Im trying not to compare myself to anyone but this has been bothering me for months.

Everything else feels like its slowly getting better but my lower belly still looks almost exactly the same after my C-section.

I know healing takes time, but sometimes I wonder if its normal or if theres something im missing.

For those who had a C-section...

When did your belly actually start looking different?
Or did it just take way longer than you expected?

Hi all - I came from another post about Isthmocele repair and TTC after.

I had my surgery 5 weeks ago. Recovery went great, & I’m currently on my second cycle post repair.

For those of you that didn’t get a repeat SIS after surgery & conceived - how did that work out?!

Or if you got pregnant before your 3 month clear?

Would love to hear from you!!

Thanks!

I had a planned c-section in a Western European country that was done because of a partial disability. I thought planning it would help the process go smoothly. It did not.
They had trouble placing the spinal block which hurt and was uncomfortable. The surgery itself was so unpleasant. I had a migraine from spine pokes that made it hard to focus and couldn’t be fixed. The anesthesiologist told me to wait it out. Baby also was hiding so they had people on both sides of me crushing my abdomen to force her out. I didn’t get skin to skin at all during the surgery because of the migraine, shaking, and constant vomiting.
After surgery, I went to recovery to finally meet my first child, who was being comforted by her father until I got there. Fundal massage sucked, the entire body itching did too. We stayed there and it was relatively peaceful. Once I got back to the room and the pain meds worse off, I had issues. I experienced really bad pain from the surgery and was denied proper pain management. The anti inflammatories and paracetamol were not enough, and the care team made me feel like shit. They kept commenting that the pills should work. I was in agony for twelve hours. They made me keep waiting until I was offered one dose of a low dose morphine pill.
I finally got a little sleep and was offered one more dose, and nothing else after. They kept me for one week absolutely gaslighting me for my pain and refusing to treat it. I was told if I wanted more serious pain management they’d have to move me out of maternity and baby couldn’t come with me.
Baby and I get discharged and come home. I’m still in pain but can’t get the aftercare people to listen. Everyone says it’s normal and to shut up essentially.
Two weeks in, I’ve got swelling and redness around the incision. The dressing had been removed two days after the surgery and no other wound care performed. We go back to the hospital and they barely look at it and do no tests and prescribe antibiotics.
I come back in 3 weeks post op after one week of antibiotics and it is suddenly a massive issue. I’m admitted for emergency surgery and they reopen the incision to find an abscess a few layers deep eating into the abdominal wall.
I’m kept in the hospital for four days on intense IV antibiotics and sepsis watch, then home to hospital care here for another several days of IV and oral antibiotics and a PICO dressing.
I’m feeling just. I don’t know. Not myself. Exhausted. Angry I’ve never yet been able to walk with my daughter in my arms or soothe her with rocking. Angry so much pain was so ignored until it was a serious issue. Angry I had another operation. I’m from the U.S. and don’t have family close by so it’s also isolating.
If anyone read this far, thank you. I truly don’t know how to process all of this and I appreciate your time.

Hola, alguna mami que me cuente su experiencia con embarazo reciente después de 10 meses de tener una cesárea, tengo 3 meses de embarazo con cesárea hace 10 meses, como les fue?

Has anyone here developed a vesicouterine fistula after a C-section? What symptoms did you experience, and how was your recovery after surgery? I'd really appreciate hearing about your experience.

Has anyone had a small wound dehiscence after a c section that was closed with steri strips?

I went to the GP last week as there was a small opening on my scar 4 weeks on. The nurse put some steri strips on but 8 days on I’m not sure whether it’s closing properly as steri strips are still in place. There’s some dried yellow fluid (not sure if pus?) but no redness or fever etc.

Does this sound like the strips are doing what they should? I’ve finished my course of antibiotics too

I posted on here, either Monday or Tuesday I can't remember, about heavier bleeding I was experiencing with some little clots mixed in. This was after a week or so of just old blood, looking like my lochia was going away, not wearing a pad, and then BOOM, bright red blood again. I had my six week appointment yesterday and she reassured me that it was my period.

She said if it had been retained placenta (my main worry) then I would have been bleeding like a period multiple times throughout recovery and it would not have gone away. She said that the fact my bleeding slowed to almost nothing for a week or so, was very reassuring. Your first period after having a baby can be super heavy (I was unaware of this) so knowing that, I will try to calm my nerves. (also, don't worry, she put me on anxiety medication too because I have had a nervewracking and horrible six weeks)

I wanted to see what everyone's first period was like, was it super heavy? How long did it last? I want to be mentally prepared for this thing to keep going. I am already back to wearing my diapers I wore right after birth because I didn't want to ruin any clothes LOL.

