Q for those who have had a C-Section

Jackie012007 wrote: I'm 8 days out from the surgery, and I'm having this like pins and needles sensation where my incision is. When I touch it, I can't feel it because the cut nerve endings but I noticed it feels really super hard, thick and lumpy underneath where the incision is. They took out my staples on Thursday and now I have steri-strips on it that they painted over with some AWFUL smelling yellow stuff... I had DF look at it but he couldn't really see anything because of the strips.

Does this all sound okay/normal for a healing c-section?? I've never had surgery before and I'm totally paranoid about infection and what not - my dr. never told me I would experience anything so now I'm paranoid!

HuskerMom replied: I had some of the same feelings after my c-section. It was very uncomfortable for a while, but I think that's normal. I wouldn't be worried about it getting infected as long as you keep it clean. As long as it's clean it should heal fine.

mckayleesmom replied: I would also say its normal....right down to the yellow crud. The pins and needles feelings are normal too....I still get them on my sides from my breast reduction surgery. The smell is normal too unfortunantly.....and there might be a clear liquid that comes out too....I use to stuff cloth diapers down my pants over the insision to absorb some of the liquid that drained.

Our Lil' Family replied: Sounds like your nerve endings are growing back. It's normal, I felt it too!

kristy-n-chad replied: Yes, sounds familiar!

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: I didn't have a C-section, but I've had several knee surgeries and a breast reduction. That pins and needles feeling is the nerves "waking up" and trying to make their connections again. I had it with all of my incisions. The hard lumpy stuff under your incision is the beginnings of scar tissue. If you can stand it, try massaging it, it will help to soften the scar. Sounds perfectly normal, Jackie. So glad you're back.

sparkys2boys replied: All very normal, I had a section and many of the same things, hope your feeling better soon

lisar replied: Well I had 2 c-sections and the feeling you are getting are very normal. I still dont have all the feeling back where the incision is. As for the yellow stuff I never had any of that. I would ask the dr just to be safe. You wouldnt want an infection.

punkeemunkee'smom replied: Yep the pins and needles are normal-I still get a few now and then in one spot that stayed numb. My scar was very thick at first as well but has since flattened and is almost invisible. I did get a hernia along the incision line so listen to what they said and don't pick up anything too heavy! Don't be too down-it will be nothing but a memory very soon!

BabyOwen427 replied: I would have the yellow smelly stuff checked out. I had smelly yellow drainage and it happened to be an infection. Which made for an uncomfortable next few weeks as I had a home health nurse come to my house once a day to clean it out and redress the wound. I was literally house bound because if I left and she came while I was gone my doc would call and make me come to her office to get it cleaned out. It sucked. Get the yellow stuff checked out to be sure.
But the rest of it sounds normal to me. Take it easy and don't lift things for a while. Your insides still have to heal too.

Jackie012007 replied: whew okay I feel better now. I should clarify - the yellow smelly stuff is what they used to seal the steri-strips to the incision, I realize when I went back and re-read what I wrote that it sounded like I was describing discharge or something - so far haven't had anything of that sort. But I feel better now, thanks all!!

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: I'd bet the yellow stuff was betadine. They use it alot as a disinfectant.

jacobsmama replied: I was going to clarify what you were trying to say because I thought that was what you meant. We use that to make the steri strips stick without pulling your skin (yeah right I know) but just let them fall off in the shower or as they do on their own and I haven't had c/s before but work with tons of patients who have and you sound like everything is going great! Congrats...

A&A'smommy replied: sounds pretty normal to me too!!! It's really no fun!!!