Burning sensation stomach after c section: did anyone have burning pain on abdominal skin after c section?

Опубликовано: August 1, 2023 в 4:52 pm

Автор: alexxlab

Категории: Miscellaneous

did anyone have burning pain on abdominal skin after c section?

Please
or
to access all these features

Flip

Join our community to gain childbirth support from other Mumsnetters or to share your own childbirth experience. You can also get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletter.

Childbirth

29 replies

strangerjo ·

24/03/2016 12:26

I’ve already posted my c section pains woes but have got no further with answers from health visitor, gp and hospital. I’m 3.5 weeks post c section and have superficial pain on my skin above the incision and on my abdomen. It feels like burning pain when clothes touch my skin. Painkillers aren’t helping. Has anyone had this? If so what was the cause and how long did it take to go? Only positive stories please- I’m feeling miserable as it is! Cheers

OP posts:

Report

glueandstick ·

25/03/2016 00:56

Yes. Apparently it is the nerves that weren’t quite severed being little shits and firing off all over the place.

It’s bloody agony isn’t it?

I’m at the same stage as you but it alternates from pain to just numb. I’m sorry I can’t be more positive for you. I’ve had so many things happen afterwards that the pain/numbness is the least of my problems sadly. All in all an awful experience.

Report

HarlotBronte ·

25/03/2016 09:51

I did, particularly in an area not on the incision but some way above it on the right side. It was sporadic and not related to whether anything was touching the skin or not. Went away after a few weeks. Months later, I found out it was where my intestines are, and they move them out of the way for a section. So presumably the after effects of that. 24 days is still very soon afterwards for major abdominal surgery. I’d expect to see significant improvement within the next few weeks as things settle down. Nerves can be very funny little buggers.

Report

strangerjo ·

25/03/2016 12:21

Thank you. I don’t think it’s intestine related but something to do with the cut nerves?
Any idea if and whether it will go?

OP posts:

Report

HarlotBronte ·

25/03/2016 13:04

The nerve pain I had aside from the intestine stuff was gone after a few weeks. Baby is not long past one now and I certainly don’t feel anything now and haven’t for some time. Still some numbness but not pain, I think most people find the numbness lasts much longer. But we’re all different. If you don’t see any improvement I’d mention it at your six week check.

Report

thumb3lina ·

25/03/2016 14:36

I have this, I mentioned it at my 6 week check and its to do with nerves being cut. I’m 14 weeks post c-section now and its not any better, sorry It might be better for other people though, hopefully it won’t last too long.

I wear knickers which go above the scar and wear dresses (with tights pulled up to my bra ) or leggings or jogging bottoms at home as everything else rubs it. When its really bad I put a sanitary towel over the scar to protect it from rubbing.

Report

strangerjo ·

25/03/2016 15:15

Oh man, I was hoping for positive stories.

OP posts:

Report

strangerjo ·

25/03/2016 15:16

If it’s to do with cut nerves, why don’t all c section mums experience this pain?

OP posts:

Report

Laquila ·

25/03/2016 15:20

Presumably because people heal at different speeds and experience pain in different ways. I had alternating burning pain and numbness for a good couple of months with my first EMCS, but have found recovery much quicker second time round (planned section.)

Report

HarlotBronte ·

25/03/2016 15:49

I thought mine was quite positive! The numbness is no problem at all, it’s really not. I experience no issues at all from still being a bit numb 13 months post section. And people are so different, and not all sections are the same. Nerves aren’t uniform amongst human beings, neither are pain tolerances. It’s such early days yet. But it’s hard, it really is, to recover from any kind of difficult birth or complication when you have a baby to worry about too. It’s the toughest thing I’ve ever done.

Report

strangerjo ·

25/03/2016 17:57

HarlotBronte – yes yours was, thank you! It is so so difficult recovering and looking after a newborn – I was looking for hope! X

OP posts:

Report

Sootica ·

25/03/2016 18:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster’s request.

glueandstick ·

25/03/2016 23:09

The numbness is really quite upsetting as it extends up the crease of my leg and into my hip area. I feel so alien.

Three weeks post section now and I’m planning to drive in the week. My back is in spasm most of the time which is quite painful but I seem to have blocked it out a lot.

It’s just the numbness I can’t deal with.

