Dealing with chronic pain after C-section – Having a baby is one of the best experiences a woman can have. However, it’s not all sunshine and roses. There are many good things about being pregnant but also some challenges that come with it. One of these challenges is dealing with chronic pain after childbirth (also called postpartum pain).
Try to get regular exercise:
Exercise is one of the best ways to reduce pain, so it’s no surprise that exercise can help you cope with chronic pain after childbirth. Even if walking or doing other activities hurts, move out there! Try walking around your neighborhood or taking a short jog around the block. You might feel stiff at first, but try to push through any discomfort so that it doesn’t worsen over time. You can also search for a good trainer around you, e.g., I live in Pakistan so I will look for the ‘best trainer in Pakistan’. It’s crucial because you don’t want to suffer from wrong postures or extra heavy training; the baby depends on you!
Take any pain medication that your doctor recommends:
Talk to your doctor about the pain medication that’s best for you. You may be able to take over-the-counter medications and/or prescription drugs, depending on the severity of your situation. If possible, try to avoid taking opioids because they can be addictive and cause problems in the long run (e.g., constipation).
Keep moving and avoid bed rest:
- Keep moving. As you recover from your C-section, it’s essential to stay active and avoid bed rest. Your body needs exercise to heal correctly and maintain muscle tone. If you can’t walk around the house or take a short walk outside daily, try doing gentle exercises with your baby (like arm raises) in bed.
- Avoid repetitive movements when possible; if they’re unavoidable, make sure not to overdo them! For example, don’t repeatedly lift heavy bags of groceries or go on extended shopping sprees right after giving birth; instead, do things like take walks around the neighborhood instead of driving everywhere or asking someone else if they’ll shop for groceries while you rest at home with your newborn child.
- Also, don’t forget to take your vitamins and supplements, as they will give you strength, vitamins, and minerals your body needs!
If you do have a surgical incision, keep it clean and dry:
Keep your incision as clean as possible while showering or bathing. If possible, keep the dressing on during these activities. Use soap and water when washing the area around your scar but not directly on it–soap can irritate sensitive skin and cause infection.
You should change your dressing at least once a day unless it gets wet or dirty (in which case change it immediately). Do not use bandages over open wounds because they can become dirty or cause further irritation from rubbing against clothes or bedding during sleep; instead use sterile gauze pads taped directly to your skin with medical tape (Scotch tape).
Drink plenty of fluids and eat small meals throughout the day:
You’re recovering from a major surgery and your body needs to heal. Drink plenty of fluids, eat small meals throughout the day, and take it easy on yourself. If you are suffering from any other issue like diabetes, then arrange your diet accordingly and visit a good diabetes specialist!
The new mother may be tempted to eat whatever you want or drink lots of coffee or soda pop when you feel tired or nauseous after surgery. But this can make your stomach hurt worse, especially if you have been given medications that cause constipation. Drinking plenty of water will help flush out any painkillers in your system so they don’t linger longer than they should–and it keeps you hydrated while healing!
If possible, ask someone close by who cares about them (such as their partner) to make sure they are eating enough food throughout each day; this person could also offer assistance with household chores such as cleaning up after meals or laundry duty etc.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help:
The mother may feel alone, but you are not alone.
Chronic pain after a C-section is common and can be difficult to manage. You may feel like you’re the only one who has ever experienced this kind of pain, but that’s not true! It’s important to remember that many other women have gone through similar experiences, and there are people who want to help you get through it. Don’t be afraid to reach out for support–your doctor, family members or friends can be an invaluable resource when it comes time for treatment options and decision-making processes involving medication use (or lack thereof).
Follow your doctor’s recommendations for after-care:
- Follow your doctor’s recommendations for after-care, and ask them questions about anything you don’t understand.
- Stick to the plan that they give you. If they say not to lift anything heavier than 10 pounds, don’t try to lift 20 pounds because you think it will help get rid of some extra baby weight faster. Your body needs time to heal before putting too much strain on it again; otherwise, chronic pain could set in later on down the road.
Consider that there may be underlying causes for the pain:
While pain after a C-section is not uncommon, it’s important to note that there may be underlying causes for the pain that may need to be addressed.
Pain after C-section can be caused by:
- Scar tissue (adhesions) in your abdomen or pelvis. These develop when the incision has healed, and they can stick organs together and cause discomfort or painful sensations. The scar will usually heal on its own over time; however, sometimes surgery is required if adhesions are causing problems such as infertility or bowel obstruction.
- Intrauterine adhesions (IUA). These are bands of scar tissue that form between the uterus and other organs like the bladder or intestines during pregnancy due to inflammation caused by an infection or trauma during delivery. While these typically resolve themselves after delivery without any treatment needed, some women require surgery to remove them because they cause complications such as infertility later on down their lives.
Your doctor might recommend physical therapy:
Physical therapy is a type of treatment that can help you get back to your normal self. It can also be used to relieve pain and improve your range of motion after surgery, especially if it’s done soon after delivery.
Physical therapists are trained to treat injuries and chronic conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome. They use different types of exercises (like stretching) as well as massage techniques or heat packs on sore muscles in order to reduce stiffness or inflammation so they can move more easily again over time.
You can try acupuncture as a way to manage pain:
Acupuncture is a type of traditional Chinese medicine that involves inserting needles into the skin at specific points on the body. Acupuncture can be used to treat a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain and muscle tension headaches.
Acupuncture has been shown in studies to help with postpartum depression, anxiety and stress–and it may also be able to help you manage your chronic pain after C-section surgery. If you’re interested in trying acupuncture for yourself or for someone who has recently had a C-section, talk with your doctor about whether this treatment would be safe for them (as well as affordable).
Splurge on the pillow you’ve always wanted.
Your body is going to be sore after surgery, so splurge on the pillow you’ve always wanted. If you can’t get it for free or at a discount, then buy it! It’s worth every penny. You’ll want something soft and comfortable that will allow your neck and shoulders to rest comfortably as you recover from surgery. And don’t forget about those arms: if one of them has been immobilized in order for doctors to operate on your abdomen, it’s likely feeling very stiff and sore too! A good armrest will help take some pressure off those muscles while they heal up nicely.
If possible, try out different pillows until you find one that feels right against your body (and hopefully doesn’t cost too much).
Take time for yourself:
Taking care of a newborn is incredibly rewarding, but it can also be exhausting and overwhelming. You may feel like you are constantly on call and have no time or energy to do anything else. You might feel guilty about wanting some “me” time, but remember that taking care of yourself is important–not only for your physical health but also for your mental health as well. A little time off from caring for the baby will help keep you fresh, so that when you are with him/her again, he/she gets the best version of Mommy.
Conclusion
Chronic pain after C-section can be devastating, but there are many ways to manage it. If you’re struggling with this condition, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Talk with your doctor about the best treatment options for you and get started on them as soon as possible. You deserve to live life without being in pain!
Author: Emily John
Published by: International Pain Foundation, iPain Blog, Team iPain
