A cesarean section is an incision of the abdomen and uterus in order to reach the fetus, and it is performed based on reasons determined by the doctor, but one of its potential and rare complications at the same time is hernia. Learn with us in this article what a hernia is after a cesarean section, its symptoms and methods of treatment.

What is a hernia after a cesarean section?

A hernia is a rare complication of a cesarean delivery, and it is a weakening of a part of the abdominal wall, which causes part of the stomach or intestines to protrude or push through that weak area, eventually leading to flatulence or swelling of the abdomen, and in the case of a cesarean section, the weak area is a wound the operation.

Women most likely to have a hernia after a cesarean section:

• Are obese (excess weight puts extra pressure on the stomach).
• Larger caesarean incision.
• She has diabetes.
• Tissue weakness.

The form of a cesarean section hernia

The shape of the hernia after the cesarean section is the protrusion of part of the abdomen or a small bulge like the size of a grape, or it can be very large, and it can be in the form of a mass in the abdomen that moves or may remain in place after the cesarean section.

Hernia symptoms after cesarean section

A hernia after a cesarean section does not usually cause symptoms other than physical symptoms, so recognizing the following signs and symptoms may help you diagnose your condition early, and symptoms include the following:

Flatulence

The most common symptom of a hernia after a cesarean section is an unusual bulge near or connected to the incision site. The hernia may change position or grow over time. This bulge may be noticed months after your baby is born, as it bulges along a faint scar.

Pain or feeling uncomfortable

Sometimes an incisional hernia can cause pain and discomfort, especially when stomach bloating is more noticeable, and this symptom can be a challenge for a new mother to recognize at first, as the recovery process after a cesarean delivery can cause discomfort, while discomfort The discomfort from the hernia will continue even after recovery from the caesarean section.

Nausea or constipation

Incisional hernias affect the areas around the stomach, so they can cause stomach upset, and this includes nausea and vomiting, while constipation is another symptom because the hernia can cause the intestines to move out of place, making bowel movements more difficult.

Recognizing the signs and symptoms early can help you get appropriate medical treatment.

Diagnostic methods

A doctor is usually able to diagnose a hernia by examining the area where the birth wound is. Sometimes the hernia is only visible in certain positions, or when you cough, so the doctor may touch the wound and ask you to bend forward or cough.

But there are some cases that can occur after a cesarean section with symptoms similar to a hernia, and these cases include the following:

• Salutation
• hematoma;
• lining of the abdominal wall.
• Uterine rupture.
• wound infection

So sometimes doctors use imaging to rule out other conditions and confirm a diagnosis of a hernia, or to assess whether the bowel is trapped inside the hernia. Radiology used includes ultrasound or CT scan.

Hernia treatment after cesarean section

Surgery is the usual treatment for an incisional hernia, but doctors usually do not recommend surgery unless a woman has certain symptoms, including:

• The hernia increases in size and becomes more noticeable.
• A hernia causes discomfort that makes it difficult for you to complete your daily activities.
• a strangulated or incarcerated hernia – the intestine is trapped in the hernia and doesn’t get much blood flow, usually causing a lot of pain

There are no medications that you can take to reduce the hernia, while some women wear an elastic band that prevents the hernia from protruding, but this will not get rid of the hernia but may help relieve symptoms, while only surgery can permanently reduce the appearance of the hernia.

Your surgeon will evaluate your hernia and recommend a specific treatment method to get rid of it. For example, some surgeons will use an “open” technique. This involves making a larger incision to repair the hernia. Alternatively, laparoscopic or minimally invasive techniques involve making small incisions to gain access to the area. infected.

Usually with both surgical methods the doctor will place a piece of surgical mesh over the weak area, this helps to hold it in place properly.

Complications of hernia after cesarean section

In some cases, a small hernia can heal without medication or surgery on its own. However, there is a risk that the hernia could suffocate or become trapped, so immediate medical attention is required.

What is a strangulated hernia after a cesarean section?

A strangulated hernia is a rare medical condition. This can happen if the herniated tissue becomes trapped or trapped, but would then cut off the blood supply to vital organs in the stomach, including the intestines.

Symptoms of a strangulated hernia include:

• Slowly increasing pain in the stomach.
• Tenderness or pain in or near the hernia.
• Vomiting and nausea.
• Redness and swelling in the stomach.

A strangulated hernia can be life threatening, as it can cause problems such as:

• Perforation of the intestine.
• Bowel obstruction.
• Internal bleeding.
• fluid in the abdominal cavity.

A strangulated hernia after a cesarean section is a medical emergency that requires going to the emergency room at the nearest hospital immediately.

When is a hernia after a cesarean section most noticeable?

• It is usually more noticeable in the following circumstances:
• When you are tall and erect.
• When you participate in physical activity such as lifting something over your head.
• when you cough

The abdominal skin may look loose, sunken, or swollen after childbirth, and this can make it difficult to know if you have symptoms of a hernia or if you are simply recovering from a C-section, so you need to follow up with your doctor to ascertain the cause of these symptoms.

What is the incidence of hernia after cesarean delivery?

A research study indicated that out of every 1,000 cesarean deliveries, 2 women develop a hernia that requires surgical treatment within 10 years of giving birth.

It is possible that more women will have a hernia after a caesarean section, but may not have surgery to treat it for some time or at all.

The study also found that women who had a vertical incision were more likely to develop a hernia after a caesarean section compared to women who had a transverse incision, with half of the cases showing symptoms of the hernia after a caesarean section within the first year.

In the end, after you know the symptoms and signs of caesarean section hernia and the necessary treatment methods, if you notice any of the previous signs, you should quickly go to the doctor to recover as soon as possible and not be exposed to risks, and we wish you continued health and wellness.