Sharp Stabbing Pain on the Right Side After C-Section
C-sections are extremely common nowadays, but unfortunately, they usually come with a long recovery time and some rather uncomfortable side effects!
Perhaps one of the worst side effects of a C-section is a sharp, stabbing pain on the right side.
Many times, you’ll hear women say it has similar symptoms to menstrual cramps or ovarian cysts.
In this article:
- Is Right Side Pain After A C-Section Normal?
- Causes of sharp stabbing pain on the right side after C-section
- Managing Sharp Stabbing Pain on the Right side After C-Section
- Final Thoughts
How Painful is the Right Side Pain After A C-Section?
The first few days after a cesarean (C-section) are usually the most painful and uncomfortable; the incision may be tender and swollen and you may experience a sharp pain in your abdomen, lower back or pelvis, as well as other rather unpleasant symptoms.
The majority of women who have had an abdominal incision will experience some degree of pain on their right side.
The amount of pain felt on the right side will vary from woman to woman: some women will feel significantly more pain on their right side than they did on their left, while other women will have similar levels of discomfort on both sides.
The type of pain felt also varies from woman to woman. For some, it may feel like a dull ache. For others, it may feel like a stabbing, shooting, burning or searing pain.
The latter type of pain is also known as nerve pain, caused by nerve damage.
Is Right Side Pain After A C-Section Normal?
The sharp stabbing pain on the right-hand side following a c-section might be normal depending on the intensity, duration and type of pain.
The types of pain can be separated into two categories: aches and pains and sharp pains.
The key to determining which type of pain you are experiencing is by asking yourself if the pain stays in one location or if it radiates.
If the pain feels like a dull ache or just a general ache and it doesn’t spread, then it’s likely not serious.
If the pain is sharp and has started to radiate, then it could be a sign that your incision is not healing well and that you may have developed an infection.
You should consult with your healthcare provider if you are experiencing radiating pain.
If it has been several months and you are experiencing chronic pain after your c-section you are not alone. A 2016 study shows that at the number of women experiencing chronic pain from their C-section 3, 6 and 12 months after cesarean section was 18.3 %, 11.3 % and 6.8 %, respectively.
Causes of sharp stabbing pain on the right side after C-section
Incisional Hernia
“There are several possible causes for sharp stabbing pain on the right side after a c-section. The most common cause is an incisional hernia, which occurs when part of the intestine protrudes through the abdominal wall near the site of an incision.” says Naresh Kana, MD.
Incisional hernias occur when a bulge forms between the abdominal wall and muscle after childbirth. This happens when there is a tear in the abdominal wall that allows abdominal contents to bulge through it.
The incisional hernia will usually occur on both sides at the same time, although sometimes only one side will be affected.
When you have multiple children, it is possible to develop a weak point in your abdominal muscles which can make them more prone to tears.
Injury to the Ilioinguinal Nerve
“The ilioinguinal nerve runs along your lower abdomen and groin area and can be damaged during a c-section if not properly handled by medical personnel during surgery” says Kana, MD.
The ilioinguinal nerve provides sensation to your groin and lower abdomen. If you are experiencing superficial pain around the edges of the scar, then the Ilioinguinal nerve may have been affected.
If this nerve was affected when a C-Section was carried out, you may also experience sharp abdominal pain on the right-hand side, following a c-section.
Abdominal Adhesions
Abdominal adhesions are thick fibres of tissue that attach the tissues of one part of the abdomen to another.
If you have an abdominal operation, such as a C-section, your body can create adhesions near the scar from surgery. These adhesions can cause sharp stabbing pain on the right side after C-section.
Muscle Strain
The abdominal wall muscles are often strained during a C-section, especially if you have been pushing for a vaginal delivery. This can lead to cramping in the abdomen and sharp pain around the incision site.
A muscle strain can be caused by a sudden increase in activity, such as when you run or lift weights. The injury may also occur during pregnancy, childbirth and labour. Muscle strains usually go away within a few weeks.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition in which the endometrium- the layer of tissue that lines the uterus- develops outside of the uterus.
Endometriosis can cause symptoms such as sharp stabbing pain, abnormal bleeding between periods and pain during sex, because of these symptoms, living with endometriosis can be difficult.
In some cases, endometriosis may be caused by genetic factors or by the rupturing of blood vessels during delivery.
If your doctor suspects that this is the case, he or she will likely order tests to confirm this diagnosis and ensure that there isn’t another cause for your symptoms.
Open Wound
If you’re experiencing sharp stabbing pain on the right side after a C-section, it could be from a wound that wasn’t closed properly.
The incision itself should not cause pain unless it is open or irritated.
Symptoms that your C-section incision is open include painful urination, vaginal bleeding, severe abdominal pain, a fever, low blood pressure and dizziness.
If you believe that your c-section incision may have reopened, you should visit the hospital as soon as possible.
Managing Sharp Stabbing Pain on the Right side After C-Section
Sharp stabbing pains following a C-section can make it difficult to complete your usual daily activities- especially since you are likely experiencing other symptoms too, such as contractions, breast tenderness and even postpartum depression.
Thankfully, there are some steps you can take to help you manage the right-side pain that comes with a C-section.
1) Avoid Heavy Lifting
Avoid heavy lifting, especially immediately after the operation.
Heavy lifting can put pressure on the incision, causing pain and swelling.
It is advised to avoid any heavy lifting until after your cesarean section has recovered, especially if you are experiencing sharp stabbing pain on the right-hand side following c-section surgery.
2) Get Active
“Physical therapy exercises prescribed by a physical therapist may help improve the range of motion while strengthening weakened muscles that may have been affected by surgical trauma,” says Kana, MD.
Simple physical activity like moving can reduce the sharp stabbing pain or pulling of the incision.
3) Wear Loose, Comfortable Clothing
Wear loose-fitting clothing around the stomach area so that it does not rub against the incision during normal daily activities.
This can help you to avoid the painful sensations that come with clothes rubbing against the incision site.
4) Hold the Incision Site When Laughing or Coughing
Hold the incision part when laughing or coughing to prevent the incision site from opening.
5) See a Health Care Professional
If you have sharp stabbing pain on the right side after your C-section, it’s likely that your incision is sticking out or bleeding.
Surgery may be necessary to remove the scar tissue in or close the wound.
In addition to surgery, medication can also help relieve your pain.
Some medications used to treat postpartum pain include: ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB), acetaminophen (Tylenol).
As a general rule, Kana, MD, says “It’s important to see a doctor if you experience any type of persistent pain following a c-section so that they can determine what’s causing it and provide appropriate treatment recommendations. “.
Final Thoughts
Finally, if you are still experiencing sharp stabbing pain on the right-hand side after following the steps above, you should consult your doctor.
Sharp pain in this case can be caused by several things and the doctor will figure out exactly what is going on and can give you advice on how to proceed.
Sources
Mothersandmore.org, Sharp Stabbing Pain in Right Side After C-Section, June 2023
parentalqueries.com, Sharp Stabbing Pain on Right Side After C-section – Cause & Treatment, August 2023
myhealthgeek.com, Sharp Stabbing on the Right Side After C-Section: Causes and Treatment Options, April 2023