C-Section Adhesions & Scar Tissue
Unfortunately, C-Section adhesions and scar tissue are a very common side effect of having a cesarean birth.
As you heal from having a c-section your body will naturally produce scar tissue or adhesions which is the body’s way of replacing the damaged, cut tissues at the incision site, however these adhesions can cause complications.
To clarify, there are really two kinds of scars. There is the external cesarean scar which is the external scar that occurs at the incision site but there are also the adhesions which is the deep scar tissue that occurs in the facial layers of the body. Both are very different in terms of the problems they can cause and how they are treated
For example, the external c-section scar is just that, a scar. It is often red and somewhat raised but over time and with care it will disappear. There are even cesarean scar treatments that are very effective in reducing the appearance of c-section scars.
C-section adhesions, on the other hand, occur on the inside and can adhere or tighten and pull on the abdominal cavity affecting your muscles, organs or even your bones, nerves or arteries. When this happens it can cause things like bowel or digestion problems, back or abdomen pain, it can also become problematic for future c-sections.
Of all the common c-section complications, adhesions and scar tissue can be the most troublesome.
Adhesions begin forming almost immediately after surgery and for many women adhesions are painless, never causing any complications whatsoever, however for others they are not only painful, they can create complications to organs such as the ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, bladder or even cause bowel obstruction. Adhesions can also interfere with subsequent births causing infertility.
For women with extensive c-section adhesion and scar tissue complications such as excessive pain or infertility, adhesions have successfully been treated with laparoscopic surgery to remove them. This procedure is less invasive and has been shown to relieve pain and also help improve fertility.
Massage Therapy has also shown to improve adhesion related issues, however more investigation on the benefits of massage is the topic of my next investigation.
HELLO MY NAME IS LAVON IM 48 I HAVE HAD 3 C SECTIONS KIDS 31 ,27,23 BUT NOW MY STOMACH HAVE BEEN GIVING ME PAIN IVE BEEN CHECKED I HAVE IBS BUT I DO HAVE A LOT OF FAT I SOMETIMES HURT ALOT I FEEL LIKE SOMETHING IS PULLING WHEN IM LAYING DOWN WHEN I GO TO TURN I HAVE TO HOLD MY STOMACH I FEEL LIKE ITS THE EXCESS FAT HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU HAVE SCARED TISSUE CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME THANKYOU LAVON
Hi Lavon,
You may very well have scar tissue that is pulling on your muscles. Have you checked with your doctor on this? The problem is that x-rays and ultrasounds do not detect scar tissue. It’s mostly through examination that a doctor can detect how much scar tissue you have.
There is a procedure now called visceral minipulation. This is a gentle massage technique that helps release scar tissue and internal adhesions, it’s designed to increase your range of motion in your organs. This procedure is used for a lot of things and scar tissue is also one of them.
There are many centers that perform the procedure, however I would check with your doctor first, see what s(he) says about your scar tissue first. The procedure may not be for everyone but it might be worth checking into.
hello,
my name is bindu. my first child is a c-section baby, now 3yrs old. now i am 8months pregnant.
my first incision is still itchy and i still feel some discomfort in that area. i heard of adhesions and massages to cure it. does your book cover this area. are there any self-massages included in your book. i live in place where i cant find any experts or therapists to cure adhesions. my c-section is due in 50 days. please help.
Hi BIndu,
At the present time I don’t have useful information in my book about adhesion massage or visceral manipulation. I’m researching the topic to inclusion to my book for the next release. I don’t know precisely enough about how to do self-massage to instruct you on this, however you can check on Amazon as they have several books on the topic that may help.
Kind Regards, Elizabeth
Hello
I am 43 , I had 4 c-sections before I was 24. I am pregnant after 19 years .the doctor i went to see tells me that my uterus will explode and me and the baby will die. he did not check me, it was a consult.. what are the odds for me dieing? I don’t have much time to make a decision and i’m scared to death.. please help..
Sounds to me like that doctor doesn’t want your case
I’m a little perplexed that a doctor would say your uterus will explode and both you and baby will die, that’s a little over the top. I don’t think this is a doctor you want anyway… goodness!
Having had 4 c-sections means you have adhesions which is a problem for many doctors and with good reason, rupture of the uterus or other complications are a concern but there are women who have had 5 or more c-sections and they didn’t die.
Do you or did you have pain or complications from adhesions now or in the past? That may be a clue as to whether you may have adhesion complications.
I would suggest finding a doctor that is willing to not only take your case but is willing to support you and watch your pregnancy closely, someone that isn’t going to scare you. I personally feel the attitude and communication you get from your doctor makes a big difference, you need someone caring, willing and experienced. Worry also complicates things so try not to let this doctor cause you unnecessary fear and worry, often easier said than done, I know, but it’s important to be positive and surround yourself with professional people that are too.
hi my name is shani i am 48 and have had to normal del and 3 sections since the birth of my last child who is now 19 i have suffererd with ibs and crippling pain in my left side i have had tests done and scans which havent showed anything the pain is so bad sometims i just curl up with a hot water bottle it gets really bad during and after a menstral cycle if i need to cough i have to hold my stomach becoz it is to painful i am wondering if this cauld know be adhesions when i went for my scan the scan lady said what i was discribing sounded like a problem with muscle damage but im not so sure i would be gratfeful if you cauld let me know what you think thanks
Hey Shani, it’s possible that scar tissue could be causing the problem. Scar tissue doesn’t show up on scans and xrays so it’s hard to know, even for the doctors.
Has a doctor examined you yet? He should be able to determine the problem from an exam. IBS and pain can be symptoms of scar tissue but obviously I can’t say for sure. Until your doctor can examine you it’s anybody’s guess – but scar tissue is a good possibility.
My name is Amber…and I had a c-section 8 yrs ago with my twins. I have had some discomfort and pulling and burning on my right side right at the scar site. And have recently noticed a hard lump in that area. Could it be scar tissue causing this pain? And can it happen this long after my c-section? (8yrs)
Amber, Just off the top of my head this sounds like an adhesion problem and yes, adhesions can cause pain many years later, in fact it happens quite a bit, however it’s important to check with your doctor, even though it sounds like an adhesion problem no one can know for sure without seeing a doctor first.
[...] a c-section, subsequent c-sections will often take longer, this is most often due to the amount of c-section adhesions & scar tissue that a doctor has to maneuver through to get the baby [...]
My girlfreind is going in for surgery to try an remove scar tissue from her c-sections. She worrys that she may not be able to have more kids if her uterus has attached to the scar tissue. Is there any truth to this and can it be fixed if so?
Hey RJ, C-Section adhesions that are removed through surgery are fairly successful and they help over 60% of the time, so there’s a good chance your friend should be able to have more kids, however that’s just a general observance, since I don’t know anything about your friend and her medical history I can’t say for sure but for most healthy women the outcome is positive.
i am 2 weeks away from having my fourth c section honestly im very afraid. what would be the risk of having 4? the last was done in 2008
Hi Von, Adhesions can complicate things but what does your doctor say? He’s really your best indicator. Since this will be your 4th c-section the surgery itself may take longer because there is more scar tissue for the doctor to get through, but for many women, they are fine. Placenta problems can also be a risk, specifically placenta accreta but if you are 2 weeks away from delivery you’re probably fine as bleeding may occur in the third trimester with placenta accreta.
Be aware that your doctor may urge you not to have more children as the next c-section would put you at even greater risk. Having had your last c-section in 2008 isn’t as much of a concern, it would be more of a concern if you were having a VBAC and that’s not an option after 3 c-sections.
Don’t be afraid, if you’ve had a healthly pregnancy and you’re feeling good you have every reason to believe everything will be fine. On your next visit to the doctor, if you have one, ask about these things, discuss your fears and get your doctor to tell you what these things mean for you and how he deals with complications he comes across. Best of luck to you and your little one and don’t worry!
thanks so much for your advice. i really needed to hear those words of encouragement.