Report

FuzzyOwl ·

25/03/2016 23:10

It is to do with nerves but mine has completely gone now (9. 5 months later) although the area still feels horribly numb when I touch it, but no pain at all.

Report

strangerjo ·

26/03/2016 09:35

Fuzzyowl- was it burning pain you experienced and how long did it take to go? I could tolerate numbness better than this pain.

OP posts:

Report

strangerjo ·

26/03/2016 09:36

Sootica – did yours go?

OP posts:

Report

Sootica ·

26/03/2016 17:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster’s request.

strangerjo ·

26/03/2016 18:31

Sootica – thank you! Was your incision pain or more like mine with burning on the skin on the abdomen above the incision?did you get any butterfly sensations? Sorry for all the questions – c section pain plus anxiety and newborn is quite miserable.

OP posts:

Report

Sootica ·

26/03/2016 20:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster’s request.

glueandstick ·

26/03/2016 21:44

I found the painkillers didn’t touch nerve pain. But do try 2 paracetamol and 2 ibuprofen together.

Is anyone having ahem…. Bowel issues? I find myself not knowing I need the loo until it is really uncomfortable and an immediate issue. Literally have no inclination at all.

Report

mrsnoon ·

26/03/2016 21:49

Nerve pain, reduced me to tears on a few occasions and hurt more than any pains associated with the actual op. Happened a few times over the first couple of months but got less intense as time passed.

Report

strangerjo ·

26/03/2016 22:21

Sootica – thank you again. Codeine doesn’t seem to help the nerve pain I have. Hopefully it goes soon x

OP posts:

Report

mineofuselessinformation ·

26/03/2016 22:28

I’ve never had a c-section, but had a nasty cut in the palm of my hand. I had a horrible sensation like being stung by nettles, and was told it was the nerves rejoining, and to massage it at least twice a day (doesn’t matter what with, if anything at all ).
It was horrible while the nerves were still healing, but they did.

Report

strangerjo ·

27/03/2016 22:55

Mineofuselessinformation – thank you, that’s interesting to know…out of interest how long did that take to go. I imagine it was awful what with how much we use our hands.

OP posts:

Report

cyinmin ·

14/05/2016 16:49

Hi all – I just wanted to share my experience, I had the same burning sensation post c-sect. My doctor suggested I take neurobion which is essentially vitamin Bs to help with the healing of the nerves. I started seeing (or rather ‘feeling’) the difference only after 2 weeks or so, the burning sensation reduced tremendously one morning. My only regret is not asking my doc about this earlier and that I had to put up with that weird pain for weeks. I’m now 9wks post natal and I no longer feel that burning feeling anymore and I can wear my bottoms with regular waistband. Only the occasional numbness on certain spots but that’s ok by me.

I bought the vitamin OTC where I lived and was advised by the pharmacist that it is safe to take up to 3x daily which I did for the first 1 month, and the excess will simply be excreted from our body. I plan to reduce to 1x daily pretty soon as I’m also taking in food rich in Bs.

Perhaps you can also check with your doctor if they recommend the same?

Report

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Real Women Talk About Their Experiences

Updated March 2023

Okay friends, let’s talk about recovering from a C-section. If you had a C-Section, you will have a little more mending to do.

A C-Section is considered major abdominal surgery, which takes approximately 6-8 weeks to fully recover from. Have no fear — you’ll be just fine!

Recovering from a C-section is a rollercoaster of emotions and bodily fluids, but with a sense of humor and a lot of patience, you’ll make it through.

It’s a journey that requires both physical and emotional healing. It is a time of vulnerability, where the body and spirit are in need of nurturing and care. The incision site may ache and throb, reminding one of the power of the surgeon’s hand and the miracle of life.

The following accounts were written by various readers about their experiences with having and recovering from a C-Section — hopefully you’ll find some comfort as well as great tips from their stories.

“So, you had to have a C-Section for one reason or another. Maybe you are heartbroken because of it, maybe you wanted it, or maybe you fall somewhere in between. At least you get to skip all that horrific bleeding, right? Right?! Eh, not exactly, although c/s moms tend to bleed a little less than their vaj-delivery counterparts.

Because you’ve just had surgery, you may be gassy (more gassy than your normal pregnant self) and bloated, even uncomfortably so. Ask for Simethicone in the hospital (or at home) if it gets really bad and remember walking around will help get your bowels moving again.

