Why isn’t there help for recovering from a c-section??

Just a random thought: how come after having a c-section we are never referred to Physical Therapy? They just cut straight through however many layers of muscle, ligaments, tendons, etc, and our abdomen is forever weakened and changed if we don’t do anything about it. And most women don’t know where to start in their own. Not to mention dealing with a newborn at the same time. HOWEVER, I have MINOR knee surgery and they set me up for SIX WEEKS of 3 days/week of PT for THAT!
Am I alone in feeling this way?!

And when I asked my PT therapist about helping give me
A few pointers about my super weak core (I was always so strong in my core before kids—abs when I didn’t even try, but I had 2 c-sections in less than a year); he basically told me I’d need a separate referral and he wouldn’t want to take time away from my knee on something else (despite my weaker core giving me major lower back issues that seem to surpass the pain my knee gives me post-surgery)….🤷🏼‍♀️ I just feel like women’s care so easily gets pushed under the rug…

Sorry that’s my random thought and vent for the day…

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I asked my doctor about PT and he was more than happy to refer me. Pelvic Floor PTs are unfortunately far and few between. I waited 3 months to get in but it was 1000% worth it. It didn’t just help with my abs but with the incontinence issues we normally have after birth. Imagine my surprise when my PT said that it is NOT normal to have that issue and if we’re having it we should be referred to PT even if it is happening during pregnancy. 🤦🏼‍♀️ The PT I had said they’re starting to see more c-section and even vaginal birth mamas. Unfortunately with our healthcare system, if you are using insurance you have to see two separate PTs. It’s the stupidest thing in the world if you ask me.

I hope this helps. I’m sorry you have to go through this frustrating process.

Totally agree!

Although it may not be an automatic referral following the procedure it is still something you can request.

Being honest I feel like there is not enough post checks with C-Sections. I know people can say you can bring up issues but a lot of the times it is a fight to get an appointment with your GP or midwife. I think I posted quite a while ago if people think they should offer an MRI or CAT scan to make sure you are healing well after a csection because even when I had my post natal checks they didn't even check my incision they only tried to force birth control on ne

oh my god Same. The 6 week check was pointless. Didn’t ask to see. Didn’t want to see. Just asked if I was breast feeding and about contraception!
Waste of time.

no way!? That’s awful.

I even told my GP some of the issues I had with numbness and not being able to sleep on my right side etc. she just told me her personal experience and said she didn’t really know what the recovery was supposed to be like! Not helpful.

in our community

Oh my God, oh my God I hope this is not true!!!! I’m kind of scared

I’ve been throwing up and taking a shit all night!!! I just hope that it’s not what I think it is

Small head reported following 20 week scan

Has anyone else had it flagged that their baby is in the bottom 5th percentile for head size?

They said everything was fine whilst we were in the scan and then I got a phone call the next day saying that it’s on the small side and we’re being referred to a paediatric specialist at St George’s. Has anyone else had this and how did things go??

Would you bring 9 week old to a family party of 35+ people?

These are also people who will want to pass the baby around and get a turn to hold him. He just got his 2 month shots two days ago

Exercise 6 weeks after c section

What movement did people start to introduce? I won’t do anything too vigorous until I’ve seen the pelvic physio as I don’t want to compromise anything that may have been extremely weakened through pregnancy! But just wondering what types of classes/movement people started off with?

It’s my birthday tomorrow.

Ok so I am going to be 35 years young. I can’t believe how much this life has thrown at me but it’s okay I’m a survivor. I am truly blessed to be alive. 🥳🧁🎂 The only downside is I won’t be celebrating my birthday because my man can’t take me out. So many emotions right now.

Induction experience

I just wanted to share my experience with being induced as I wasn’t sure what to expect and thought it may help others.

I opted for the foley balloon which was inserted at 8am Saturday morning, I had to stay in hospital due to hypertension and protein urine however usually you can just go home once this has been done. The insertion of the balloon was not painful, was slightly uncomfortable as there was slight pressure. I actually found having the cervix checked prior to be worse (again not painful at this point just uncomfortable) The balloon had little effect and after having it removed I was still only 1cm. Removal also was pain free and hardly even noticeable.

I then had my first dose of the gel and definitely noticed a difference, I started experiencing period like cramps almost immediately however they were light and manageable. After 6 hours I had another cervix check and although my cervix was soft it was still only 1cm and was only open at the front. I had another dose of the gel and felt an increase in pressure and more intense cramping where I now required pain relief (codeine). After another 6 hours I had another cervix check and I had now dilated to 2-3cm however was still quite difficult to get all the way through so a third gel was recommended which I agreed to.

Almost immediately I noticed the difference and was in considerable pain, I had paracetamol and codeine however the contractions had now become intense and a lot closer together (around 3 minutes apart). After a couple of hours I had my last cervix check and was 4cm and taken down to the Labour ward to have my waters broken and an epidural.

I had been in my room for approx 20minutes when my waters broke by themselves and I was now 10cm and actively pushing…. There was no time for the epidural and my beautiful girl arrived into the world within 2 minutes of pushing.

All in all I would say the cramps/contractions were manageable up until the third gel where it became pretty unbearable however it was for a very short time a gas and air helped take the edge off. The worst part about any of it was actually the later cervix checks where after stimulating the cervix my contractions were at their most painful.

If I had to be induced again I would skip the balloon and opt for the gels immediately as thy had a quicker effect and I would have been out a lot sooner if I had done this to begin with.

One more thing, I’ve never believed when people say “you forget the pain once they’re here” but I can honestly say this is true. It’s been 4 days and I would do it all again in a heartbeat.