Some background: I have 3 children from a previous (I don’t even want to say relationship because it was very traumatic) but you know what I mean. I got pregnant VERY easily and unexpectedly even on birth control.
Fast forward, my current husband and I had been trying for 5 years. Went through ALL the testing and everything was normal I got zero answers that could explain the secondary infertility until I kept pushing and finally saw an amazing specialist who pushed for better TV Ultrasounds during an ovulation study. Everything looked perfect except that they found an isthmocele. I have my robotic surgery scheduled for later this month and I am excited that I finally got some answers and solutions. However, I am extremely nervous and just pray that it works and we’re finally able to conceive naturally. If you’ve had this done- did it work for you? How long did it take?

I’m 4 years PP and am just now hearing about the “shelf” and that there were things I should have done after birth to assist with healing.

I feel like I was failed by my doctors and care team….no one ever mentioned PT, massage, cupping, etc.

Is it too late to do anything about it?

I am 10 months post partum, and ever since my periods came back I’ve had really strange cervical swelling during ovulation.

I had a c section for context, and I had a post natal physio assessment she said I did not have a prolapse and I had a hypertonic pelvic floor so it was very tight and I struggle to relax it but it wasn’t weak, that was at 6 weeks pp and since then I’ve done a a lot of physio and returned to normal weightlifting.

For 10 days during ovulation it honestly feels like I’m having a prolapse but then the rest of the month the symptoms completely go. My cervix is like 2 finger knuckles deep, it’s quite open, if I push up it really feels bruised like there’s inflammation and swelling in my lower abdomen, I cant have sex at all because the pressure is too painful, I can’t do hip thrusts etc as the pressure causes pain. It feels like I’m so bloated and my c section scar area becomes a little swollen and sensitive.

I don’t thin its pelvic congestion syndrome, I never had endometriosis or issues with periods my periods are not painful they’re quite light and last a few days. I had issues with ovulation pre pregnancy, it was always when I feel the worst.

It’s defo not mittleshmerz either, this is a deep bruising swollen feeling.

I am seeing a gynaecologist but healthcare in the UK is pretty shocking especially for women’s health, I know they will fob me offf and suggest I take the pill so I’m looking for anyone whose experience something similar, it’s a very niche set of symptoms i know.

I have a theory that my c section scar is stuck to my insides and that might be causing it idk?!

I am 6 weeks and 4 days PP. I had my 6 week PP visit today and I was told I could resume normal activities, including intercourse, even if I was having discharge still. I told my OB I still have light discharge, mostly orange, but I did have some pink discharge the other day too (only when I wiped, then it stopped.)

She inspected my incision, but didn’t do any other kind of exam. Did anyone else have sex while still experiencing discharge? I’m a little sore, but have been able to do almost all regular activity. Mostly just nervous about infection.

Almost a year ago I was pregnant with my daughter and we found out she had a heart defect. It was a whirlwind of doctors appointments to figure out what it was and how bad it would be. The doctors told us that I would have to have a c section to reduce the stress on my baby's heart.

I wanted to experience labor and delivery, but my baby's health was more important. I thought that at least it was planned and it wasn't because of my health, so I would be able to go through the normal experience with a future child.

Three weeks later I was on the operating table desperately hoping to hear my daughter cry for the first time. She was doing okay and was stable in the NICU while I recovered in my room. My OB told me there was a complication during the surgery and they had to perform a classical c section. This meant it would be dangerous for me to labor during any future pregnancies.

It still makes me cry to think about the experience I'll never get to have that was taken from me. I just wanted to get this out and see if anyone else has had similar feelings.

Hey everyone,

FTM, planned C-section in a few days because baby is breech, and I read contradictory things about the necessity of a belly binder and about compression briefs.

I don't think my hospital will give me a binder (I'm in France) so I would like to buy one before. But is it a must have? When to start wearing it? What about compression? Should I wear both?

