Medical expert of the article
New publications
Pain after Caesarean
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Today, more and more often women, when the time comes to give birth, resort to medical help - they make a cesarean section in order to avoid birth pains. About birth pains, after all, legends are composed! Just do not think young moms about what they are trapped underwater stones and pain after Caesarean section.
What is a caesarean section? This is an unnatural birth, when the child is removed from the uterus of the parturient woman through an incision of the abdominal cavity.
Scheduled caesarean section is appointed by both doctors and is chosen by the most in labor. In such cases, the incision in the region of the uterus becomes horizontal. Indications for cesarean section are:
- small pelvic size, which prevents the free passage of a child during natural childbirth;
- incorrect location of the placenta, which blocks the way out of the child;
- various growths and formations in the uterus;
- possible rupture of the uterus, caused, for example, by the divergence of the scar left during previous births;
- diseases associated with various body systems and organs, such as retinal detachment or cardiovascular diseases - in which case the diseases may pose a threat to the life of the future mother;
- various complications of pregnancy, which can also threaten the life of the mother;
- incorrect placement of the fetus before delivery;
- if the baby is not alone;
- The presence of viral or allergic diseases on the external genitalia, which threaten the newborn infection.
There is the concept of an emergency cesarean section, which is performed during natural childbirth, when complications arise that threaten to negatively affect the health and life of both the mother and the child. In this case, the doctors make a vertical incision. Indications for an emergency cesarean section are:
- minor labor activity, its suspension or even termination;
- a sudden detachment of the placenta, which threatens the fetus with the fatal outcome of childbirth;
- too much stretching of the tissues, suggesting a rupture of the skin or the uterus itself;
- insufficient supply of oxygen to the child - hypoxia.
The first day or two after the cesarean section of the woman in childbirth is under the watchful eye of doctors. To reduce the uterus and stop blood loss, as well as for external anesthesia, an incision with cesarean is placed on the incision from the cesarean. In addition to ice, other medications are also prescribed, which not only anesthetize and contract the uterus, but also contribute to the restoration of the gastrointestinal tract. Antibiotics are also attributed to obstructing the development of diseases after surgery. An excellent means for the fastest recovery and restoration of female organs doctors still consider earlier the beginning of breastfeeding, as this stimulates the reduction of internal female organs and promotes the production of milk.
Why there are pains after cesarean section?
Undoubtedly, in the first few days, and even longer, the woman in childbirth will suffer pain after cesarean section. All the same it is an operation and it can not pass without a trace. Why are there pain after Caesarean section? There are many reasons for this, but consider the most popular ones.
Pain in the abdomen after caesarean section
After cesarean section the wound is treated with special anesthetics, therefore the pain is not felt. When their action ends, pains in the abdomen after cesarean section come about, associated with damage to the tissues of the body, that is, the wound will begin to hurt. How much pain in the abdomen after cesarean section you experience - depends largely on your pain threshold, as well as on the number of approaches to cutting the tissues of the body. Typically, pain after caesarean section, caused by a sensation of injury, disappears in the first week, but some tingling in the seam area can last up to a month.
Also, abdominal pain after caesarean section may appear due to disruption of the bowel and the accumulation of gases in the mother's maternity. Usually the pain from the accumulation of gases passes when they are released. Also, abdominal pain may appear because intestines have spikes - the cleft sections of the intestines, which provoke pain.
Pain in the abdomen after caesarean section
Usually the pains in the lower abdomen after caesarean section suggest that the organism even functions after surgery as prescribed by nature (after natural delivery, the uterus is shortened for some time, causing pains that are similar to menstrual pains). Lower abdominal pain after caesarean section may be intensified when the mother feeds the baby, since the body produces a natural hormone that helps reduce the internal female muscles.
If the pain in the abdomen after caesarean section is prolonged or even permanent - always consult a doctor, as this may indicate a violation of the uterus, as well as its inflammation.
Severe pain after caesarean section
Usually severe pain after caesarean section in parturient women is manifested after sudden movements, deep breathing and even when walking in the first days after the operation. This is due to the stresses imposed on the damaged and not yet recovered skin areas near the incision. It is worth saying that it is not advisable to feel sorry for yourself so as not to stretch the rehabilitation period. However, too much to overdo the activity is also not worth it, because there may be tearing of the seam, which is fraught with many negative consequences. If you suffer unbearable - always consult a doctor.
Back pain after caesarean section
During pregnancy, the load on the spine of a woman is greatly increased, because there may be various pinching of the nerves, spasms and pain. Back pain after caesarean section may be a consequence of the pinching of those very nerves. They can also appear as phantom pains, to which the maternal organism gets used during pregnancy.
Back pain after caesarean section
Sometimes in recently given women repeated acute pain in the lower back after caesarean section. Such troubles are more often observed in those who nevertheless tried to give birth to a child naturally. Pain in the lower back after cesarean is due to stretching of muscles with attempts. Stretchings certainly arise, since the fetus is in any case too large for the narrow birth canal through which it passes. Also important is the evenness of the spine before pregnancy - women with a twisted spine and a broken posture suffer from back pain after cesarean more often.
Pain after urination after cesarean
Pain during urination after cesarean often occurs due to the installation of a catheter. Discomfort is observed in the parturient women with whom the catheter was installed either incorrectly or larger than required.
Also, pain when urinating after cesarean can indicate the inflammation of the urinary tract. In this case, the urine acquires a specifically strong odor and becomes not very transparent. Also, inflammation can confirm a rise in body temperature and discomfort in the lumbar region.
Pain after sex after cesarean
Many women after prolonged abstinence from sex during pregnancy after childbirth rush to resume their sex life. However, there may be pain in sex after cesarean. There are cases when the pain does not pass even after 3-4 months. In this case, it is better to consult a doctor who can advise you what will be better for your body. However, in most cases, pain is present and if you feel the need, have sex. Over time, pain with sex after cesarean will be over. The main advice - do not overdo it and do slow smooth and gentle movements, so as not to injure organs that have not yet returned to normal after cesarean section.
Headaches after cesarean
Most often after using anesthetics of varying strength, the mothers have headaches after cesarean. Usually, this discomfort quickly passes. However, if any medical error was made with the administration of an anesthetic, headaches after cesarean can last from several weeks to several months. However, the pain will still pass, when the body is fully restored.
Pain in the legs after cesarean
Both during and after childbirth, most mothers experience pain in their lower limbs. The pain in the legs after cesarean testifies that the edema has not yet gone or the varicose veins begin. Varicosity can be caused by the fact that during pregnancy in the body of a woman the amount of blood increases, and the vessels do not have time to deform and stretch, in order to keep up with the blood. Vascular valves in this case often do not cope with their work, which leads to a certain stagnation of blood in the lower limbs, which slows down the blood flow. In order to avoid such problems, experts recommend using special stockings against varicose, which promote proper movement of blood throughout the body and prevent stagnation of blood in the legs.
Pain in the vagina after cesarean
Most often, pain in the vagina after cesarean is observed in those women who tried to give birth naturally. In this case, pain in the vagina after cesarean speaks about stretching it or about possible tearing. Stretching and pain, respectively, will pass by themselves, however, to accelerate the process of recovery, it is recommended that Kegel's so-called exercises be performed (relaxing and straining the muscles of the genital organs to strengthen and increase their elasticity). If the pain after cesarean does not pass with time, it is still necessary to consult a doctor who can accurately diagnose the gap and prescribe an individual treatment.
Give birth to healthy children and keep your health. Remember that in matters of health, the individuality of each individual organism is very important and plays an important role in determining the correct and most effective course of treatment.
Who to contact?