I have had 2 C Sections, the last one being 1996. I Have had a pain on my lower right side for many years, whilst stretching or sneeezing. My abdomen has swelled and gone away for most of this time. Now my abdomen has been swollen for about 3 months without going down. I have been given movacol to take regularly. I have had an MRI scan, CT scan and sigmoidoscopy, I am waiting for results. Sigmoidoscopy was clear. Is it likely to be adhesions? If so, what will happen next.
It’s hard for me to say what will happen next without knowing what the problem actually is. The amount of pain your having and the cause will determine what you doctor wants to do. If adhesions are the the problem you may want to look into visceral manipulation or physical therapy, something you should check with your doctor about.
Hi, i had a c-section 10 day ago, i am experiencing pain when i urinate in my lower abdomen, and I also have a painless swelling near the right side of my incision. I had two c-sections before , the last in 2008 January and both had no issues. Please advise
You should check with your doctor however the swelling and lumpy feelings around your incision is often normal and should go away with time, however since you’re also experiencing pain in your abdomen when urinating there may be something more going on. I would urge you to ask your doctor.
Hi I’ve had the same burning pain in my right side an slight swelling on my right side since my caserean four years ago. Had ultrasound Friday and the lady said nothing was jumping out to her.doctor wants me to have LH/FHS blood test and I’m unsure why.
Hi Aimee, Unfortunately an ultrasound won’t detect adhesions or scar tissue. Not sure either about the blood test, only thing I can think of is that the blood test could possibly detect something that might be going on such as an infection. Hope all turns out OK for you
Sorry I meant to ask whether this could be adhesions? I’m really worried can u help???
Hi Amy, this could be adhesions but I have no way of knowing for sure. If it does turn out to be adhesions try looking into physical therapy or visceral manipulation. This is a massage therapy that can loosen adhesions if they attach themselves to organs or other tissues. It can also help reduce the pain and other complications they may cause.
The best thing for you right now is NOT TO WORRY. Worry is stressful and can make you sick. Take a deep breath and relax. It doesn’t sound life threatening to me. You’re doing the right thing by having it checked out so simply sit tight until you truly know what is going on – promise me you will do that
hi my name is samantha i have had 2 c-sections one 5 years ago and the other 4 years ago. i have also had two misscages and an etopic pregnancy there last year. From i have had my daughter i have had problems with my section scar its always been sore. After i had an etopic pregnancy i noticed a red lump on my scar i have been to see the doctor and they said there was nothng wrong with i didnt believe the doctor so i ask to see another doctor and she was saying she thinks i could be a stitch that has not went away has i had to get the other stitches cut out. It get really sore around that time off the month its can be very tender to
Hi
My name is Mahaveer My wife had c-section 4 days back, I would like to know the methods to follow to remove/reduce her internal and external scares, any oil, massage,creams, yoga, excises etc.. that can bring her back to normal postion, and completely take away marks on her tommy and bring her body back to shape.. Please help us to follow best methods.
Hi Mahaveer, At this time you should not do anything to treat or try to reduce the appearance of her scars, it’s much to soon. If you do, you risk infection. For getting back into shape there is a c-section exercise guide by Jago Holmes that is quite good. Also Maui Healing kits has a c-section recovery kit with Hemming Scar therapy that may help.
Hope that helps
Hi – I was just wondering if scarr tissue could really be dangerous in the future. I had my second c-section 4 months ago and the Dr. said there was a lot of scar tissue and it could affect me in the future. My scar does not seem like it is heeling as good as the first time. It is still very sensitive, itchy and lumpy and I have started working out again and my scar really starts bothering me. I dontk now for sure if I should contact the Dr, is the scar tissue getting worse, maybe connecting to other organs and if so, can this harm you? I have had problems going to the bathroom every since the surgery….It is just always so uncomfortable. Any advice?
Thanks!!
Danni, it’s hard for me to say but scar tissue can cause some problems, short and long term. The itchy and lumpiness should go away at some point. I’ve known it to take a year or more. When you say you have trouble going to the bathroom, what kind of trouble? Usually when scar tissue adheres to other organs you have a lot of internal pain, if this is what’s happening you should check with your doctor. The problem is there’s not a lot that can be done for adhesions. Having surgery to remove them just creates more adhesions. They also can’t be seen in x-rays or sonograms. Massage therapy has been the popular trend and I understand it does help, but talk to your doctor first, if he isn’t concerned then I’d sit tight and let your body heal completely.
I have been having mild pain and buring since I had a c section in 2007. I assume its adhesions but recently I noticed a bean size lump an inch or two above the incision sight. Its on the inside and I was just wondering if you can feel adhesions. Its sore on that side and in that area. Its a new thing though. That area has been sore before and I would feel around and it kinda felt like there should be a bruise there but there never was. It always felf kinda lumpy but I am guessing it was just fatty tissue until I felt this one that seems harder and tender. ANy help?
Hi-I have had 2 sections in 05 and 07 without complications. In 09 I started to notice some discomfort in my left lower abdomen that radiates up to my hip at times. I notice that it starts during ovulation and continues for a few weeks on and off. Over the past 4 months I’m having problems with my bladder-urgency and irritation around the urethra area with a negative U/A. I have had 2 Ultrasounds-both negative and a cystoscopy that showed scarring on my bladder. The urologist said that was probably from my c-sections. I guess my question is can this all be caused from c-section adhesions and can these adhesions effect neighboring nerves? I can live with the discomfort in my abdomen but how can I confirm that it’s from adhesions? Any help or suggestions is much appreciated!!
Hey Michelle, so sorry to hear about our pain, I know that must be troublesome for you.
I can’t confirm that this is from adhesions, in fact it may be difficult for a doctor to determine that. The scarring on your bladder may have something to do with it. Adhesions can affect other nerves and organs the problem is it’s very hard to confirm that.
Hi,
I’m Shirlie, I’ve had an emergency c-section 2007. I managed to get back on my feet after 3 months, but then suddenly began to experience strong burning pains just below the stitching, and a lump that appears to be growing. This discomfort occurs a fee weeks before my menistration, and after! It is extremely painful at times I’m bed ridden. When I cough sneeze, or try to get up from sitting or lying down is absolutely painful! If my knickers touches this area, or any item of clothing, the agony I’m in is so unbearable for my husband and children to see! I have visited my doctor and told me I’m not alone, gave tablets to take and said it was the stomache muscle tissue stitched in an error of emergency! My husbands wants me to go for further tests to have it removed, but I am scared of experiencing more pain! I’m also a match to donate my kidney to my sister who has Renal failure. Please bless me with your wisdom!
Kind Regards
I’m so sorry Shirlie to hear of your pain and discomfort but I have to say I’m with your husband, I think you should go for further tests and consider having it removed. Having surgery may end the problem, not having surgery could prolong your pain and suffering indefinitely. It’s certainly something to consider.
Are you expecting donate your kidney as well?
I had a c-section 24 years ago and 2 succesful vbac’s after that. The incision was vertical and recently at the lower end of the scaring, it seems to have stretched and is red and very sensitive. Is this normal so many years later? Infection wouldn’t be a concern would it? That same area of the scar was slower in healing as well, because of it’s location, and was not as nice and clean in looks as the rest of the scar.
Martha, it’s unusual to have problems with redness 24 years later. How long have you had the redness and soreness? It may be an ingrown hair or an acne formation. It’s hard for me to tell but I’d watch it and if it doesn’t go away or gets worse check with your doctor.
