Is it normal after C-Section?

Question

There are a few things I need to know if they are normal after c-section. I had a c-section for twins a month ago, with a spinal. Is it normal to have pain in your joints, especially my left side? Is it normal for it to hurt when you sneeze on the inside of the incision? Is it normal to be itchy all over your abdomen? Thanks!

Answer 1

I have nerve damage from my spinal so I didn't have joint pain, but I had tingling and general pain in the tissue on my left side.  The pain was from my lower back to just below my left buttock.  My doctor told me that nerve damage happens in about 1 in 7 cases of spinals or epidurals and everyone I know who has had one has some kind of damage or problems from them.

Your incision may continue to hurt and your belly may itch for months (my little one is almost seven months and I still have pain and itching (then it itches and when you scratch it then it hurts).  I asked several people I know who had c-sections and some of them still have problems years later (and I mean 9, 15 and 23 years later!).

It's a long (very long) healing process.  Keep in mind that they had to go through seven layers to get to the babies (including nerves) and all those layers have to heal and some of them take years to heal, if they ever do.

Answer 2

Yes, yes and maybe...

You have the pain in your joints because most likely, you've been doing things a tad bit differently because you're afraid of hurting yourself.  So you're walking differently, sitting differently, bending differently.. you're working different muscles.. hence, different pain.

Hurting at the incision sight is very common.. this can be for a long time.  Back in the day, they used to make you take 8 weeks off for maternity after a csection.. so I would say, that you may still experience some pain for another whole month... anything after that, you may want to talk it over with your Dr.

Now, the itchy abdomen... that depends.. I mean, I've heard of some people saying they were itchy but it was from the drugs they were taking for pain or something like that.  I know I had numb fingers for weeks after giving birth.  but itchy abdomen?  I dunno.

Answer 3

dont forget that not only did you have a c section, you carried twins! its been 5 month since i had my twins via c section and i am absolutely aching all over every day, especially in my pelvis, back, legs, knees, wrists, buttocks - left side is more painful. im seeing a physio and have exercises especially aimed at loosening and strengthening everything up.

im told its a longterm thing and to expect recovery to be slow - the twin pregnancy followed by a section followed by the daily physical work involved in looking after 2 babies, other kids and the housework is no easy task.

i think you need to look after these aches and pains as soon as possible and try to organise a physio.

physio after care is free where i am but i reckon ill be going private in the lonterm. just waiting for my money tree to grow, lol!!

my scar gets itchy a lot too, its the inner layers of muscles and nerves healing. also, the itch could be caused by the skin on ur tummy trying to repair itself after the mega stretching it went through. keep it moisturised.

Answer 4

I've had 3 csections.  My back  more spine hurt after my second on and with my 3rd I felt nerve pain.  

Answer 5

Abdomen itching is normal. It just means the incision is healing. Hurt when you sneeze is also normal. As for the joint pain I'm not to sure on. After a month that should have gone away. You should be going to doctor for postpartum visit soon so ask then. I don't think it's anything serious