C-section ?

[maybaby18]

I have a question about your c-section insision. Did your stomach skin kind of hang over it in the middle? I don't know if this is normal or not. And will it go away as I excersize?

[velcromom]

Mine didn't hang over the incision but I'm petite, don't know if maybe that helps - I still have a little pooch above it, just not enough to hang.

Congrats on your little one! How is your recovery going?

[snazzy_mom]

Mine isn't the prettiest thing. My scar is crooked and there is a little bit that hands over, but only a little bit.

[AnditheBee]

Well, I do have an overhang, but I figured this was more related to my age (35) and the fact that my belly skin got massively stretched this time around (2nd pg). I didn't have an overhang the first time. I'm sure it's normal for some women, and it is likely to improve with time and exercise. I've found that using serious amounts of nurient-containing lotion on my belly skin has helped it firm up a little bit, too.

[orangefoot]

This site is linked to the UK Homebirth site and has photos of a number of cs scars and how they have healed. This might give you an idea of what is in the range of normal.

http://www.caesarean.org.uk/

Click on caesarean scar pictures on the left

[mirlee]

I have an overhang. My scar is practically imperceivable. I gained 65 or so pounds, so that is why I think I have it. it doesn't matter how much weight I lose, I think I will always have it.

[egoldber]

I didn't have one the first time, but I did the second time. I don't know if is because I was older (33 the first time, 36 the second time) or what. I gained 40 pounds the second time vs 29 the first time. But I started at a MUCH lower weight the second time and was in far better shape. I think that sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn't. I did tons of ab work to try and get rid of it, but it didn't help a whole lot, although after I lost the pregnancy weight, it did help.

[Llyra]

My overhang lasted about a year, and then kinda slowly went away. I think that as I lost the weight and the muscles in my belly got back into condition, that's what made it go away. It's still kind indented a bit, but that's it.

[AnditheBee]

Originally Posted by orangefoot

This site is linked to the UK Homebirth site and has photos of a number of cs scars and how they have healed. This might give you an idea of what is in the range of normal.

http://www.caesarean.org.uk/

Click on caesarean scar pictures on the left

This link doesn't work for me..."forbidden"?

[maxmama]

Ah, the pannus!

I have a short of "shelf", not technically a pannus, but as my skin gets saggier it's morphing in to the pannus. My mom, who had two vaginal births, also has one, so I htink it's more related to who you are than the kind of birth,

[maybaby18]

Originally Posted by velcromom

Mine didn't hang over the incision but I'm petite, don't know if maybe that helps - I still have a little pooch above it, just not enough to hang.

Congrats on your little one! How is your recovery going?

Well I had an infection in the incision, then the doctor checked it two days later and said that he doesn't have to re open it up. I don't know if it's cramps or what but right above the incision I really hurt! Everyday it gets worse, and my lower back is hurting too. Why I asked if the over hang was normal cause I was worried that because it was still there I thought it still might be an infection. Any ideas?? Did any of you get really horried cramps before you're first period??

[velcromom]

Hm, no I didn't get bad cramps w/ my first period but it didn't happen til 22 months so my scar was fine by then... I know my back hurt like crazy - sore, stiff, crampy, even spasms - for a long time afterward due to the loss of abdominal support.

If you have pain near your incision that's getting worse not better, that is cause for concern... I know I still needed serious pain management at a month pp, and there was nothing "wrong" I just had a rough recovery. I'd probably still at least call the nurse hotline and question them about it, I actually did go back to see the dr. a few weeks pp for a fistula on the incision line (OW!) but it had drained by the time I saw the dr and there was nothing to be done about it. Be the squeaky wheel, if you are uncomfortable keep asking til you get an answer that is satisfactory!

[egoldber]

With pain near the incision and in the lower back, I would call your doctor. That definitely could be an infection.

[maybaby18]

Won't he have to open me up if there's an infection?? There's like this pimple on my incision, only it's not a pimple, it's more like a tiny bubble.

[velcromom]

I don't know what the protocol for infection at the incision site is, but I hope you get a chance to call. Could be infection, could be a fistula, but if it's getting worse or even just not improving I would definitely call - best to catch any problem early. If they did have to open up the wound for some reason, you of course have the right to insist on pain medication administered before the procedure.

My incision problem looked like a bubble too, a bump about the size of a marble and it hurt like he## right there. It was just a built-up pocket of fluid. It wasn't a health problem type thing, only a fairly harmless pain thing and it resolved itself without the dr doing anything.

Hope your troubles are as easy to solve!