I have had 3 c Sections in the last 5 years. 4 1/2 months after my last one I have had chronic loose stools. I have had ct scan, mri, ultrasounds, stools samples, colonoscopy, endoscopy and blood work done all are okay. the only test that came back with a problem was a test for malabsorption – 72 hour fecal fat was at 27mmol/d. i took flagyl (antiobiotic) which temporarily cleared up the problem. this has been an ongoing problem for 6 months . anyone else have this happen after their c section? could adhesions cause this problem? I have no pain. they have ruled out crohns, colitis, celiac. HEELP
I had 2 pregnancies & 2 c-sections…the last one being 11 years ago. For the past year I have had severe back pain which wakes me up every night. We bought a new mattress, but that didn’t fix it. So I ended up at the chiropractor. After many visits and little relief, we did x-rays & discovered scoliosis (but the kind that causes the spine to rotate), bulging discs, pinched nerves & arthritis. The chiro said it didn’t make sense why his treatments weren’t bringing me relief. My range of motion is fantastic…I can lift my legs like a dancer, but have muscle spasms in my lower back and pain across the hips. He eventually put me on an inversion table and figured that would start relieving those disc problems. As I laid on the table, I noticed that my abdomen was really hard. I told him about it and when he started examining the area he found a considerable amount of scar tissue related to my c-sections. He then explained that it made total sense for the scar tissue to draw up the abdominal muscles which in turn is causing the spine to rotate thus the disc & muscle problems. Now we’re trying to figure out what to do. Do you know of other women with this problem and where I can turn to for relief. Is there a support group out there? Any help is appreciated.
Hi Shirlie again!
Yes I have just recently found out that I’m a match to donate my kidney to my
sister, she has renal failure for 9 years! My sister older than her died November with the same illness. I just want her to have a better quality of life and live long enough to see her daughter (5) marry and have children! She has not expectations on me, but I don’t believe she should suffer any longer!
Yes, scar tissue may very well be the culprit. Try the ICAN Network, here’s the link. http://www.ican-online.org/ they do quite a bit of support for c-section moms and they also have a forum that you can bring your questions and concerns to. I think you’ll get a lot of feedback there. Good luck
What a wonderful person you are. Your sister is a lucky lady. I actually just found out myself that my sister will be losing a kidney due to cancer. It’s forced me to think about what it might be like having to donate a kidney myself, although if her remaining kidney fails her husband is a perfect match so I guess that would fall on his shoulders, but having thought about it myself it’s a big step in someone’s life to have to do that. May God bless you and best of luck to you
I am 39 this August. Had a c-section 4/5/06. At times, when sitting down, I feel as if there is something in my lower abdominal area that is ‘in they way’ and it is uncomfortable and sometimes, painful. I am now beginning to experience a nagging discomfort (almost a scraping feeling), behind the left edge of my scar. Additionally, my stomach at certain times during the month is so bloated I look like I’m 5 months pregnant! Could this be adhesion or some other issue?
Hello,
I had two c-sections; one in ‘96 and the other in ‘00, and two miscarriages and a d&c in between. I’m truly grateful that I have two healthy children. The past 6 years or so I noticed a gradual change in bowels, from chronic loose stools (since childhood) to constipation. Of course I was given a colonoscopy and the only thing the doctor found was that my bowels were “kinky”. She had to give me more medication part of the way through the procedure because it was so painful. I’ve also had an endoscopy since then due to heartburn – which I have never experienced before in my life – even with pregnancy. A small hiatal hernia was found, nothing else.
The only explanation for these symptoms that I can come up with is adhesions. Does this sound plausible or familiar to anyone?
Thanks so much for your time.
It could be adhesions, the problem is it’s hard for anyone to know for sure, even the doctor as adhesions don’t show up on xrays or ultrasounds. I’d check out the bloating, not sure if that is a side effect of adhesions. I’d check with your doctor on that.
Shani,
I would also suggest you be checked for diverticulosis, which is a condition of the bowels. I have this and it causes a lot of pain on my left side when it flares up. Your doctor can detect this by doing a colonoscopy.
Hope that helps!
Hi there. I had twins in 2007 and had to have a c section. I thought i recovered quite well. but noticed niggeling pain round my scar the doctor told me it was adhesions. the pain did calm down. now im pregnant again with 1 baby and i was hoping this time for vaginal birth (vbac) im 32 weeks pregnant and my belly has been quite sore. the same pulling feeling you women have described. i think it could well be my adhesions and im now scared to death on the best dessicion to make do i try vbac or a section????? im really scared about these adhesions. im actually terrified. please help. anyone been through this. is it more dangerous to give birth with adhesions or more dangerous for a section
Hayley, that is a good question. What has your doctor said? The problem with having another c-section is you will be creating more adhesions.
Have a look at this page under the section titled “Birth After Cesarean Section’ about half way down the page:
http://www.pregnancy-info.net/c-section_adhesions.html
I am Christa and I am 41 years of age. I had an extremely easy vaginal delivery in 1999, then twins delivered c~section in 2002. A few years later, I began having some lower abdominal discomfort and then strong sudden urges when having to urinate. In 2006 I was tested, scoped and eventually underwent adhesion removal from my uterus, which was attaching to my bladder.
I recently have been back for testing for all the same issues again. My doctor is recommending removing my uterus to give me relief from my bothersome issues. Siting more surgeries for removing the thick adhesions growing all around my uterus, the risks of the surgery itself, and the fact that surgery would only promote more scar tissue, I should consider a hysterectomy of just the uterus. I do not desire more children so don’t want to hold~on to my uterus” just because’… It just seems so barbaric…. Is this done occasionally for treating my issues? Keeping in mind, my issues are , bothersome, painful and interupting my life daily.
Hi my name is Lourdes, I am 21 yrs old I’ve had 2 c-sections my last one was 9 months ago. These past couple of days I began to have stomach pains and now my right side is red swollen and hurts i also had a lil puss come out around that area also has an odor. What do you think it is?
Lourdes, any time you have redness and puss with an odor there is an infection. Call your doctor right away.
I am 33 weeks pregnant with my second child. I had a c-section with my first and I got pregnant again nine months later. I woke up this morning with a swollen knot on the right side of my scar and it has doubled in size by tonight. The pain from it just keeps getting worse. It hurts to stand, sit down, or lay down. DO you think this is something I should be concerned about and call my doctor. Or, is this completely normal? I’m kind of worried
Robin, a swollen knot is not normal. It could be scar tissue but never hesitate to call your doctor. Anything that hurts that much means there is something amiss. Your doctor should at least know about it. Call your doctor.
hi there,I had a section in 2007 and another late 2009.during the second it took a while as found out after i have alot of scar tissue,my bowel and bladder are abit stuck with it.was told another child by c section could be risky but not impossible.they warned me about bowel and bladder damage during another op but at the same time they said it could be dealt with.Am so confused what to do as would love another baby but don`t` want to put myself at risk.
What are the risks? could I have my scar tissue removed? if a problem arose could it be sorted.
hoping you can help.
Rachel
Hey Rachel, Call me old fashioned but I’d follow the advice of your doctors. The risks you are up against are permanent damage to your internal organs. Having another c-section could complicate the problem you already have. Having another baby is certainly not impossible but at what risk to your health? Removing scar tissue is a viscous cycle. You might remove the scar tissue you have but the surgery to remove it causes more scar tissue so you can never really get rid of it so for most doctors that’s not an option.
There are physical therapy remedies that they say can break up the scar tissue. Try asking if your doctor has information on that. I’m still researching that topic and hope to have to good information on it soon.
Hi,
I had my first baby by emergency cesarean in 2004. I then couldn’t get pregnant again and was finally told that the internal adhesions had stuck my organs together and caused infertility. ( I had also been suffering with bowel problems and been told it was IBS. I had a sigmoidoscopy which they had to stop as it was too painful . I later found out my bowel was at right angles and stuck to my ovaries, causing infertility.)
I then had a laparoscopy to treat the adhesions. I fell pregnant and had my son in 2008, again by emergency c-section.
I’m pregnant again (I’m 44, unplanned ) and am very concerned about the risks caused by scarring. I don’t want to put myself or baby at risk but will likely have extensive scarring and increased risks with a cesarean.
