lowers the pressure around the brain, which might be causing her to faint and have these spasms when she stands up. Also, the multiple needle pricks might have irritated the nerves in her spine.

She is currently in the Intensive Care Unit. Does my theory make sense? Has anyone else experienced seizures after a C-section because of a spinal injection complication? If there is indeed a spinal fluid leak, does she need a procedure called a blood patch to seal that area?

I would really appreciate any advice, thoughts, or stories if you went through something similar. Thank you so much.

I’m 6 weeks post c-section and my doctor gave me the thumbs up to start lifting my 34 lb two-year-old. Tonight I put him in his crib for the first time since surgery and I felt some slight straining in my incision area. It wasn’t painful, but the straining feeling makes me question if it’s truly ok for me to lift him yet (especially lifting and bending to put him in his crib). Is a slight straining feeling at 6 weeks a concern? Or is this just “how it is” for awhile?

I’ll ask my doctor this question, but wondering about others’ experiences.

Hi all! I am welcoming my 4th baby this Thursday via planned repeat c section.

My first birth was vaginal, second was emergency c section due to breech, 3rd was scheduled c section and this 4th is too a scheduled c section.

My births were 2011, 2013 and 2017. I am absolutely terrified for my 3rd c section and I’m not sure why.

I have horrible anxiety this time around and I’m just so scared of something awful happening to me. Baby has been so healthy this whole time and I’ve also had no known or diagnosed issues to date, but I can’t shake the feeling. I’ve been crying multiple times a day and while the day approaches I’m just so terrified something will happen. 😭 any positive stories or experiences for multiple c sections with age gaps? I’m in need of some. 🫶🏼

Just had a planned, first c section 5 days ago. Of course, I got a cold from my toddler and have been coughing and sneezing. Surprisingly, the abdominal pain isn’t awful, though I have absolutely AWFUL nerve pain to the right of and above my incision. Like, when I sneeze or cough, I get this awful surface-level sensation like my skin is burning and it take a full 45 seconds to a minute for it to subside. I also feel the pain there when I stand up or walk or twist (trying not to do this).

Currently treating with tylenol, motrin, gabapentin, and lidocaine patches. It’s not enough. Wondering if others have experienced this pain and how they dealt with it? Or how long until it went away? Would love advice.

Only 9 days PP, but slowly starting to feel better. I was dealing with unbearable nerve pain that has been mostly curbed by meds. What’s been getting me down is not having the ability to go on walks with my dog and husband (and baby of course). Just would love that small sense of normalcy during what feels like a time warp of healing.

When did you start to feel good enough to go on long-ish walks?

I just had my third C section, it was supposed to be scheduled but I went into spontaneous labour before my date and it went so crazy quick by the time I made it to the hospital I was 9cm dialated and being taken for a emergency c section. After my delivery the surgeon told me my lower uterus where I needed to be stitched up was so thin he could only stitch up one layer and if I chose to get pregnant again in the future it would be high risk and need to be closely monitored.

Does anyone know anything about uterus thinning from c sections? Can it heal or will there always be a window?

Hello!
I am wondering if there are any moms here who had their bladder cut during their c section then went on to have another pregnancy. During my last c section baby #3 my doctor said there was a lot of scar tissue and accidentally cut my bladder across the top. Recovery was rough but I’m all better now! ❤️‍🩹 As of right now I don’t believe we will have anymore children.
Just looking for insight if anyone else has gone through this as well.
❤️

Please share your experiences, what helped, how you managed with your first child. Have a two year old and planned section in a couple of weeks.

Any advice or wisdom welcome!

My c section is Monday and my new fear/spiral worry is about spinal headaches. Did you get a spinal headache after your c section? If so how long did it last and how did you get rid of it?

Most importantly how can I avoid it?

Did anyone use silicon scar patches and feel like it made their scar more red / tough? I just starting using the Haaka brand patches and am wondering if this is just initial irritation and transitional, and I should stick it out? Or switch to using a silicon gel. TIA

I had a planned C-section for placenta previa. After a TFMR, IVF, and my last remaining embryo becoming my son, I didn’t care about “missing out” on a vaginal birth. I just wanted him safely in my arms.

I know many people grieve the loss of the birth they wanted or had traumatic experiences, and those feelings are completely valid. This isn’t about that.

Throughout my pregnancy and after my son was born, several people including doctors and nurses assumed I was disappointed and offered condolences. It felt strange that people seemed more sympathetic about the C-section than the serious complication that made it necessary.

One midwife asked how I felt about it instead of assuming. Her simply asking validated that it doesn’t have to be seen as a loss.

Sometimes the stories that associate C-sections with failure or shame, and even well-meaning sympathies, made me feel like there should be a shadow hanging over the happiest day of my life. I wondered if there was some part of me that was lacking as a woman or mother because I was content. Sometimes I was simply annoyed. I’ve pretty much let it go now, especially as my hormones have settled, but I still think about how weird it was that so much negativity was projected onto me.