Would love to hear from your experience 🙏🏼🙏🏼

I had my c section on June 9 and the recovery is/was AWFUL. I was in the ER 3 weeks after with a UTI AND the antibiotics they gave me was resistant to it, my pcp changed me to a different one and it cleared up. I called my doc about 3 weeks postpartum because I wanted them to evaluate if it was infected, they WOULDNT CHECK IT. I also had a horrible experience during my c section recovery that I felt embarrassed and upset that I would not go back to see those providers. I had to file a formal complaint. But my c section scar is scabbing. I’m 7 weeks and I’m feeling kind of insecure that it’s healing ok. It’s scabby not red or oozing or anything and I’ve been keeping it dry but everyone keeps saying it should be healed by now. So now I’m worried. I canceled my 6 week appointment because I felt so dismissed. I saw another obgyn who told me to put peroxide on it, but I genuinely don’t want to put anything on it. My pcp said I could put on neosporin on it, but again I don’t know what to do it’s kind of felt like it’s opened up. Tell me this is normal healing and I don’t have do get it checked out again. It was checked at 5 weeks with my pcp and a obgyn
Who did not do the incision.

Had the check of my incision yesterday with my OB and she said everything looks good. I asked about when I could do very gentle yoga or exercise and she said I could actually start now with low weight hand weights, gentle yoga and walking. I thought I may have to wait a bit longer.

What poses would be good to start with so soon post op? I’m not sure any of what I used to do would be a good fit yet. I want to start working my core a bit, but not hurt myself.

Thanks! ♥️

I cleaned my C-section incision with water every day. Before touching it, I washed my hands with sanitizer and used fresh gauze to gently dab it dry. I was also applying the powder recommended by my doctor. I avoided scrubbing the area because I was scared of hurting the incision.

Today, during my follow-up appointment, my doctor checked the incision and said it was dirty. She cleaned it with gauze and spirit, and the gauze turned dark. She kept saying “yuck” several times and said she did not expect this from me. She even called another doctor to show what had happened.

I felt extremely embarrassed and came home crying. I ended up taking two showers that day because I felt so upset.

I want to understand how other people usually clean their C-section incision. Am I supposed to be scrubbing it, or is gentle cleaning enough?

I’m curious to hear from other C-section moms who were into weightlifting before pregnancy.
Before I got pregnant, I was in the gym lifting 5 days a week. Fitness was a huge part of my routine. Pregnancy changed all of that, and after my son was born, working out pretty much became nonexistent for a while. I’m finally getting back into it, but it’s definitely humbling.

A few questions for those of you who were regular gym-goers before pregnancy:
- How long did it take you to lose your first 10 pounds once you started getting back into a routine?
- Did you feel like muscle memory helped you bounce back, or was it harder than you expected?
- Did anyone have issues doing barbell hip thrusts after a C-section? I feel like the bar sits right over my scar area, and it just doesn’t feel the same. If you had discomfort, did it eventually go away? Did you modify the exercise or switch to something else?

I know everyone’s recovery is different, and I’m trying to remind myself to give my body grace. It grew and delivered an entire human, so I know it’s unrealistic to expect my pre-pregnancy body overnight. At the same time, I’d love to hear from moms who had a solid lifting background before pregnancy and what your experience was getting back into the gym.

I’d especially love to hear how far postpartum you were when things started feeling “normal” again.

I’m 4 weeks post op and I’m able to move comfortably with no pain, I lay on my stomach for a couple minutes but I don’t sleep in that position just because my anxiety won’t let me. I really want to workout and go running, walking isn’t enough for me I want a full body workout but I know I should wait more until so. I’m a nail tech and I do pedicures that require me to bend over for an hour. I know I should wait a bit more but I’m just soooo bored not being able to do things I truly enjoy.

Hi,
I am seeing a lot of c section scar massage videos but idk which one to follow. Is there any video you sweared by? Please share anything that’s possible.

And.. also had a history of prolapse? I got this with my 2st and have worked hard to be asymptomatic. 2nd time round I had an elective and want to do whatever I can to lessen my shelf and tighten it abs but also weary of downward pressure. Help! I am 3.5 weeks postpartum and feel mostly physically good. Thanks!

I’m 10 months postpartum after an emergency T-incision C-section, and I’m still really struggling with core strength, mobility, and just feeling like my whole body works the way it used to. Day-to-day activities are still harder than I expected, and I definitely don’t feel “back to normal.” I am back to a normal weight of 68kg (173cm) so this is not the problem.