My first child was an emergency c-section, but afterwards an overfull bladder pushed everything up and busted internal stitches (found several days later) and I am full of adhesion scar tissue. I did have a vaginal birth after cesarean (V-BAC) which was WONDERFUL, and a piece of cake compared to the cesarean, both then and afterwards. After 12 years of abdominal pains, tons of invasive testing and my doctor giving me meds (Levsin etc) and diagnosed w/irritable bowel, a Physical Therapist (I was seeing for my neck) told me I could stretch and maybe even break the adhesions that were causing me sleepless nights and pain filled days. She even called over to my doctor. My doctor said, no, he wouldn’t give me orders to go to PT for that, he’d never even heard of it. Months later I Begged to go to PT, having had problems with the medication he’d given me, nearly stroking on it in hot weather. Only after I cried, he got disgusted and wrote the order for PT saying it wouldn’t do me any good. The Physical Therapist I saw was wonderful. She, too, had suffered abdominal adhesions. She taught me stretches and excercises to do to loosen up the tight pulling painful areas. It hurt like MAD to do them, but afterwards I would take 2 ibuprofen and put a heat pack on the area, and the next day realize that amazing progress had been made. Within 4 treatments I was able to learn how to help myself, and for years now have been managing on my own, THANK GOD for the kind Physical Therapist. (I no longer see that doctor, but did tell him of the sucess of the PT).
I now think of the excercises as my adhesion massage exercises, but I think it is called myofascial tissue manipulation or something like that.
Hey Pat, Thank you for posting.
That’s a great testament to what physical therapy can do and thank goodness you were persistent about seeing a physical therapist. I’m finding that doctors are a little resistant to seeing PT’s, not sure why; but I’m finding that a good PT can help with adhesions. I’m hoping to do more research on this topic so as to give other women some beneficial news on how to overcome the problems that adhesions can bring. Blessings.
hello,
i had a csection 4 weeks ago and it has been closed up for aiittle while …my stomache hangs over and it seems like there is a white buid uo of some sort,,,barely any but it has a slight odor its not puss its just kind of there.also i have a sort of stretchmark if you will…that is really sore to th touch it wasnt there before my c-section it is sore to the touch and the skin around it is irritable to the touch.its beyween my bellybutton and the incision site is this normal,and what do you do for sweating in the area where skin hangs down???
I’d check with your doctor on what that is. If your skin is overlapping your incision that could be creating a slight infection. Since I don’t know what your incision looks like I don’t want to recommend putting anything on it to keep it dry, I’d prefer you check with your doctor. The stretch mark that is sore to the tough may be an internal incision infection, again I can’t say for sure, but I’d definitely recommend calling your doctors office and at least describe it to them. I’m guessing they will want to see you.
Hi, I had C-sections in1997 and 1999 and a hernia repair through same scar in 2001. After a couple of years I returned to the doctor with abdominal pain (also under ribs and into shoulder) which resulted in removal of my gallbladder in 2003 (keyhole surgery). 2 months after this the original abdominal pain returned and continues till now. It would be brought on by activities which require bending – cleaning, gardening etc. The pain builds up and lying down is the only thing to bring relief (that and leaving trousers open which helps a little, but that’s not always possible!). I have been on various tablets and had various tests done over recent years to establish the cause but i’m no further on. I had wondered if trapped wind was to blame as I also have IBS (predates the children!) but could scar tissue be causing a problem?
Hey Marion, Scar tissue can always be a problem, it’s just difficult to tell, even for your doctor. Have you consulted with your doctor lately? Also trapped gas could be the problem as it is very painful! You could even have a combination of things.
If you are on medication for your IBS, scar tissue could very well be the problem since you’ve had several surgeries. I’m not a doctor and even if I was, it’s hard to tell these things without an examination. On your next doctor’s visit I would suggest scar tissue complications to him/her and see if s(he) is willing to pursue the pain from a scar tissue perspective.
Hi im 8 months after my emergency c section due to not progressing. In theatre my uterus didnt contract and i haemoraged badly losing an awful lot of blood. I had to have a balloon in my uterus for 24 hours to get it to contract back. Following this I got an infection in my womb and a blockage which left me in intensive care. It cleared up after two weeks in hospital. Now 8 months after I am back exercising and doing some part time work tennis coaching however my upper abdominal has an aching burning like sensation using by the afternoon most days. I have a egg shaped bulge in my tummy from my belly button to just below my breasts which doctor thinks may be a hernia but I thought it might be abdominal separation after reading about it. Would this be causing the pain or is it just weak muscles? Its not a sharp pain but a nagging pain a bit like back ache. Thank you
I’ve given birth to our first child a bit more than 5 weeks ago, by emergency c-section due to labour not progressing enough and the baby’s head pointing in the wrong direction (two attempts at vacuum extration were not successful). The whole process took 54 hours from the moment my waters broke! I now still have sometimes quite strong pain on both sides of the incision, and today at the check-up the midwife could feel the knots from the internal stitches exactly at the places where I have pain. He said this was normal and that they would go away/dissolve eventually. However, I’m still concerned that scar tissue or adhesions are forming already – could this be the case? Or should I simply give it more time for the pain to go away? And should I lie down more or is moving around better for the healing process? I would really appreciate your advice. Many thanks!
Hi Elizabeth,
My name is Sarah, and I’m 30 weeks pregnant with my 2nd child. I had an emergency C section with my first, and have a planned C section in 8 weeks for this pregnancy. I am in extreme pain in my lower abdomen, not so much when I’m sitting, but when I stand up and try to take a few steps, it feels like a very bad pulled muscle. Do you think it could be scar tissue? Should I be concerned and get in to see my doctor right away? Thanks for your help!
Hey Kath, it’s hard to tell but it may be a combination of hernia and weak muscles. You could have some scar tissue pulling as well. I’d check back with your doctor and see.
Sylvia, You need to give this more time. 5 weeks isn’t long enough to really know. Often times the knots and tenderness will dissipate with time, so try giving it a few more months.
Sarah, This could be scar tissue but it could be anything. I’d check with your doctor. For you and me, it’s on speculation and you need to know what’s going on. Don’t get too worried about it but do check with your doctor.
I had an emergency c-section in 2007. About 8 months ago, I started having extrem pain during my period. I also noticed an internal lump on the left side of my abdomen a few inches above my c-section scar. I had an Ultrasound and CT scan, neither of which found anything wrong. Since then, the lump has grown and is very firm and painful when pushed on. I am also experiencing bouts of constipation and diarrhea, lower back pain, anemia, pain when straining (ie, lifting, or bowel movements). My questions are, can you feel internal adhesion/scar tissue from the outside? And is pain from adhesions constant, or does it worsen/improve with other factors, (ie, period, exercise, strain,etc)? Thank you for your time and sharing your knowledge!
Jen
Hi Jen, Adhesions are not often felt nor can they be seen from an ultrasound or xray. Pain from adhesions can worsen but it can also go away. Sorry, I know that’s not much help.
Women often get a hard a tissue mass that is nothing to worry about, it usually dissolves and goes away with time, but it’s also not painful. Since yours is sore it may be due to something else. Sometimes it can be your bodies reaction to the stitches or the area may be infected. Since you’ve been to the doctor and had a CT scan and ultrasound and your doctor didn’t seem to have concerns, I would say that it will most likely dissolve with time. I’m not an adhesion expert but I’d say that if the pain worsens you should let your doctor know.
hello, my name is gretchen and i have had 3 c sections and have a lot of abdominial pain since my last c section about 6 years ago. I seem to feel a lump on my right side and it usually start to hurt until after my cycle goes off. i usually hurt about 2 weeks and then it relaxes or stops hurting until my cycle comes and goes again do you think this could be from adhesions or scarr tissues from the c section….
Hey Gretchen, scar tissue is not generally in the form of a hard mass. It’s not possible for me to know what that is for sure so just to be on the safe side I’d check with your doctor.
