Numbness After C-section

Updated on April 19, 2008
N.G. asks from Lawrenceburg, IN
37 answers

Hey Moms,
I have recently had a baby a little over 1 month ago. I had to have a emergency C-Section. I have been told by several women that they are numb. Some of them have had there children years ago. However, I am not numb at all. Do you think this is normal or something I should be concerned about? Thanks for all your answers.

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L.D.

answers from Columbus on

I also had an emergency c-section but 20 months later, I have never felt any numbing. I would think that's a good thing!

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H.S.

answers from Cleveland on

I had an emergency c-section almost 2 years ago, and wish that i wasn't numb! Trust me, it's not a problem. The numbness is because the c-section causes nerve damage.

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T.P.

answers from Canton on

Ha! Finally!!! Someone else with my c-section experience! I, too, had an emergency c-section. I healed very nicely but the area isn't numb. In fact, 2 years after my c-section now, I still get pain there, if scratched. So I have to scratch very lightly. No one else I know has experienced this! My husband has 2 large scars from a botched appendectomy when he was 13, and his scars are both numb, he can scratch them fine, with no pain, or anything. He always tells me I'm weird, haha.

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R.T.

answers from Cincinnati on

N.,
Don't worry. If you're not numb there great for you!! Eveyone is different, depends on how many nerves were involved, that's all.
Congrats on the baby!!
R.

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L.G.

answers from Cleveland on

hey i would of been happy not to be numb...as long as it doesnt hurt i wouldn't worry. i would think that they sewed everything back up right. my left side doesnt move when i do situps so i think my muscles werent sewed up right.....maybe it will take time for both sides to work???? lee ann

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N.J.

answers from Cleveland on

I think you are fine. I remember being a bit numb at the site for months afterwords, but my son is now 2 and I am no longer numb. Maybe ask your ob if you are concerned, but it just sounds like you are lucky :)

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S.H.

answers from Columbus on

I have had two c-sections, one 4 years ago and one almost 2 years ago, I'm not sure that I was ever numb. I hope that helps.

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J.W.

answers from Cincinnati on

Hi N.,

I had an emergency c-section last July and I still have some numbness above the scar. My MD told me this was normal as nerves are cut when they do the surgery. Not sure if I'll ever get the feeling back but I don't ever really notice it now.

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K.T.

answers from Columbus on

Congrats on your new baby! I would say numbness is NOT normal, and if you're feeling fine than just be happy with it. I've had 2 c-sections and never experienced any numbness once I got over the initial recovery.

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M.C.

answers from Indianapolis on

I had a c- section 4 years ago and I am still numb in some areas. It is normal sometimes the feeling comes back some times it does not. It all depends on the person. I know that after 4 years I do not even notice it any more. Good luck and Congrats!!

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C.P.

answers from Indianapolis on

I also had a C-Section and was numb for quite a while after. Why are you concerned because you are not. That is a good thing. The doctor must not have cut any nerves on the way in.

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S.P.

answers from Cleveland on

Nope, nothing to worry about! I had it but didn't really notice it till I started trying to get my stomach back in shape. No big deal if you ask me.

S.

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A.M.

answers from Columbus on

N.,

I had a C-section 18 months ago with my son. I had numbness obviously right afterwards but after a couple weeks it went away completely and I have none now. It's nothing to be concerned about.

-A. M

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L.G.

answers from Cleveland on

I had my c-section in October 2006. I do have some numbness around my incision scar. It's nothing to worry about. It just means some of my nerves were affected by the trauma of a c-section. I believe this is completely normal...and if you don't have any numbness...that's completely normal. Everyone is different. Don't worry about it :-)

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M.T.

answers from Cleveland on

I had an ER c-section 13 months ago. I never experienced any numbness -- i only felt a little tightness/pulling - like I thought I pulled my stitches out (which the visiting nurse assured me was next to impossible!). I don't think that is unusual - but maybe call your dr. if you are worried now, or mention it at your 6-week appt. Good luck -- enjoy you baby!

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D.Z.

answers from Dayton on

Hi,
I think most likely, you are numb, you just don't realize it. I'm only numb right around where the incision was made. I can't say that I remember actually realizing I was numb right there until after I was completely healed. Anytime you are cut into, you have a very good chance of have numbness around the incision. It's almost as if the area is 'asleep'. But while I was still healing from both c-sections, I can't say that I really felt a specific numbness because I was sore. Once you are healed, I'd bet, that you will probably be able to recognize it. It's nothing to worry about though. It hasn't affected me in any negative way.

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J.N.

answers from Evansville on

I do have numbness. No one had ever told me about that until after my c-section. I kept telling the nurses at the hospital that my incision only hurt on the sides and it wasn't until after I got home that I realized that I was truly numb and that it wasn't going away. Then I had other people tell me that they felt the same. So, if you don't have that numbness in the middle consider yourself lucky because it is a strange feeling. I guess I'm getting used to it now - my baby is 3 1/2 months old but it seemed so strange at first.

J.

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K.B.

answers from Toledo on

Hi N.

I also had a c section last June and while I have a little sensitivity over my scar I wouldn't say it is a numb feeling. So I wouldn't worry about it.