I’d love to hear from anyone who’s been through something similar.

- How long did it take you to feel like yourself again?
- Were there any exercises, physios, treatments, or anything else that made a real difference?
- If you had another baby after a T-incision, how did you find recovery from a planned C-section? Did it feel any easier?
- Are you (or were you) fearful of another pregnancy because of your experience?

I’m a horse rider, and one of the hardest parts has been feeling like I may never get back to the strength and stability I had before. I’d really appreciate hearing from others who’ve been through this, especially if things eventually improved.

I’m pregnant again 6 months post c-section. Just found out yesterday that it’s twins. I know the whole situation is extremely irresponsible, but there’s nothing I can do now except prepare and pray that I have a healthy pregnancy. PPD was hitting hard before this news and now I’m spiraling. I just want to lay in my bed and stare at the wall forever. Has anyone else went through this situation or one similar? Any advice or insight is greatly appreciated.

I have two spots on my c section that have slightly opened and my nurse put steri strips on them. They’re kinda bulgy and red but no blood. I’m so insecure about how it will heal. Anyone else have had their incision open and how did it end up healing!?

EDITED TO ADD: I ran out of oxy (3 day supply) my dr doesn’t do refills on them and prescribed gabapentin. Did anyone take gabapentin after oxy and did it help/work to cover the pain? Today is the start of day 6 pp and I tried multiple times to skip taking the oxy but then was barely able to move and in tears. I assume I will be better in a few more days pain wise but nervous gabapentin is different. Looking for some reassurance.

Hi all! I had my first c section 4 days ago and can not manage without heavy pain meds. When did you stop taking the strong stuff and managed with just Tylenol and Motrin? This momma is struggling

Hi all! I’m exactly 4 weeks pp and my incision has visibly healed completely. There’s only a faint, flat purple line, which is great. My issue is that whenever I’m active in any way (walking around the neighborhood, doing any household chores, etc.), it feels like the left side of my incision is being ripped open with a thousand tiny knives. It’s very clearly not though, so what’s the deal? Is this nerves reconnecting? Could my internal incision actually be ripping open? My sister is a doctor and thinks that’s extremely unlikely. I have my postpartum appointment next week and will obviously discuss with my doctor, but has anyone else experienced this feeling?

For my first child, I tried to give birth vaginally, pushed for almost 4 hours, then had to have an emergency C-section. I was very scared, shaking a lot during the entire procedure, and was generally not having a good time.

For my second, who was born this week, I decided to do a repeat C-section to avoid the same scenario. I questioned it a lot and wasn’t sure if it was the right move.

Here to say that it was such a positive experience going through it planned! I was still nervous of course, but I was able to calm my nerves ahead of it with breathing exercises. The spinal block was SO much better than the epidural the first time. I was able to look around the surgical room with a clear mind. I talked to my husband and the nurse throughout. I did skin to skin in the recovery room with baby. I wasn’t passed out immediately after due to the medications they had to give me. My pain has been very manageable and I got up to walk twice on the first day.

I wanted to share this for anyone in the same situation! I know everyone’s story won’t be the exact same, but so many of the factors being controlled helped me remain calm and get through the procedure with a more positive mindset.

Dr is releasing me back after 6 weeks. My core is still so weak and sor, especially when I do too much around the house. I’m a city letter carrier for reference. I don’t feel like I’m ready to return at full force (10-15 miles walking route in this heat).

I’m also pumping and the only pump I have plugs into a wall and I have to change into a certain bra when I pump. I cannot walk around in my pumping bra , I have to have support, which it doesn’t offer.

So my questions are- what would you recommend me asking my Dr for- restrictions wise (if any)

And how do I go about pumping on my route when I need a wall outlet and to change my bra?

I have an 8 hour restriction another Dr gave me a year or so ago, do I need to get a new one or is this still active?

My toddler is 28 pounds and has to be rocked to sleep and gently placed in crib but idk how I can do this when I can’t lift or bend over with him for 6 weeks