I have some concern with regard to scar tissue. My first and only child was delivered via C-section. When he was about six, I started noticing a hard mass just above my ceserean scar. I had an ultrasound done at that time and it was determined that it was a hard mass. I took that data to a genereal surgeon who was confused as to what it was. He had thought that it may be scar tissue and had considered the possibility of a hernia. He decided to leave it alone unless it became systemic. I have raised concerns with my OB doc and he believes it to be incisional endometriosis. It has become more noticeable now and is sensitive. Sometimes it appears to be sorta purplish like a bruise. My OB doc wants to remove “the nodule” nex week but I am concerned. This may be a dumb question but he would know if it was a hernia. I don’t want him removing something that might cause damage or death. I know that is probably a simple question but….it is on my mind.
Lacey, I’m not an expert on this but here is a page I found that may help. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2769132/
If you do have incisional endometriosis it looks like surgery is the best choice. On the other hand it could be a hernia. I agree, your doctor should know what it is. My suggestion is to get another professional opinion. Any time you have surgery a second opinion is always a good idea. I hope that helps
I have had two c-sections one in 2002 and 2005. After my first I had pain all the time and my doctor told me I had scar tissue and would remove it during my next delivery. When I delivered in 2005 he removed scar tissue in which he said it was the size of his thumb. Soon after the pain returned in the same spot only this time it’s a blackish purple area approximately an inch and a half long that drains a dark brown liquid (does not have an odor) every so often. I have been to the doctor with but have yet to get answers. Please Help!
I had my second csection four weeks ago. It has been a tough time, really sick and had to be put back in the hospital for four days. Now I am home and things seem to be going better however I keep having pain right above the left side of where they cut me. There is a 1 cm mass. It sends shooting pain down my left leg at times. I went to a nother doctor (not obgyn) and she pushed on it and now it is even more painful. My ob said to wait and we will re look at it later. It showed up in the ultra sound. Any ideas what this might be? I thought maybe scar tissue but if that does not show up on an ultrasound then what might it be? I was just told it was a 1 cm mass and would discuss it later at 6 week follow up. But the pain at times is unbarriable now, since the other doctor pushed on it.
Any help would be great
Thanks
Jo, it could be some fluid or blood that accumulated under the skin. If this is what it is it should break down and disappear over time. That may be what your doctor is waiting for, to see if it dissolves. Of course I can’t be sure this is what it is but it wouldn’t hurt to try applying a heating pad to the incision to help break up the fluid. If it turns out to be something else this may not help but it certainly can’t hurt.
Hello,
I’ve had 3 c-sections. My last it took the Dr. about 30 minutes to get my baby out. After the delivery I was in the recovery room and my Dr. came in about 3 times and told me that I shouldn’t have any more babies because I had too much scar tissue and that is why it took so long to deliver the baby. She said I had it all over my bladder and just all over that general area She said she cut it all out but it would most likely come back and to not have any more babies. I didn’t press too many q’s on her at the time 1) because I’m sure I was pretty drugged up didn’t think to and 2) because at the time I didn’t think I wanted any more kids. It’s been 15 months and now I’m starting to think I might want to have another baby. So I’m wondering what the danger in having another baby with so much scar tissue from previous c-sections?
Jodi, Having yet another c-section will mean your doctor will have to cut through all of your adhesions before actually delivering your baby. For women who have had more than three c-section this could take ten minutes to an hour or more. If your baby had any type of fetal distress this could place your baby at risk.
The more c-sections you have the more adhesions you’ll have and adhesions can cause pain, bowel obstruction and infertility. My biggest concern would be abdominal pain that you could experience later on. Adhesions cause pain because they can wrap around other organs causing pain when you move. But an even bigger problem would be bowel obstruction. If scar tissue forms around your intestines you could experience blockages which means you’ll have trouble excreting waste and that is simply no fun.
No one has any way of knowing if you’ll have any of these problems but the risk is that you could. If you absolutely want another baby be careful to consider all the risks, think carefully because it’s not just you that is under risk, it’s your baby and your other children. If you have health problems your children will see a lot less of their mom :- (
Hello. I had a c-section 14 months ago and healed quickly and perfectly. I have recently started a gym and have worked hard the past 2 months. I was considered obese at the time of my ceserean and while I still am I have lost 10 lbs. Since starting my weight loss I have noticed that my scar is very itchy and I scratch a lot at night while I’m sleeping. We wondered if this could be my body “reshaping” from my different weight. Can this happen?
I had a very complicated C section the first time due to a uterine septum, which was corrected and the second pregnancy the OB that done the first C section and the new doctor decided to agree on a 36 week delivery due to the scarred tissue…. Now I’m due at Christmas with a 3rd should this also be a 36 week delivery?
Crystal, The doctor probably does not want you to go into labor, this is because of the fear of internal stitching rupturing. I’m not familiar with uterine septum but I’m guessing that labor may not be a good thing for that either. 36 weeks is not optimal but certainly OK. If your doctor feels 36 weeks is best I’d go with that, he knows your circumstances best.
Melissa, that’s a good question. Itching usually occurs from healing and if your body is changing. In the case of old scars, the scar tissue gets a little stretched causing the nerve endings in the surrounding area to be stimulated, this is what causes the itching sensation in older scars and your weight loss may also be contributing to the changes going on. Try not it itch or rub it, this could cause it to swell up. If it doesn’t eventually go away, I’d check with your doctor.
Ok, the pain has gotten worse. I have a 2.5 cm cyst but my doctor said it should not cause that much pain. I wake up crying at night because it is so bad at times. The pain is on my left side. It is swollen and painful to walk, lay flat, sit or stand for a long time. I have had an ultra sound (many), and a ct scan. Nothing was found but the cyst. However, when my dr pushes on it the pain is so bad i jump. I have had an on and off fever. I limp when I walk it is so bad. I just wish it would stop hurting so I can enjoy holding my child and do summer activities wiht my 6 year old. Any suggestions would be great. I go back to my ob on thursday, my family doctor today said “Well I just don’t know”, but you want pain meds. I said no I want the problem solved not masked. I was so upset with her blowing it off.
Any suggestions would be great and thanks so much for your help
Background sorry, 2nd c section 7 weeks ago. Doctor said that I had a lot of scaring when she went in to do the 2nd c section and that is what took so long, to cut through it. It actually caused the baby problems because of the length of time. Not sure if this could be adhesions or something else. I am just so sick of going to the doctor and not being able to do activites. Thanks
I have had serval cyst ruptures and i also had a miscarriage in the past mths i finally had surgery to remove the adhesion scar tissue the doctor said that was located behind my uterus i do also have a little endometrosis above my left tube Do you think that the miscarriage was due to the scar tissue behind my uterus it was a missed misscarriage i had no signs of losing the baby i lost it befor 5 wks but didnt find out til 14 wks
Julie, it’s hard to know for sure whether or not your miscarriage was from scar tissue, I would say that scar tissue behind your uterus was probably not the cause. Endometreosis could also be the culprit, in fact over 40% of women with endometreosis have miscarried, that’s mainly because it can cause hormonal imbalances. Here’s some more good information on the topic http://www.endo-resolved.com/infertility.html
hi.i had a normal delivery in feb 2004 and an emergency c-section in 2006 which i healed really good and them i had to have another emergency c section may last year.they didnt stitch the centre of my wound and it weeped for weeks on end as the skin wasnt healing.they cut me in a higher up place second time.now a year on and i still get stabbing pains in my scar and its all horrible,hard,lumpy and painful all over and i hate touching it.where they didnt stitch the centre i keep getting little scabs healing over all the time.it feels as though im going to burst open again.they think i might have adhesions.what do you think? thank you
It sounds like you had a sloppy stitching and if that’s the case the continual scabbing and healing may be causing adhesions or scar tissue which can cause pain. It’s impossible for me to know for sure but this could be the reason for the pain you’re having. You need to address the issue with your doctor and focus on how you can get this resolved. It may take some time but it will help you in the long run.
