4 Weeks Pp-c Section-feeling a Tugging at Incision Site. Is This Normal?

You can have A LOT of scar tissue and nerve damage - which is all normal for a cesarean. The lovely things you need to know BEFORE a c-section but the Dr didn't tell you.

I still have severe cramping pain when I have to poop because of all the scar tissue I have, AND I cannot feel most of my belly underneath the belly button to the scar.

Oh it will be sore for some time. I've had 3 c-sections and pregnant with another and this one will be a scheduled c-section as well. Every woman heals differently but I can tell you that 4 weeks is too soon for you to expect to feel normal. My incision was no where near feeling normal at 4 weeks postpartum. Your mobility will improve as will your ability to move faster. My doctor may be considered "old school" but he said for the first 2 weeks do no lifting other than carrying the baby, no driving a car and no up and down stairs...for the first 2 weeks. And, I can tell you that I was very sore for some time past 4 weeks! Your tummy will be bloated and hard and sore. You shouldn't be having any active days. Where is your husband or family to help you???? It gets better but you need to remind yourself that not only have you just had a baby, but you have had major abdominal surgery. Lay off the activity and rest as much as you can. If you don't, you will hinder your recovery.

I would say normal - at 4 weeks I wasn't anywhere near healed. Also instead of having muscle that streches a necessary you have scar tissue so you may always have a slight pulling sensation depending on how you are moving.

But if you are that concerned, go see your doctor...

Doctors often explain C-sections as routine surgery but it really is major! I had the same kind of symptoms. At my 6 week, I asked my Dr. about the swelling/hardness around the incision, and she said it was from the stretching they do, beyond the cutting. She said it's totally normal. Either way, you should call your Dr. just in case. I thought I would never be normal again, but it does eventually get better!

I had a c-section with my daughter. I remember the dr. saying the discomfort would be better in 4-6 weeks. It was more like 10 for me! Also, it still itches from time to time .... and my daughter is 7 years old!

Patience. Your body has been through a lot. A c-section is major surgery, so do what you can to rest and be kind to your body for a while. I know it's hard with a newborn. If those symptoms remain in the next couple weeks, alert your OB/GYN. Surely you have a 6 week follow-up visit scheduled?

This is a major surgery! I like how the Dr. say it is routine, I told my Dr. it may be routine for you, but I do not routinely have someone cut me open! At any rate, it will take longer than 4-6 weeks to feel normal, it can take up to a year. I am five months post op and still feel a little twinge in the incision line every once in a while. Some women say it takes up to a year and even years after you can have some unusual feelings...

Hi J.,
I had a c-section too and I felt that "tugging" feeling for at least 6 weeks. It got better and better, from constant, to twinges, to nothing. It definitely took alot more than 4 weeks. It took about 3 months till I felt well enough to do a good workout at the gym. I've noticed the older I get the longer it takes to heal. I had an appendectomy at 13 and was feeling great 4 days later, then the c-section at 30 took 6 weeks to feel decent, and about 6 more to want to exercise. I also had bloating and stomach issues, terrible nausea, gas, etc- my Ob/gyn told me it was because when you get a c-section they touch your lower intestines/bowels, and that can affect some people for a time but that it's temporary. I would talk to the Dr. about how you're feeling, but I felt very similarly and it went away over time.
Best of luck, feel better soon!
L.

I had two c-sections and after the first one, it took longer than a month to get back to "normal". I cannot remember the exact time frame but it was definitely longer than 4 weeks. I will say that after my second c-section, I recovered a lot faster. I don't know if mine was mental (first c-section was a complete surprise, second was planned) or what but my advice is to take it easy and recover!! A c-section is major surgery and that is at least an 8 week recovery. I remember having pain every now and then easily a year after the c-section. (sorry) Now, 8 years after my second c-section, it is rare for me to have any pain. Good luck. Talk to your doctor but I think that the pain is probably normal.

I had a C-Section in July and I wasn't allowed to do any exercise until mid-September and then once I started back to my normal routine in September I can honestly say that I recovered about 70% by February of the following year and about 95% by about 1 1/2 years after my baby was born.
It took about 8 to 9 months for my belly to go down....and actually almost had to wear maternity clothes back to my job after my 4 month maternity leave!
I did manage to squeeze into a Size 16 pant (and a size 12 shirt -- looked like a clown!) by my return to work ....but by February / March I was back in a 12.

To this day, 4 years later, I can't really feel my stomach below the belly button.....so when I have to shave it for some little hairs...it's so bizarre....it's like my finger can feel my stomach but not the reverse.

The advice my doctor said when I saw her was that it takes 9 months to put it on.....so it is going to take at least 9 months to get back to normal and then some.

I would say it is too early to be painless. It took me good 12 weeks to feel normal. My stomach was much normal after I had my periods. I was most disappointed person on the earth after emergency csection and thought I will never recover but I did. I promise you would feel much better within 3 months.

Are you running a fever? You need to be seen by the Dr-don't call him-go-

I've had several abdominal incisions but not a c-section. I felt what could be described as a tugging while each one was in the process of healing. You have several layers of stitches. All of the internal ones are dissolving. Nerves are growing back, skin is attaching to skin and tissue to tissue. You're getting some or more scar tissue. The sensations you're feeling are probably normal but the only one who can say for sure is your doctor. Give him a call.

I've had pain for months after each of my surgeries. The last surgery was for a hysterectomy. My body made lots of scar tissue with each surgery to the point that now, 10 or so years later I cannot run for long or regularly without having some pain. I was also bloated, tho I don't remember my abdomen being firm for weeks after each surgery. My abdomen was tender for a couple of months if not longer. I was off work for 6-8 weeks after each surgery. I think it's normal to not be back to normal at 4 weeks.

My doctors said it's normal to not fully recover for up to a year after major surgery. Any abdominal surgery with a full incision is major. What kind of anesthetic did you have? It does take longer to recover from general anesthetic than local or a saddle block. General anesthesia can add difficulty with memory and focus.

I'm going through the EXACT same thing! I'll be 4 weeks post-op tomorrow, and I'm very concerned about this burning/shooting pain on my left hip area. It only started about a week ago, but I'm still needing prescription pain medicine at least once a day to deal with it. If it's still there next week, I'm scheduling an appointment to see my OB before the 6 week post op visit.