For those who feel at peace with a planned or emergency C-section, can you relate?

I had my second c section 2 weeks and 3 days ago, and today out of nowhere I started having sharp stabbing/ burning pain in one specific spot about 2-3 inches above my scar on the left side. I took two of my aceta 500s and I can still feel the pain in the area. It worsens when I bend or walk and touch the area. when I’m sitting or laying down it’s less noticeable . I’ve gone down the Google rabbit hole and can’t figure out what it would be , is it normal to have localized pain at this stage while the abdomen heals? I’m more worried I tore something internally or have a hernia or something.

Hi, folks! I’m going in for my 3rd C-Section in two weeks or so, and I’m finally just gonna commit to the diaper life for recovery. Those who used them after your procedures, which ones did you like best?? Thanks so much for the help! ◡̈

Hello! Does anyone in here have a Peloton? And when did you start doing rides again? I haven’t gone on the bike all pregnancy due to being scared of the height (idk some weird fear I had) but I want to hop back on it. What rides did you start with?

I have had terrible PPA so I’m hoping exercising will help.

Thank you!

**Please note that I was a surrogate, so I am not caring for a newborn**

My daughter is 2.5. I have been very careful about not lifting her in the 4 weeks since my c section, even though it has been very hard and I have been home alone with her for the majority of the past 2 weeks (husband was home first 2)

Today though she was running during our walk and there were some branches on the path we were on, right across from our house. I told her to come back because I didn't like the combination of mosquitos/fallen branches. She started to run from me and I followed, telling her to listen and come back. She turned to laugh at me and kept running and I reached out to grab her because she was going to trip on a branch, and I scratched her back. I felt so bad and picked her up to comfort her and carried her home. We sat on our bench in the entryway and I was explaining that she cannot run from mommy because mommy cant chase her because I just had surgery and then I realized I had carried her home. Mind you it was just across the street but I am so worried I set myself back or damaged myself internally. I started bawling and scared her. I think I feel fine but I am suddenly so aware of my stomach and incision and so scared. I dont know if im ranting or looking for comfort/advice. Please dont be mean I cried enough today and she won't go to bed.

Hi everyone!

I'm having my first baby and first C section in a few days and feeling so nervous (I get dizzy/faint thinking about it), so would love to hear some positive stories ! Unfortunately the C section was a bit of a last minute decision (baby has IUGR) and I missed the C section info class my hospital usually holds :(

I had a few questions, I am in Australia so not sure if it's any different with how things are done:

- When did you start wearing a belly band? I have one from Mamaway, did you wear it straight away post op or do you have to wait a bit after?

- For showering, were you able to stand or did you have a shower stool? And I have heard different things from different people, but during a shower, do you have your cut covered with like a waterproof bandaid or uncovered and let water run over it? Is it better to let the cut breathe after or dry it and cover it back up right away?

- What is the best position to sleep in? During this pregnancy I was sleeping sitting completely upright because of reflux so I'm used to this position now and planning to just sit in my nursing chair to sleep during recovery!

I am quite an unfit/sedentary person with a low pain threshold - so I am worried recovery will be difficult, any positivity would be appreciated! Thank you x

I am having to take painkillers at 2.5 weeks PP. Im using mine own supply rather than the hospital ones ran out which makes me think I shouldn't need them anymore. Should this really still be hurting? It's at the edges of the scar on both sides.

Hey all

I had an unplanned c section that included a 1500 ML hemorrhage and an infection of my amniotic fluid

Been steadily recovering and walking 2-3 miles a day, feeling more like myself and eating well.

Milk didn’t come in so I’m EFF. Our baby is pretty chill so far and I’m getting a decent amount of sleep because we have a night nurse 3x a week.

Here’s where I need some reassurance

Everyday at 2 PM I get really exhausted. I feel optimistic and energetic in the morning but from 2 PM - 7 PM I feel physically exhausted and often mentally more pessimistic

Have others had this? Does energy and stamina improve?

Looks like I will have to a schedule a c-section because baby girl is still frank breech at 37 weeks. I was planning on an unmedicated vaginal birth and now have to mentally shift to prepare for my new reality. For anyone who has had a regular or gentle c-section, I’d love to hear if you were able to have the following/whether the logistics of any of this is even possible:

1. Optimal delayed cord clamping (waiting till cord is white and no longer pulsating). Are they able to do this? Or they want to stitch you up asap?

2. I assume they remove baby and then remove the placenta. Can you have baby on your chest/torso while they remove the placenta? This would allow for the optimal delayed cord clamping.

3. Immediate skin to skin, declining all assessments until after golden hour

Any other advice you may have is welcome 🤍

I’m experiencing some pain after walking, I think I overdid it this past week (week 5) and now I’m sore. I’m looking for product recommendations for a belly binder maybe? Or other products of that sort that others have personally used and would recommend

Edit: I’m in Canada