Hi Elizabeth,
Thanks much!
I had a C-section about 3 1/2 months ago, and everything went perfectly. The c-section cut healed quickly and nicely. Tonight I notcied a round lump the size of the tip of my thumb, just below my c-section scar. You can’t see if from the outside; you have to feel around for it. No pain. I can’t really say how long it’s been there, or if it just appeared. I’m not even sure why I felt inclined to poke around my scar; but while I was doing it, that’s when I felt it. Would it be safe to say it’s scar tissue and can it form rather quickly and can scar tissue come in all shapes and sizes, months after a c-section? Of course the first worry is a tumor; so if you could relieve that worry and tell me hard round lumps post c-section are normal, that would be great….
Hi Jennifer, it’s not likely that it’s a tumor or even scar tissue. Lumps around your scar are normal and many women get them, sometimes fluid builds up around the area, it’s not clear why this happens but often times it goes away with time. Of course I’m not a doctor and haven’t seen you so I can’t say anything with certainty but I don’t think you need to worry.
You might try putting a heating pad on it, if it is fluid build up this may help break it down. If you don’t notice it getting smaller within the next week or so after doing that, give your Dr. a call just to see.
Hope that helps
Thanks for your quick response Elizabeth; and yes, you certainly helped. Mom’s are lucky to have your knowledge so readily available to them. Thank you again.
Just wanted to say I went back to see my FACOG that done the removal of the uterine septum he says yes on the Amniocentesis and yes on a 36 week delivery if I make it that far. So wish me luck I’m off.
Very best of luck to you and your precious baby. *hugs*
I had a C-section March ‘09 then had a lap chole (Gall bladder) March ‘10, today I have been experiencing crampy feelings around my c-section scar and I am puzzled. I have had bowel problems since I was pregnant (constipation) but this crampy feeling doesn’t feel like that. Could it be adheasions? Both of my surguries went well with no problems in healing so I don’t understand why I would start having problems now. It is so flippin’ lame.
After 8 weeks of pain and every test known to man, my Dr is going in next week to look for scar tissue, she said if that did not help then they would have to open up the incision to release a trapped nerve. Dr said could not do both at same time. Not sure why. If I am in this much pain after surgery next week I will be so heart broken. Just want it over
Hi Danielle, Scar tissue forms as your body heals. Even though your surgeries went well you can still have adhesions, but it’s hard to know if adhesions are the problem, even doctors can never really tell. Have you started your cycle again? You may be getting your period which is causing the cramping.
Hi Jo, Usually when you have pain that can’t be explained like that, scar tissue is always suspect. Not sure what ‘going in’ to look for scar tissue means. She may mean she’s going to use some sort of laproscopic procedure to look for scar tissue. If that’s the case they can’t do any nerve repair, I think that would mean regular surgery.
I know this has to be hard for you, pain like that is no fun, chances are they will be successful at finding the culprit, so don’t stress, it will be over soon and I’m sure you’ll be feeling better soon *hugs*
Hi Elizabeth
In 2002 I had an operation to remove a cyst on my right ovary, in 2004 had my first child, 2007 had my second, both c-section and same scar with the operationt, now I’m 16 weeks pregnant and I’m starting to be seriously concerned because I’m starting having pain in my lowerback and right on top of the scar. Should I be concerned?
Patricia, Don’t be concerned just yet, but do discuss those things with your doctor. Lower back pain isn’t unusual, the pain on top of your scar I’m not sure about, but I would say that as long as it isn’t showing outward signs of infection you don’t want to get concerned yet, but ask your doctor to see what s(he) says.
Hi,
I had a emergency cection with my first child in 2006, then another in 2008 not emergency, and just recently one in febuary of 2010. When on the operating table the dr said he found a lot of scar tissue and that if I wear to have another it could cause them to cut into the bladder…I wasn’t to sure what he was talking about and not all there since he was preforming the csection. He wasn’t my Dr. I went into labor out of town earlier, and I didn’t really get a chance to follow up. I just would like a little addvice on what the risk are and what I should let my Dr. know when I do plan to have another baby. I have noticed that one side is alot bumpier than the other. I do wish to try one more time for another baby since I have 3 girls and would love a little boy, Please let me know any info that may help me
Aja, C-section adhesions and scar tissue can be problematic. It’s hard to know what your doctor saw when he was in there but if you’ve got scar tissue around your bladder it can make things complicated. Adhesions can cause problems or damage to other organs, generally these things can be fixed it just means more surgeries and medical complications for you and of course the more surgeries the more risks are involved. I can understand how you would want a little boy but carefully consider your health too.
Thanks, I do have one more question. If I wear to have another baby, could it be monitered, to make sure me and baby would be ok. Or is it just impossible and not worth trying ?
Aja, Typically most pregnant women are seen by their doctor once a month and based on your history your doctor would check for certain things. That type of monitoring is important and I wouldn’t bypass that.
Hi, I had a c-section on 04/15/08, after a few months of my surgery I noticed a lump, it never went away, for the las two years I had pain in my c-section cut, I can’t do exercise, or take long walks because my stomach gets swollen, I can’t strech, I feel a burning in the lump area, it hurts so much, any physical activity is hard for me right now, I am going to the doctor this week, is there a treatment for this? I am not sure from what I read above. Thank you.
Hi Beatriz, if there are adhesions there is treatment which is like physical therapy massage. Here’s an article that may be helpful. http://www.homerphysicaltherapy.com/article/part2.htm I’m glad you are going to see your doctor though, adhesions could be the problem but it could very well be something else. Hope all goes well
Hi I was seen in the ER on Friday spent 15 hours there… They did all kinds of lab work, ct scan, xrays, pelvic exams, urine tests everything came back normal. I have this pain so bad that I cry with it… I have a very high pain tolerence. The pain is in my left upper thigh into my pelvic area, through my abodmen around into my lower back… I have had 3 c-sections, my gallbladder was removed, I have had a tubal, a dnc and an ablation. Could this be caused by scar tissue? The Er sent me home with Dilaudid.. But it doesn’t take the pain away it keeps it at around a 2-3 pain level. I went in to the ER it was a 10+. I went to the ob/gyn and she tried to tell me it was all in my head and that it was just menstrual cramps.. I have had menstrual cramps and this is nothing like it. I got off the table told her to have a nice day and thanks for wasting my time. I don’t even have menstruals anymore. Due to the ablation. When I did have them I would cramp very bad…(again this is not the same pain). I couldn’t leave my home and had to take iron pills for my menstrual being so bad. I tried to explain all this to her but she didn’t want to hear nothing,.. She was to busy trying to tell me I was crazy.. The checked me for kidney stones which came back negative. They thought I had twisted ovaries which they tell me today Monday that I don’t have that…
July 28,2010. Good morning, I just came across this site. Alot of information. I am 53 years of age. I had (2) emergency C-Sections, They were (5) years apart. They were in 1982&1987. I also had Tubaler done right after second son was delivered. They both were C-Sections due from tilted Uterus plus could not dialate pass 5 on either child. . During the end of third trimester,Ob/Gyn , back then some 30 years ago, Said due to the Uterus problem and all the scar tissue, adhesions ,I could not have any more children, and I would be wise to have a tubaler done,( for I could not use birth control pills) So sixteen years after #2 C-Sectional I had my first Ventral Hernia was found 08/2003. Something that I never knew I had. I was very active, between family, and working 8 to 10 hours a day in landscaping, in Florida. I at that time would have abdominal pain, signs of a hernia, but back at that time, I didn’t know anything about hernia’s. i was healthy didn’t get sick. Other then allergies to bee’s wasp etc.. Yet I would have alot of Yeast infections. So on my anual female check up. Pap smear. nurse found hernia. So emergency hernia surgery was done. This was done with stitch method or called Tension. Just like how C-Sections are sewn back together. So now I have a large scar running from under breast bone down the pubic area.Ok it is now 7 years later, I have both scar tissue & adhesions from now three abdominal surgeries. I moved from Fl. to Al. in 2008, started a new job at a book warehouse. I started to have acid, heartburn sour stomach problems, yeast infections. same signs from first hernia. So my OB/Gyn checked me out put in a referal to hernia surgeon who put order to quit job, I had a start of navel hernia, Back at that time I could not have surgery to repair no insurance, loss of job, all this on top of the blanket lawsuit of bad hernia mesh and now recurrence of hernia, Which I am finding new surgeons don’t want to touch another surgeons work, So any way I now have health insurance and on disability. I now have Thyroid problems Ui problems, on Vesicare for that. My urological whats do a bladder sling tack surgery. I said no to that for medical mesh law suit also. So I also have Edema. Which I tie all to having Hernia. Now my Health issues are posted, I just had a CTScan done last week 07/21, alot of scar tissue adhesions, also on the uterus. I feel that because of all the tissue problems the surgeon does not want to to surgery. He said to wear n abdominal binder 24/7. see you in 3-4 months and we will do another scan, he says scan did not show any hernia, Yet when I try bending over it fells just like insides falling through a hole. I am sorry for all details, but I advice. Thank You.