For the first 3-4 days, walking is a difficult task. You will probably need help. You might need help showering. Or, you might just not shower (if you are me). Either way, it is pretty hard to do much more than exist for the first few days. It’s ok, just go with it.

Back to the bleeding – like with a vaginal delivery, you will be bleeding anywhere from 4 – 6 weeks. Still no tampons, just the enormous pillows they send you home with to use as pads. Some advice? Take as much of those mesh undies home as you can, because you best just throw away anything you are wearing for the first two weeks. After that, it should start to taper off.

Unfortunately, constipation, incontinence (ever hear of snissing?), and hip/knee/back pain are also prevalent even with a ‘section’.

Your incision will be painful at first. It also looks terrible, but it will get better very soon. Your doc will remove your sutures or staples in the hospital after a few days, although they may opt to do it later at their office after you’ve been discharged. Don’t worry, the removal is not very painful. They may also use glue on your incision, which will slough off on its own.

Don’t pick at your scar. Let soapy water run over it (once you are able to bathe) and pat it dry. You can put a little triple antibiotic on it after the first week. Don’t worry, the incision is very low, so it’s not going to show in your underwear or in a bikini. After time, it fades very nicely.

Be careful about what you wear. You don’t want much pressure on your abdomen, so maternity pants or sweats it is! You might have some trouble with stairs at first, you shouldn’t drive for about two weeks, and no lifting anything heavier than the baby. Really, just take it easy.

Even though you will be up and at it soon enough, it will be a very long time until you are 100% healed. At four months postpartum, I STILL get some pain around my incision.

Some women say they are running again two weeks after a C-Section. I call them liars. Two-week recoveries after labor are like unicorns; everyone would like to believe in them, but they don’t exist. They say it takes a woman’s body 18 months to recover after a pregnancy. So don’t balk at an 8-week span before you start to feel a bit like your old self.”

Angie A.

“Like many, I tried to avoid all c-section topics in the irrational pregnancy belief that if I didn’t known about it it won’t happen… however my irrational plan didn’t work and my baby was breech. After going through an unsuccessful version, I had to have a c-section hence I read every material I found on sections and I have to say… I got really depressed.

All everyone talks about is how recovering from a c-section is so difficult. All the restrictions, recovery time, no sports etc. It really put me in a funk. In the end, it was all for nothing! Yes we did stay in the hospital longer, but I was cleared for exercise (and sex) when the baby was just 4 weeks old, I was in pain for only about 3 days and then so much better each day. Yes, my body was weak but I am sure it would have been after a vaginal delivery too. Plus… there are all the benefits, mainly no labor! I think it’s worth to tell that story too! Not just the bad ones.”

Karina

“So you think you may end up with a C-Section? Fear not, it happens to the best of us. I was totally psyched to birth my baby under a rainbow in a pool of natural spring water in the woods (totally kidding) when my stubborn baby decided being head down was for the birds. So C-Section it was! If you’re in this boat, or think you may want or end up with a C-Section, try not to stress; every lil thang gonna be alright.

As far as c-section recovery goes, it’s definitely no walk in the park. The main thing is it’s major abdominal surgery, which any other time would be a reason for you to take it very easy and get lots of rest and not do too much lifting or activity. Only… you just had a baby so that’s absolutely impossible. Repeat this mantra- ‘Baby your baby, baby yourself.’

So there you are being wheeled into the postpartum room, and they’re likely going to hook you up to this weird contraption that wraps around your legs and sounds like Darth Vader. This is to massage your legs to help prevent blood clots that are a risk in almost any surgery. They’re also going to withhold food from you until you toot and/or poop. Since they just did a lot of fooling around in your abdomen, they have to make sure your intestines and digestive whatnots are in proper working order before they’ll let you put them to work digesting food again. So as soon as you pass gas? Go ahead and let everyone know. Loudly. Hit the call button and tell the nurses (can you tell I was starving?).

The next thing to know is your nurse is a sadist and will make you get out of bed at some point. Just kidding, she’s likely going to be a wonderful old pro. It really helps to get your body moving, as miserable as it feels. You will feel like an old lady who’s been hit by a truck, but it’ll get better the more you’re up and moving. Just don’t overdo it.

