Post C-section Numbness

After my first C-section I did not have any numbness. After my second almost 3 yrs ago I still have numbness from above the scar to about 2 inches up on the left side and about 1 inch up on the right. I had a post-op infection on the left side and had to pack it for a few months. I asked my doctor if I would ever get sensation back. She didn't think so.

Hello,
I have had two c-sections...4 1/2 years apart and I never really regained the correct feelings in the skin around my incision. I now have a 5 1/2 year old and a 16 month old. It feels strange when I rub my hand over my belly too because I can't feel it on my stomach, but I can feel it on my hand. It's not over a large area...but I still have numbness. Hope this helps.

I have some loss of feeling and my doctor said that any loss or numbness after a few months is permanent. Not harmful to you just strange?! :)

L. - I had a c-section 3 1/2 years ago and am still numb around my scar (above and below as well). I just assume I will be numb there forever, oh well.
L.

Hey L.!
I have a 5 year old and a 2 year and had c-sections with both. I experienced the same thing that you are. My last c-section was in November of 2006 and I am still a little numb right on top of the incision. I'm not sure that will ever go away though. Around the scar got better after a little over a year. If it helps at all, my husband had a major back surgery when he was 14 (he is now 35). The scar goes all the way from between his shoulder blades to the small of his back. He still has no feeling on the scar and little feeling around it. I'm thinking that's just how scars from surgery are. It's nothing to worry about though. It won't create complications later in life. I hope this helps! If you're really concerned, I would talk to your doc.

I've had 2 C-sections and my oldest will be 8 this summer. I still have no feeling over my scar.

i have had 4 c-sections and with each one it took a little longer but it will be fine. Nothing to worry about!!!

L.-

I have had 3 c-sections, lucky me :).

It takes longer for sensation to return with each surgery. And every person is different; there are so many facors involved from size of incision,size of baby,age of mother, to skill of the surgeon. It is likely that you will have some small areas of numbness never go away.It is quite a freaky feeling, but as the areas arte small you get used to it.

I've had 2 c-sections and a hysterectomy. I had numbness above and below the scar after the 2nd section. My doctor "cleaned up" the scar tissue with the hysterectomy. That was 6 years ago and I have no numbness now. It may or may not be permanent but in any case you'll probably get used to it.

I had mine about 16 months ago, and I am still numb above and below my scar. It is normal, my doctor also told me that it would take 2 years to heal all the way.

My scar is numb....still after 3 years. It's normal.

Hi L.,
I have had 3 c-section like surgeries (1 actual c-section) and unfortunately, I was told that over time some of the nerves just don't connect properly again. My first surgery was my senior year of high school and like you, the feeling came back fairly soon after healing. The second was my son in 2002 and I was still numb in 2007 when I had the 3rd surgery. Today...I still have the funny sensation around the scar area. Luckily, it does seem to be pretty close into the scar zone instead of the majority of my stomach. It took about a year for the area between my belly button and the scar to get it's feeling back completely though. Hang in there...it is weird...but it gets better with time. Since it hasn't been very long since my last surgery I am not sure if it will come back completely, I try to hope that "time will heal everything."
L.

Yes! I have this as well and my c-section was 2.5 years ago. It drives me crazy! I am having another c-section this May so I don't think my numbness will go away anytime soon.

Hi there. Unfortunately this is normal. I think you were very lucky to have sensation back after the first one. : ) The feeling may never go away.
I feel somewhat numb, I've had one c-section (1 child so far), over 2 years ago. A few friends that seem to be in the same boat, and a family friend that had a c-section 30 years ago, and she has been numb ever since.

Hi, L.!

I had to write since we sound so similar! I also wanted to have natural births with my children, but ended up having two C-sections. I also have two boys, age almost 1 and 3 1/2! I also stay at home most of the time, except for teaching on Saturday mornings at this time.

My first C-section was horrible and hurt for about six months before it started feeling better. It was also numb near the scar for over a year. With my second one, however, it healed so quickly and really only itches a bit once in awhile. Some of the skin still seems sensitive on and around the scar and the nerves never came back right at the scar, but I think that is normal.

Sometimes it takes longer to heal from such a big surgery. I'm sure if you hang in there, it will happen. Have you talked with your doctor about it? Does it feel like a lot of the skin is "sleeping"?

Good luck to you. Feel free to email me any time just for fun!

Smiles,

S. G.
Bothell, WA

I know what you mean. I had two C-sections and after the first one I lost all feeling in one section of my lower abdomen. I never got it back. Luckily, it isn't any worse with this last c-section though. Best wishes.

My youngest turns 2 on Monday. I've still got a few numb spots. I figure it's just "the way it is".

L., I've had 3 C-sections (one w/ twins). I know exactly what you are talking about. There are so many variables that cause that "sleeping skin" feeling, but it increased with each operation. The scar tissue increases and the nerves don't work right (sometimes they even fire off little shocks!). I recently had another abdominal surgery and used a perscription scar solution and massage on the incision area--Wow! What a difference. I wish someone had told me to do that after my C-sections.

At my doctor's suggestion, I went to a professional massage therapist 3 or 4 times and she worked on the incision area (after it healed). She showed me how to rub the scar to keep it soft and help regenerate the nerves. It worked SO well, plus there was the added benefit of having a relaxing massage (which can be the best medicine for a mommy). It seemed extravigant at the time, but was the best money I've ever spent.

The C-section area still has places that have never "come back" but I still get a massage whenever I can (I put it on my "gift wish list" and sometimes I go to the school of massage therapy because it's not too expensive). Some therapists let you buy multiple massages for a discounted price. I'd call and ask if they work on surgery scars and if they have a discounted price.

L.,
I don't think the feeling will come back this time...I have had 3 c-sections, the last one 10 years ago and it still feels like my skin is sleeping around the scar. I think there may be too much scar tissue or something.

You can take homeopathic Staphysagria 2 times a day for 3 days if the surgery was within the last month. Alternate with Arnica (or just do this one if the surgery was longer ago) for the same dosage.
You probably have some scar tissue there from the first one and more going to form, so you can take Silica 6X once a day for a month or two to help that.
Liz