Linda, My advice is to get a second opinion. It is true that most doctors don’t want to operate when there have been several previous surgeries, it’s risky for them, but sometimes it’s just a matter of finding a doctor that is willing to find a solution for you.
An abdominal binder should help you feel better, but I’m not sure it will produce a change internally. My best advice, however is to pursue this with other doctors and see if anyone can come up with a solution that will work. My best for your safe and full recovery
07/29/10. Good morning, Thank You Ms. Elizabeth for your reply. My posting is not to scare anyone, but is to help others. For I have been research everything that I can. I need to ask you a few other questions. Does the use of tapons in younger years have any kind of baring in later years of female bladder problems? i ask, because in early teens pads were used, but on emergency bases tampon were used. Back in the late 70’s early 80’s when TSS was tied to certain tampons, My neighbor ’s 18 year old came down with TSS, then a week afterwards I came down with it. I caught the first signs of having TSS . This was before my sons were born. I also could not use any form of birth control from the birth control foam to the pills. We had to rely on the calender method. On one of my first Ob/Gyn visits for the pills, a paps was done,along with screening for cervix polyps. Both a Cystoscopy & Ureteroscopy were sat for next day. For doctor feared that their was something more going on. So on the next day the ureteroscopy was done to check for kidney stone nothing . So then the Cystoscopy was done. Their was polyps, Their was 3 removed from the cervix and 2 more along the wall. They were sent off for cancer test for they were totally off color. They came back negative. Then in 2003 another cystoscopy was done just a couple weeks before hernia found. Another polyps was removed. at that time doctor said he thought that I had something more going on. So he sent me back to regular Ob/ Gyn. theyfound the hernia and that’s the emergency surgery. So now with all the surgeries polyps could all this lead up to the drop of the bladder? Ok back in 03/ 20 was refered to to Urological Associates. Another Cystoscopy was done of the bladder and Urethra. The urethra tube showed scar tissue, no polyps. Again he put me on Vasicare after trial runs of three different types of meds were used to see which would be best for UI control. Any way he also wants to do a Transobturator Sling Placement. Which at that time I said no, because of the fear of all the vaginal mesh tape or ribbon defects. i have researched more about the different types of UI Surgery and have read some horrifiing stories. . So what is your take on all of this?
Hi Linda, I don’t know of any link between using tampons in younger years and bladder problems but this is not an area I am that familiar with. The problems with your bladder could be any number of things. I would suspect, just as you have, that the surgeries and infections may have affected your bladder but it’s hard to know for sure. Yes, there are many horrifying stories with regard to the urinary tract. I had many urinary tract infections in my earlier years but I’m lucky enough today that I don’t have any problems in that area. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help in this area but I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you ** hugs**.
Hi,
I have had 3 c-sections, the last one was 5 years ago. This morning I noticed that the scar has suddenly turned red and is very itchy. I have had no issues with this scar for well over 4 years now so I am surprised that it could suddenly change this way. Do you have any ideas what may cause this?
Hi Elizabeth, it’s hard to say for sure, have you done any heavy lifting or strenuous exercise lately? You may have pulled the internal sutures or aggravated them in some way that has caused them to turn red. Itchy is a sign of healing so it sounds like there is something going on there. Depending on how red it is at the moment you may want to check with your doctor. If there is some problem with the internal sutures there may be the start of an infection. Again, it’s hard to say. You may just want to call your doctor as a precaution. If you don’t feel comfortable calling your doctor just watch it closely for a few days and make sure it doesn’t get worse, if it does, call your doctor immediately.
Hi, reading through all these comments has been very insightful. My wife has what her doctor believes is scar tissue causing her intense pain. She has pain all the time, just varying amounts day to day and depending on the weather since her c-section 5 years ago. We have discussed her having it removed via surgery, but she doesn’t feel safe to have any surgery unless it is absolutely necessary. We will now check into the other options found here and see if they may work for her, I am very hopeful as they sound very good. She also has yeast infections very often, can this be caused by the adhesions? Just how safe is the surgery to remove the scar tissue? Her doctor says it is very safe and successful, is that true? It sounds it to me, but I am not the one who had the c-section and is afraid of being cut up and having things worse instead of better. Is there a chance of death during the procedure?
I work with someone who had it done and she says her pain went from a 10 down to a 1 on a scale of 1 to 10. She is also going to go in again and have more removed, since she put on weight she has been having more pain again. Is it normal for this to happen even if there is no weight gain, can all the scar tissue come back again in a short period of time or even over many more years? Thanks for your time, regards..
Hi,
I have had 2 c-sections my last was june 2005. For the past month I have had a pain and pressure under my c-section scar on the left side, i also havn’t been feeling well and get a very sharp pain when i urinate in this spot . A week ago i had a urine sample taken, this coming back normal and also an ultrasound also normal apart from inflamation and a little bit of fluid in a cavity, this is what my doc told me. These feelings are much like when i had my c-sections. Just wondering if i could have torn my internal scar or have an infection underneath.
Hi Steve, scar tissue is difficult because every surgery causes some scar tissue, even the surgery to remove scar tissue will cause more scar tissue, it’s just a side effect of having surgery. In the case of your wife it is possible that a surgery to remove the adhesions and scar tissue could relieve her pain because it’s removing the adhesions from the area causing the pain, however any new adhesions forming may or may not cause more problems, it’s just a chance you take. It’s a tough call
If you’re wife does opt for the surgery, ask your doctor about is a product called Seprafilm. This is an adhesion barrier that is used to prevent adhesions and the complications they can cause. I’m not sure if it works on patients who already have extensive adhesions. you’ll have to ask your doctor, but it may be worth mentioning to see if it can be used for your wife.
All surgery has an element of risk but your wife dying of the surgery to remove the adhesions is not likely, it is quite safe.
I’m not familiar with adhesions causing yeast infections. You might want to ask your doctor about that as well, but I haven’t run across that. Does your wife take any antibiotics? Those will often cause yeast infections.
There are some studies and procedures being done with massage therapy called ART (active release technique) to relive the pain caused by adhesions. My experience is that most doctors don’t feel it’s effective although there are patients that have found it of benefit. It may be something to check into further. Try checking with trained, licensed physical therapists that do ART and see what you can find out. I’d check that out first before making a final decision on surgery. I hope that helps, and best of luck to you both.
Hi Em, if you had an infection I would hope your doctor would have seen that, if he didn’t say you had an infection then you probably don’t but you could have pulled your internal stitches a little. If that’s the case you may have to give it a little time. Take it easy, keep an eye on how it feels.