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J.F.

answers from Toledo on

I have had 2 C Sections, one emergency and one planned. Since the first one, I have had a sort of "numbness." It is kind of a wierd feeling. About 2 inches above and below my incision, there is little superficial feeling. Now if I push or dig (like to itch), then I have a slight sensation. It is really strange to feel the itch of my uterine incision healing, and the itch of the skin incision as well. When I scratch it, I get no relief. I asked my Dr. about it after my first one was born (7 yrs ago) and she said it is because the nerves are cut during the surgery, and I may never have feeling there again. It really is no big deal.

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C.B.

answers from Indianapolis on

N.,

Congrats. I had an emergency C-section almost 5 years ago and never experienced any numbness. It is perfectly normal to not be numb what so ever. Enjoy your new little one

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C.M.

answers from Columbus on

How do you define numb? I also had an emergency section.

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L.H.

answers from Cleveland on

Hi N. :)

I also had a C-section and like you, have no numbness. It's actually the best scar I could ever have!

Unless you have major discomfort, I wouldn't be concerned.

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D.E.

answers from Dayton on

N.,
I would not worry at all, consider yourself fortunate. I have had 4 C-sections, and was not numb afterward anywhere until after the very last one and now I do have an area just above the scarthat is numb. It's not really a big deal though, just a mite annoying. Congradulations on your new daughter, love the name, Dahlila!!
Blessings,
D.

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J.J.

answers from Columbus on

I would not be concerned at all. I also had a c-section and never experienced any numbness. If you are still concerned, I would suggest calling the doctor's office and asking the nurse.

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M.G.

answers from Toledo on

N.: Hello there to you - and God bless you for going through that pain, I can relate, I have 6 beautiful children and I never had a c-section, but I am a researcher and I know what works. My father was also the chief naturalist of all metroparks in the Toledo area. Anyway, this product normalizes the PH and it takes away pain because it eliminates acid in the body. If you want more information, I would be more than happy to help you.

God bless,

M. G.

K.P.

answers from Cleveland on

Hey N. I actually just had a c-section about 3 months ago and I am numb still but sometimes your nerves that are cut during surgery can regrow so it is quite normal not to be numb..just be thankful your not its quite irritating.

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S.B.

answers from Evansville on

I think that it is great that you don't have any numbness! I had a C-Section 21 months ago and the left side of my scar is numb STILL! My dr told me that if it didn't come back in a year then it will probably stay numb. I think that alot of people do have numbness but it is nothing to worry about if you don't. So thank goodness that you didn't have that and enjoy your new baby!! Congratulations!

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J.F.

answers from Fort Wayne on

My C-Section "baby" is 8 1/2 years old and I still have numbness around my scar. I would say that your OB did a great job, the numbness comes from nerves being cut and some nerves heal and always stay numb.

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S.K.

answers from South Bend on

Your just lucky thats all.. :O) I have had 2 c-sections, my first was also an emergency c-section. I have a lil area that has no feeling on it. LIke if I scratch there or something, I can feel movement in the area but I don't feel the sensation of the scratch...I wouldn't be concerned

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K.R.

answers from Dayton on

After my appendectomy , the doctors left my wound open to heal because I was pregnant. After I had the baby and was sent home, my home health nurses helping with my wound vac told me that I would likely be numb. When they do surgery, they cut through your nerves. One of them said it takes 1 month for the nerves to grow 1/8 of an inch. When growing back, if they connect again, you'll have feeling. If the nerves miss each other, there will be numbness. It is possible that your nerves connected and theirs didn't. Or, if their's is recent, they may not be grown back together. Hope this helps!! God bless!!

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D.I.

answers from South Bend on

I had 2 c-sections and I was numb for a while after them. I wouldn't be concerned with not being numb because everyone is different. I am no longer numb where the inscisions were made although I was for months after. I would say there is nothing to be concerned about.
D.
I am 31 and have been married for almost 12 yrs. My husband and I have 3 boys ages 10,7 and 4. Our 7 yr. old and 4 yr. old were both c-section babies.

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N.E.

answers from Cleveland on

Hi N.
Everyone is different. Since it has only been a month, it might still be early. I had one and my numbness did not start until I started to heal. My son is 7 and my area of c-section is still numb at times.

Good Luck
N.

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T.A.

answers from Indianapolis on

Are you just numb at your incision area or other areas?? i work in an OB-GYN office and do nurse triage calls all day. I often get phone calls from patients after a c-section or abdominal surgery that they have numbness at the incision line or above or below it. This is completely normal and could be this way for quite some time. When the incision is made several nerves are cut through and it is just a healing process. Don't be alarmed if you are still having numb "spots" 6 months post-partum.

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M.M.

answers from Cleveland on

I was numb for alittle while. Mikala is 7.5 months. I don't have numbness now. I am happy about it.

M.

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C.G.

answers from South Bend on

N.,

I did not have a C-section but I did have surgery on my ovaries and have the same type of incision. My doctor told me that some women never loose feeling and other never get the feeling back. I have no feeling. They cut nerves and for some women they heal with no problem and for others they heal but never gain feeling back. It is normal.

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S.F.

answers from Columbus on

N., sensitivity is a good thing. I also had a c-section and did experience numbness, but gained sensitivity after 2 mos. People will recover differently and at different times. Count it a blessing.

S. (Mother of 3 boys).

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K.P.

answers from Columbus on

N. -

Where are you numb? If it's just along the scar, that's most likely normal. I have had 2 c-sections (1st was an emergency, second by choice) and I'm not numb at all. However, I've had other surgeries and have some numbness around the scar lines. If you're numb in your legs for example, talk to your doctor, it could be something else that you need treatment for. Good luck?

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