Abdominal pain on the left after caesarean section | Abdominal pain after a caesarean section

Abdominal pain on the left after caesarean section

Left-sided abdominal pain after a Caesarean section, if it occurs, is usually localized in the lower or middle part of the left side of the abdomen. They are relatively rare and usually harmless, but may also indicate a condition requiring treatment. This is particularly the case if the pain was initially only felt in the middle abdomen or if the lateral abdominal pain is very severe.

In the majority of those affected, left-sided abdominal pain is caused by the surgical wound on and in the abdomen and heals after a few weeks of rest. They occur more frequently if much of the left part of the abdomen had to be operated on during the caesarean section. However, especially if further symptoms are added, abdominal pain on the left side can also be the first sign of dangerous diseases.

For example, if a fever or a foul-smelling vaginal discharge occurs, an infection of the uterus, the left fallopian tube or the ovary must be considered. In this case, examinations and antibiotic treatment should be arranged as soon as possible, as an infection of the female reproductive organs can have serious consequences. After a Caesarean section, in rare cases the fallopian tubes and ovaries become twisted.

In such a twisting, the blood vessels are often also affected, which is why the blood flow to the affected organs can be completely interrupted. This usually causes extreme pain in the lateral abdomen. Such a situation represents an emergency and must be operated on as soon as possible.

Abdominal pain on the right after caesarean section

Abdominal pain after a caesarean section is usually felt centrally above the surgical wound or inside the lower abdomen. Only relatively rarely does the main pain appear on the right side of the abdomen. They can also be caused by the operation wounds and should decrease significantly within days or a few weeks.

However, just like left-sided abdominal pain, it can also be the first symptom of more dangerous diseases, especially if the right-sided pain does not appear until several days after the caesarean section. They can then be signs of a so-called “ovarian vein thrombosis“. This is when a clot forms in the draining blood vessel of the ovary and disrupts the regular blood flow in it.

In the worst case, this can lead to blood poisoning and become life-threatening. In addition, urination can be impaired for a few days after a Caesarean section due to surgery near the bladder. If not treated properly, this can lead to a build-up of urine up to the kidneys and consequently to an infection.

If not treated early with antibiotics, the kidneys can be permanently damaged. Right-sided abdominal pain can also occur in diseases that occur independently of the caesarean section. Gastrointestinal infections and appendicitis are among the most common clinical pictures in this case.