Sharp pains after C-Section
Dear Dr Mitchell,
I gave birth via Caesarean section and since then I’ve had a sharp pain in my stomach. When I went to see the doctor after six weeks the wound had healed and on the scan there were no anomalies. I was given painkillers. The pain is inside, around my belly button area, and when the doctor was touching me he kept saying that it’s my womb. The pain that I feel is unbearable. Please advise.
The lower abdominal pain that you experience may be due to several factors. These include an umbilical hernia, adhesions as a result of the Caesarean section, endometriosis, adenomyosis, or a problem with your bowel. Uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts can also cause pelvic pain of this nature but the fact that the ultrasound was normal somewhat rules these out as possible underlying causes.
The abdominal pain seems to be severe and should be investigated by doing a detailed ultrasound of the abdomen and pelvis followed by a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis if the ultrasound does not determine the underlying cause of the problem.
Endometriosis can sometimes go undetected on an ultrasound and a CT scan. If no abnormality is found on either the CT scan or the ultrasound, then a diagnostic laparoscopy should be done. This is a minor outpatient procedure that allows the entire abdomen and pelvis to be visualised by making a small incision at the umbilicus followed by the introduction of an instrument called a laparoscope to look inside the abdomen and directly visualise the internal organs to determine the nature of the problem.
Adhesions and endometriosis can be treated at the time of laparoscopy if this is the underlying problem.
Consult your gynaecologist who will advise you further.
Best regards.
Dr Sharmaine Mitchell is an obstetrician and gynaecologist. Send questions via e-mail to allwoman@jamaicaobserver.com; write to All Woman, 40-42 1/2 Beechwood Ave, Kingston 5; or fax to 968-2025. All responses are published. Dr Mitchell cannot provide personal responses.
DISCLAIMER:
The contents of this article are for informational purposes only, and must not be relied upon as an alternative to medical advice or treatment from your own doctor.