The drug I was given for my ‘family centered C-Section’ (also called gentle cesarean, look it up, really pretty cool) was called Duramorph and its pain killing powers wore off 24 hours after administration. Right when it wore off, I was hit by a coughing and I’ve never been in so much pain in my life. Don’t let this happen to you. I must’ve sounded like I was dying when I hit the call button because a bunch of nurses busted through the door like the Kool-Aid man. So to prevent that from happening, ask about your pain options and frequency and have your husband/partner/mom/whoever set alarms for you to call for them. You will sound like a total junky calling the nurse every few hours for your pain meds, but if you don’t, you won’t get them on time and you just don’t want to go there.

Anyway.

At some point, they’re going to want to remove your catheter; they asked me at about 10 PM if I wanted it removed, which I postponed due to reeeally not wanting to have to get up in the middle of the night to pee, so I had them remove it the next morning. Score!

As soon as you feel up to it, take a shower. If the bandages are allowed to come off, take some baby oil with you to wash the sticky adhesive off your skin. Try not to look at the incision, it will look terrible now and just freak you out. It will look waaaay better down the road and there’s no reason to get upset and see it in its worst condition. Ignorance is bliss at this point, trust me.

As far as when you leave the hospital, just remember your mantra: baby your baby and baby yourself! The laundry and the vacuuming and the dishes can all wait, you just park your butt on the couch or in the bed and take it easy. You’ll bleed and hurt and be sore, have random referred pain in your shoulder and weird burning and pulling sensations in your incision, but you will feel back to normal in a few weeks. As rough as it is, just try to relax and not worry so much, and soak up your sweet new baby!”

Sydney S.

Editor’s Note: There is more than one way that OBs can close your incision, so your incision may be very different than someone else’s, as noted by contributing OB, Dr. Jennie Hauschka:

“Dermabond Advanced ‘glue’ is available for wound closure, but is not widely accepted due to lack of data. We sometimes use it for small laparoscopic incisions, but I avoid it for anything larger and prefer staples or suture [for C-Sections]. I give the patient the option. Suture dissolves on its own and I can make it look “pretty” right away, but the staples come out before the patient leaves the hospital and usually result in the same, nice cosmetic effect in the end. If staples are removed too early, there may be some skin separation that takes longer to heal.

My answer: I like suture for healing and cosmetic effect. Staples are faster, but may have higher chance of wound separation. Dermabond has not been studied in a large trial to demonstrate its superiority to these other two methods and is much more expensive.”

Dr. Jennie Hauschka

A the end of the day, recovering from a C-section is a journey of transformation, a time of letting go of the old and embracing the new. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and a reminder of the power of love. As Maya Angelou once said, “We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.” And so, with each passing day, the body and spirit grow stronger, and the journey continues.

Good luck, mamas!!

Join our Award-Winning Email List:

Read more about recovering from vaginal delivery or move on to Your Emotions.

About the Author

Meg Beilsmith Collins started Lucie’s List in 2010 after learning everything about babies the hard way; she is now the Editor in Chief. She’s an Industrial Engineer from Georgia Tech and a former car seat technician (CPST) who lives near Clearwater, FL with her husband Rich and daughters Lucie and Alice. She enjoys 90s music, MomFit, camping and anything on the water.

What should I do if my stomach hurts after a caesarean?

Abdominal pain immediately after a caesarean section is quite normal, but if the pain persists for a long time, it is necessary to take measures to eliminate it. Which ones, says Passion.ru.

Why can the stomach hurt after a caesarean section

If the stomach hurts after physical exertion – this pain is physiological. The fact is that the healing of the sutures is quite slow, and muscle tension can cause discomfort in the area where the incision was made. Until the scar tissue is fully formed, you should not get carried away with hard work around the house and actively play sports.

A very common cause of pain can be accumulation of gases in the intestines . Abdominal bloating appears as soon as the intestines begin to actively work after surgery.

Adhesions may affect the uterine cavity, intestines and pelvic organs. Adhesions develop as a result of increased release of a viscous fibrous substance fibrin in the area of the surgical suture, which leads to “gluing” of nearby damaged tissues.

Breast milk stimulates the contractility of the uterus , therefore, during feeding, there may be a pulling pain in the lower abdomen and even a feeling of numbness in the projection of the uterus.

