Scar/Adhesion Pain in late pregnancy and labor?

[frenchie03]

I am getting lots of sharp pain around my incision site, which happens to be where the baby's head is. Her head is more on the right side which is the side of my scar that healed the slowest and caused me the most pain. I can only imagine what I'm feeling is adhesion tightness in that area when her head presses against them. But, I'm totally worried about it and hoping it's NOT pain that can be linked to a scar rupturing in labor. I'm 38 weeks and I have to say I'm more afraid of enduring this adhesion pain, or worse, that the adhesions will make it harder for the baby to pass into my pelvis, than all of labor and delivery put together. Does anyone have any experience with this? Can you allay my fears that this pain has anything to do with the possibility of a rupture?

[MsBlack]

It's not so uncommon for mamas with scars to feel some pain during pregnancy--usually periodically in keeping with baby's growth spurts, or mostly at the end when baby is at the largest. Most often, it's as you describe--pressure on the scar, more stretching than scar tissue usually has to (especially given the location--not an area that is normally stretched much during daily movement), sometimes the breaking of adhesions. I can't promise you anything--only say that most vbacs do experience this to some degree/amount, and most often it's normal, a non-issue. You might benefit by daily massage of the area--rub in some nice oil or salve, gently but as firmly as feels right to you. And practice breathing deeply into your belly, trying to relax your abs and pelvic floor as much as possible. This will help you to feel better generally (help dissipate anxiety) as well as possibly ease that scar pain some.

[corban's mum]

y'know what MsBlack? you're lovely. just wanted to point that out lol, i always see you passing on support and caring words to other mamas (myself included) and just felt that i should give you a hi five!

as for the pains... im also 38 weeks preggo with a vbac-to-be and i get pains (obviously i cant say if it's the same as yours) where her head is, it feels like tough knotted bands of tightness are holding her head and it leaves me screaming if a MW tries to examine me, but it's only when she's in a certain position and her head isn't fitting in quite right if that makes sense. i spent time swimming, having warm baths and stretching out, for a few days it was awful and i just wanted to shove her head back up, but the stretching and relaxing seems to have worked, her head is fixed and engaged now and ive not had anymore pain, i think it may have just been my adhesions breaking down, i too was worried that she wouldnt fit out but yeah, seems that you can just work with ur LO to help them find the best fit and stretch it all out.

of course if u get any shoulder-tip pains or are generally worried that you may be tearing etc go and get checked out asap.

[MsBlack]

Why thank you, Corban's mum... I appreciate hearing that

Frenchie03...how's it going now?

[frenchie03]

Thanks everyone! I got a lot of feedback from, of all places, the vbac board on babycenter, and it sounds like it's really common to have some adhesion pain when the baby's head is positioned in just the "right" spot. It seems to pass as soon as the head is low enough or changes position. That is certainly true for my pain. This kiddo is still cooking and goes from engaged to floating and back again every other day. I'm getting very anxious but oh so NERVOUS to get this vbac show on the road!! I'm hoping to go earlier than the first time which happened at 41 weeks exactly. BTW, the due date is Sept. 30th this time around.

[MsBlack]

Nice update!

You are so close....all the best for a happy, healthy vbac

[corban's mum]

ooh ooh im due 3rd october! wahey for VBAC

[Aries1985]

I'm having this, too. Only on one side though and it was the side that hurt more when I originally had the c-section. It just started this week (37 weeks), so I'm hoping it will go away as baby moves lower or is there because she's already low.

[frenchie03]

Aries: Sounds exactly like what I felt. I can only report that now, at 40 weeks, I don't feel it anymore. Not sure if baby rotated or descended or what but that pain isn't there! And it was the same for me, only on the side that took longer to heal and caused me more pain after my c/s.