Hi, I have had 3 c-sections in 3 years and after having a laparoscopy found out that my bladder has grown into my uterus. Dr said it didn’t just stick to the wall, but has folded into each other. I was told my options are to treat the pain (which I can’t long-term) or have my uterus removed. My husband and I want one more child – is it possible for me to get pregnant? What would be the risks involved for me and baby? I don’t want to ask my dr because I don’t want him to think I am crazy for wanting more- I am thankful for the 3 I have, but if it is possible we want more. Thanks for any input
If your bladder has grown into your uterus, getting pregnant could mean losing your baby or injuring your bladder. I don’t know the specifics of how your uterus, or your bladder is being affected but I would have to say getting pregnant would be risky, in fact damage to your bladder could mean serious life long complications.
I completely understand you wanting more children but should serious health issues arise, you have your husband and kids to think about. Don’t jeopardize their well being for more children …Blessings.
Thank you Elizabeth for the straight answer – we have talked about adoption maybe down the road.
hi there i have had 4 c-sections and i am now having my five one the dr has told me that last time it could quite long time to get to the baby as my organs were quite stuck to each other and now the dr has told me there would be alot more risk this time around and it would take a lot longer time to get the baby out
i do get pain in my lower tummy and my lower back alot more when i have been doing some activearound the house
any advice on what i can do to help myself
If you are experiencing problems from adhesions and scar tissue, this can be a tough one. There’s not much that you can do yourself although there are some specialists that believe adhesions can be relieved with massage therapy, it’s called ART (active release technique). It’s believed to help relieve the pain caused by adhesions. You may want to check with your doctor about it. Here’s some more information on it:
http://www.midmichiro.com/art.htm
That’s provided that adhesions are the problem but after having 4 c-sections it’s highly likely that adhesions are affecting you.
Hi, I am so glad I have found this page. I have had 2 c-sections my second one was May 2008, it took a long time for the doctor to take out my daughter, she never explained to me what happened just that I had a lot of scaring. She never went into detail about more scaring or risks even after I asked and told her we would have more children. Because of the lack of discussion and other reasons I changed doctors. I recently started having pains during intercourse at my c-section scar. My new gyno told me it probably was scar tissue and checked to make sure that my uterus was still moving around, and it was. She then got my charts from my last c-section and told me the reason my c-section took so long was because my uterus was attached to my abdominal wall, but my gyno at time of c-section applied something to help keep it from happening again. She did not seem to worried and told me not to let it keep me from having another child. I am assuming she is right since she was very thorough and gave me a lot of information. She also did not go into risks of it spreading to other organs. I am still having pains in my abdominal and am thinking about looking for a book to help massage them out Do I just look on amazon? Also should I go back and discuss these other risks I have read about or trust her that it may not have been that serious from our conversation? Thanks for your help.
Hello! I had a c-section in May of 2009 and recovered very quickly. About a month ago I started having abdominal pain in the area of my bladder and uterus. It is painful after I urinate and a dull ache the rest of the time. I saw a Urologist who did a cystoscopy that revealed nothing. Saw my OB who did an ultrasound and everything looked fine. All tests came back negative. If I press on my lower abdomen (bladder area) it is painful but not always. The pain also radiates to my back and groin. I am at a loss. I am in constant discomfort and don’t know where to turn next. My urologist offered to go in and look for adhesions but the idea of surgery is not appealing at all. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Chelsea, There are a number of books in Amazon that address this issue of scar tissue and adhesions, however I have not personally read any of them to make a confident recommendation. This is something I’m currently working on however. Doing personal massage is risky, instead I’d recommend researching licensed physical therapists that do adhesion massage.
Thanks – I will try a physical therapist first.
Hi my name is Laura, I am currently 36 weeks pregnant, i have had to previous c sections with no complications during the pregnancies but this time around i have gotten a lump on the left hand side of my scar, it has been quite painful over the last few days and i can’t have anything resting on it. Was just wondering if you could help me understand better what it may be. I went to the dr when my scar was starting to hurt but at that stage i didn’t have a lump, i am a little worried about it being an infection or something serious. Any advice on the matter would be greatly appreciated.
hi,
i have had 2 previous c-section 1st on sep 07 and 2nd march 09 i am now 8 weeks preganant and have been getting really sharp, pulling burning pains on the right side of my scars..when i sneeze or cough or even suddenly get up i get these pains and its the worst type of pain u can imagin, i have been to hospital and was told that from my previous scar i have a small opening or gap that should’v closed during healing….even though the DR didnt say this was why..he did say that as i get bigger this may rupture????…. the thing is that am in early stage of preganacy should i be feeling these pains now?…… DR says to take it easy and not strain myself but i have 2 small boys who are a full time job!…….also since i have been preganant i find it really hard to open my bowels i have gone 4- 5days without anything and when i do its painfull and my scar really hurts!…a not sure if it connected!
i know am at risk and so is baby but i have faith am jus worried that what am experiancing now will only get worse as i progress…………tnx for reading any advice much appericatied x
Laura, it’s impossible for me to know exactly but lumps around your scar can be common. Sometimes the tissue fills with fluid and over time it goes away. Being 36 weeks pregnant could be having an impact on the area causing fluid to build up. At your next checkup have your doctor look at it. It may be something he can drain on the spot. Don’t be too worried, these lumps are often something that can be easily taken care of. Let us know what your doctor says
Nas, I honestly don’t know what a rupture of this gap or opening in your previous scar means. Next time you meet with your doctor, see if he can’t clarify that for you. In other words, what kind of problems can it cause, and how serious is it.
Even though you are eight weeks pregnant there is a lot going on in your body that you can’t see from outward appearances so it is possible that even though it’s early you could be feeling the affects from this. All you can really do at this point is take your doctor’s advice and take it easy, even though we all know that’s hard when you have 2 small boys ;- ( just do the best you can.
I don’t know if your bowel situation is related or not but don’t strain, instead eat foods that will loosen you and if you’re open to it ask your doctor about taking a mild stool softener.
I had a cesarian in 2007, my son is now 3 and we want more children. We managed to concieve in august 2009, but I miscarried in September. It has now almost been a full year and I have not been able to concieve another baby. I am really concerned now, and I am wondering if maybe adhesions (from the c section and dnc b/c of miscarriage) are preventing implantation of a fetus. My doctor has me scheduled for a sonohysterogram on september 21. Will this test give me some answers?, and if it is adhesions will the surgery to remove them effect my fertility any more?
Rachel, Don’t be worried. I had the same thing happen to me, in fact almost exactly like you, maybe a year or so off. It was about 2 1/2 years since by first child, I got pregnant and miscarried having a D and C as well. After that I had trouble conceiving. When I became concerned I spoke to my doctor about it and he suggested I keep a journal of my ovulations which I did. I was vigilant about keeping track every month of my periods and when I was ovulating. I had to laugh, it was basically “Honey, you’ve gotta come home I’m ovulating!” We did that for about 6 months before it worked and I got pregnant, but it was not without consciously working at it.
Adhesions may or may not be the problem. I never knew if my difficulties were adhesions or not, at the time my doctor never mentioned adhesions, he said just “keep trying”.
I’m not sure if a sonohysterogram will diagnose ahesions, this test indicates abnormalities within the uterine cavity keeping you from getting pregnant but I’m not sure it will pick up adhesions, most tests don’t pick them up but I’m not familiar with this type of test and maybe it will provide answers, they’re making strides in this area every day.
The difficult thing about ahesions is removing them causes more adhesions which could make the situation even worse.
I would try what I did with keeping a journal and documenting your exact ovulation times, that means taking your temperature and pinpointing the exact time of ovulation. there are even tests you can buy to tell you this. There’s also a chart on this page that may help as well: http://www.ovulation-calculator.com/fertility-chart.htm
From all that I have read and my personal experience, I think you can overcome this with persistence and diligence. Give it a try and keep me posted as to what happens