Endometritis, or inflammation of the uterus , also causes pain. Unfortunately, a cesarean section, like any surgical intervention that affects the abdominal organ, can provoke inflammation of the inner layer of the uterus, the endometrium.

What to do if your stomach hurts

All women experience pain in the recovery period after a caesarean section, but the length of this period depends on many factors, including body type, age of the woman and comorbid conditions.

The first few days are especially difficult, the pain occurs with any movement, when you try to turn around, get up, reach for the phone. Therefore, immediately after the operation, an ice pack is applied to the stomach, and, if necessary, the doctor prescribes medications appropriate to the case: painkillers that reduce gas formation, antibacterial, contracting the uterus, and others. There is no need to be afraid that analgesics will pass into breast milk and harm the baby, this will not happen in any case.

In addition, you can try to alleviate your condition on your own, if you remember a few simple rules.

How to relieve pain yourself

Learn how to turn around properly when lying in bed. To do this, you need to bend your legs and rest your feet on the surface of the bed, then lift your hips, turn them to the side and lower them. Then turn your torso to the same side. Turning around this way is much easier and your seams won’t be affected by the movement.

You also need to get out of bed correctly: first you need to turn on your side, hang your legs off the bed and sit down. Move your legs for a couple of minutes, then gently stand up, keeping as straight as possible. The seams will stretch, but this should not alert you, take a few careful steps, keep your back straight. It will get easier each time.

After anesthesia, in order to get rid of the mucus accumulated in the lungs, one has to cough, which is also quite painful. But you must do this, so try the following exercise: press the towel tightly against your seam, this will protect and strengthen it. Then take a deep breath and exhale sharply, drawing in your stomach. Repeat the exercise several times for an hour, especially if there is a feeling of “sobbing” in the lungs.

In the first week after the caesarean section, special attention must be paid to the suture, it must be washed daily with an antiseptic solution and protected in every possible way from the slightest irritation.

In case of increased gas formation in the intestines, when there is a feeling of “bloating”, you can do simple exercises: in a sitting position, try to rock back and forth while breathing deeply. This will help reduce the accumulation of gases and remove them.

Drink enough fluids, water balance is disturbed during breastfeeding. In addition, it will help prevent constipation. And do not forget to empty your bladder on time: the more often you do this, the less chance you will give pain.

Breastfeed as early as possible, but don’t forget to protect your inseam with a pillow.

Do not rush to get behind the wheel of a car, sudden movements and tension – both physical and emotional – are completely useless to you. And consult your doctor about physical exercises: there are special postpartum complexes that allow you to quickly get back in shape, and at the same time get rid of some of the causes that lead to pain.

Many OB/GYNs also advise against sex in the first 5-6 weeks after a caesarean section. But this does not mean that you should completely avoid intimate communication with your loved one. In the end, caress and tenderness have always been considered the best painkiller, and happiness and good mood will not leave pain any chance at all!

How to cope with gas formation in the intestines after caesarean?. Multi-probiotic BAK-SET

Flatulence is a common occurrence after a caesarean section. According to statistics, increased gas formation worries about 40% of women who have undergone this operation. With excessive accumulation of gases in the intestines and their slow discharge, there is a feeling of fullness in the abdomen and severe discomfort, and the quality of life deteriorates significantly.

Why does gas production occur in the intestines after a caesarean section? How to solve a delicate problem? What drugs can be taken by a young mother? We will try to find answers to these questions.

Causes of increased gas formation in the intestines after caesarean section

The main cause of flatulence is the abdominal operation itself. In 90% of cases, after surgery, the work of the intestine worsens: peristalsis is disturbed, digestion of food slows down, and a large amount of gases accumulate. Negative factors also include:

insufficient physical activity,
taking antibacterial drugs,
use of local anesthetics,
unbalanced diet,
non-compliance with the drinking regime,
containment of defecation,
intestinal dysbiosis.

To get rid of flatulence, you need to adjust the diet. Pastries, legumes, all types of cabbage, whole milk, grapes should be excluded from the diet. You also need to move more: go for walks with your child, walk around the house more often. It is equally important to restore the microbial balance in the intestine after surgery and antibiotics. To do this, you can buy new generation probiotics in a pharmacy.

Probiotics to restore the balance of microflora

BAK-SET Forte is a new generation probiotic produced in the UK.