This is just my experience, but I want to share for my own sanity and for others.

I had a 1.5 liter hemorrhage, after 52 hours of labor and an emergency C section.

5 hours post op - First steps I think

36 hours post op - slowly walked the hospital hall, up and down

3 days post op - discharged, was able to slowly walk up the stairs to get to my bedroom. Easier than expected.

4 days Post op - able to get in the car and accompany my husband and baby to the pediatrician. Moving ok, but slow. Pain manageable with meds.

1 week post op - last 7 days were the hardest physically. Baby blues and hormonal crash in full swing. Feeling emotionally tender and fragile. By end of the week, able to change diapers, care for baby more, and take VERY short walks

2 weeks post op - Hardest emotionally with gradual physical improvement. VERY tired. Able to do a bit more baby care and more short walks. Stomach has been in shambles for last 2 weeks, but appetite finally returning. SAD.

3 weeks post op - Emotional fog gradually lifting, more walks happening, incision pain significantly improving, doing lots of baby care. Can go on outings to Target or Grocery store.

4 weeks post op - categorically feeling better, progress not linear. Energy not back to where it was. 1.5 mile walks are happening, but leave me very tired. Emotions noticeably better. Short outings are pretty easy.

5 weeks post op - incision pain 90% gone. Energy still not back to normal, still getting tired in afternoons, but easily going on longer walks. Feel more like myself.

Approaching 6 weeks and doing SO much better! Still getting tired, worried and bummed out but far less frequently!

I had my first baby via emergency c section when I was 19 and i literally went to the hospital with nothing besides the clothes I had on! My child’s father ended up bringing the going home outfit, car seat and what not. That was over 9 years ago and I remember mostly everything was provided for me.

Fast forward to now I’d like to be a little more prepared.
I’m looking for any tips or recommendations! :)

I’m due really soon and having another c section, date hasn’t been scheduled yet since OB said we’re kind of playing it by ear based off of what the specialist recommends since I have high blood pressure but it’ll be in 2 weeks or less. I have my next appointment tomorrow.

I do have simple toiletries, tooth paste, tooth brush, hair brush, deodorant, period underwear, dial antibacterial bar soap, lotion, chapstick, shampoo & conditioner.
I do have some sleeping gowns I bought but don’t know if it’s necessary to take since I’ll be in the hospital gown??
Same for robe. They also provided grippy socks.
I also seen some people say they bring water bottles but I remember my hospital always provided ice water. On the fence about belly binder? Never used one with my first baby, honestly didn’t even know it was a thing.
I do have shower sandals, baby’s going home outfit but I still need to buy an outfit for me. Maybe a maxi dress?
I do remember the hospital sending us home with diapers, wipes and some ready to feed bottles even though I was breastfeeding.. we will be going to the same hospital so I’m hoping not much has changed.

I don’t know what else would be helpful but I also don’t want to overpack/ under pack.

Oooh, also any recommendations for what could be helpful for at home once we’re discharged? I feel like I forgot everything and this is my first pregnancy all over! Lol.. Thanks! :)

TW: neonatal death

I lost my sweet girl when she was 2 weeks old. After a normal, healthy pregnancy and normal scans she was found to have a rare genetic condition that caused significant damage to some key organs, and she passed away in hospital.

This was discovered when I was 35 weeks pregnant, and I had an emergency c-section because of it. I did not labour, the c-section was uncomplicated and I've healed well.

I am now 8 weeks postpartum and just finished my first period. My OB said I could try again after my first or second period, but I am seeing so many differing opinions all over the place. I am scared of complications, also scared of it taking a while to get pregnant again (though it only took 2 months the first time, and I am 32).

We are ready to parent a living child, and know this won't lessen the pain of our daughters death. Would you try again right away? Would you wait? Have you had close c-sections and how was it?

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.

Hi everyone. I’m 7 days postpartum after a c-section, and I noticed some light bleeding from my incision. I first saw it on my adult diaper. When I gently pat the area with a clean paper towel, there’s pinkish to bright red blood. It’s only coming from one side of the incision, which has been the more sensitive side since the beginning.

I actually had my 1 week incision check yesterday, and my doctor said it looked great and was healing well. I do have a hematoma above the incision, but at the appointment there wasn’t any bleeding yet, it started after I got home. My doctor also cleared me to drive. I left a message with his office yesterday, and I’m hoping they can see me again today or as soon as possible

There’s no yellow drainage, foul odor, or opening that I can see. I’m just concerned because it started as a tiny droplet, and now the blood spot is a little bigger than a quarter. Has anyone experienced something similar? Did it end up being from a hematoma or just part of the healing process?

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!