C section numbness/pins&needles?

mltarrio · January 2016

I searched the boards and I couldn't find anything, but forgive me if this is ground we have already covered.

I had an unplanned c-section 10 days ago, and I have a whole section of my belly that alternates between numb and a kind of pins & needles feeling. It hurts in the way that your foot hurts when it falls asleep. Any of you ladies have a c-section and have this? Did the feeling ever come back? How long did it take? I have my post-partum appointment with my midwife in two weeks, but I am just curious if anyone here has any experience with this?

rockinmathchic · January 2016

This is a very common occurrence with c sections. Since they sometimes cut through nerves it can cause pins and needles and some numbness. Some of it will go away with time but it could also be permanent. Likely it will get better but not completely go away. This was my second c section and 95% went away the first time and I have some numbness this time around too.

KatC129 · January 2016

This happened to me too I had an emergency c-section on December 17th. It felt like that too. It even seemed like everything from my navel down to my pubic area was numb. Even today I still have numbness right below my navel to the top of my pubic area. As PP said, it's pretty common. No telling if feeling will ever return or not though.

mhwood · January 2016

I had my first csection in 1996, and I still had some numbness when I got pregnant in 2013.

Gingermom15 · January 2016

all the numbness and tingling kind of surprised me, but it's totally normal and according to my OB it may never fully go away (awesome right?). Now 7 weeks PP and it's still numb but not tingling like a dead foot and it is no longer uncomfortable to wear normal clothes.
A little tip, if you have a compression girdle take full advantage and wear it every day. Especially the first few times you attempt to wear normal pants or underwear.

mltarrio · January 2016

Thanks for your replies ladies. It makes me feel better to know that this is a common experience.

@sarahgn I do have a compression garment, but I haven't worn it much. I will try that. Thanks for the tip!

BP1979 · January 2016

Yup, me too. I'm 6 weeks PP, and tingling is gone but still numb. I asked dr at my appt this week and she said it's totally normal.

Court11152325 · January 2016

I don't have numbness so much as a really strange feeling on my skin about 2 inches above the incision. I also get twinges and a quick burning feeling at my incision. I've read those can last for years, if not permanently. Yay!!!???

mltarrio · January 2016

Oh I get the incision burn so bad sometimes! I am hoping it will fade, because it happens every time I roll over in bed. I have to keep reminding myself that I had surgery two weeks ago - of course it's not totally healed yet!

MegStark · January 2016

I've had the same feeling after both c sections (Dec 15th and one in Oct 2013). Most all feeling came back after my first. My OB said the sooner I could engage the muscles, the better off i'd be. Obviously don't overdo it, but I start with planks for as long as I'm comfortable holding them. It helps a ton.