Hernia After C-Section: Symptoms, Treatment And Prevention

Recognizing symptoms such as an abdominal bulge is crucial for timely treatment.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Miguel Angel Razo Osorio, MD Dr. Miguel Angel Razo Osorio Dr. Miguel Angel Razo OsorioMD MomJunction on FacebookFollow MomJunction on Twitter Specialty: Gynecology and Obstetrics, Gynecologic Endoscopic SurgeryExperience: 19 years
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Edited by , BSc Rebecca Malachi BSc Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Pregnancy, Health and WellnessExperience: 12 years
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Women Showing Concerns Of A Hernia After A C-section

Image: Shutterstock

The protrusion of organs through weak muscles or tissues is called a hernia. Although uncommon, hernias after C-section surgeries may occur in some deliveries. The abdominal organs can protrude or herniate through the surgical incision after a C-section, called incisional hernia (1).

A prospective cohort study of over ten years of data showed that two out of every 1000 women who underwent cesarean delivery through transverse incision developed incisional hernias, requiring surgical interventions eventually (2).

Read on to know about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of hernia after C-section delivery.

In This Article

What Are The Symptoms Of Hernia After A C-Section?

Hernias after a c-section may lead to pain or discomfort

Image: Shutterstock

Incisional hernias or ventral hernias are likely to manifest three to six months after childbirth surgeries such as cesarean delivery (1).

The symptoms of hernia after C-section may include

  • Abdominal bulge: A bulge or protrusion of the abdominal muscles may appear near the site of the incision cut or surgery, and you may feel a lump in the abdomen while bowing down or lifting objects (3).
  • Pain or discomfort: Pain or discomfort after a cesarean birth is common. However, faint or severe pain while coughing, sneezing, or lifting objects could also be a manifestation of a hernia (4).
  • Nausea or constipation: When abdominal organs, such as the intestines, protrude due to incisional hernia, it can affect the digestive system. The displacement of the intestines can affect digestion and cause constipation and nausea (5).

What Are The Risk Factors Of Hernia?

Overweight women may be at risk of developing a hernia after C-section

Image: Shutterstock

Pregnant women rarely experience incisional hernia during recovery after cesarean delivery. The University of Copenhagen conducted a meta-analysis revealing that the incidence of incisional hernia following a C-section ranges from 0.0% to 5.6%. However, certain risk factors contribute toward its occurrence (4) (6):

  • Previous cesarean births
  • Previous abdominal surgery
  • Overweight during or before pregnancy
  • History of steroids, chemotherapy, or medications that can affect immunity
  • Diabetes
protip_icon Research finds
A study showed that females with a transverse (side-to-side) incision are less likely to have a hernia after a C-section than those with a midline (up and down) incision (2).

How Do Doctors Diagnose Hernia After A C-Section?

MRI can help diagnose hernias in women

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To diagnose a postoperative hernia, the doctor will first look for a bulge near the incision site. You may be asked to stand up and cough for the bulge to be distinctly visible. Imaging modalities, such as ultrasound, MRI, or CT scans, may be carried out to help locate the hernia and aid in surgery (4).

What Is The Treatment For Hernia After A C-Section?

The primary approach to treating an incisional hernia is surgical repair, which can be of two types depending on the severity of the symptoms and the protrusion (7).

  • Open surgery: In this type of surgery, the patient is administered anesthesia, and a long incision is made in the groin. Then, the hernia or protrusion is pushed back into the abdomen. Finally, the abdominal wall is secured with either stitches or synthetic/biological mesh to strengthen the area.
  • Laparoscopic surgery: In case the hernia is small, the doctor may perform laparoscopic surgery. A tube fitted with a camera is inserted through a small cut in the abdomen to help the doctor visualize the hernia and repair it using synthetic mesh.
Laparoscopic surgery may help treat a hernia in postpartum women

Image: Shutterstock

Pain relief medication may be administered following the surgery, and the doctor may advise against lifting heavy objects or performing any strenuous activity after the surgery.

What Are The Complications Of Hernia Post C-Section?

Hernia after a C-section can lead to complications such as acute abdominal pain

Image: Shutterstock

Generally, incisional hernias are treated with surgery, and complications are rare but may be severe. The intestines may get trapped or stuck in the abdominal cavity, obstructing the blood supply, which is called strangulation. It can cause nausea, vomiting, and acute abdominal pain and lead to necrosis or death of the tissue (5).

Can You Prevent Hernia After A C-section?

The risk of hernia after a C-section can be reduced by maintaining a healthy weight, following a balanced diet, doing gentle exercises, avoiding heavy lifting, avoiding strained bowel movements, and consulting your doctor for chronic coughing or colds (8).

protip_icon Quick tip
Avoid smoking, as it can lead to coughing, which may trigger a hernia (12).

Can Hernia Recur After A Cesarean Delivery?

Recurrence of incisional hernias is a major complication that can occur years after the first surgery and may require another surgery. To reduce the risk of recurrence, avoid smoking and maintain a healthy weight (7). Also, follow your doctor’s instructions, watch for signs of complications, and attend follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the rate of occurrence for incisional hernia after a C-section?

Studies have reported an occurrence rate for incisional hernia after a C-section to be between 0.0 and 5.6 % (9)

2. When is an incisional hernia an emergency?

An emergency surgery may be required in the rare instance of an incisional hernia threatening to strangle (cut-off blood supply) a portion of the intestine (10).

3. How do I know if my hernia is strangulated?

You may experience pain and swelling if a hernia is strangulated. The pain worsens when lifting or straining. There may be additional bowel obstruction symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and severe constipation. The skin around the herniated area may also appear reddish or dusky compared to the surrounding skin (11).

Even though a hernia after a C-section is rare, it is not unlikely, and the condition usually manifests around three to six months following cesarean delivery. The most common symptoms of this condition include a bulge in the abdomen and a feeling of nausea. If a woman is overweight or has had a history of abdominal surgeries or diabetes, it might increase her risk of having a hernia after a c-section. However, it can be treated with the help of surgery and followed by pain medications to manage the pain. Contact the doctor immediately if you feel any discomfort or severe pain after the surgery.

Infographic: What You Must Know About Hernia After A C-Section

Hernia can be painful and problematic if not treated on time. But what makes a new mom susceptible to developing the condition? If you are concerned about it, this infographic will brief you on the key attributes to know about it and help you understand and recognize the symptoms and the risk factors.

hernia after a c-section (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Key Pointers

  • Hernia after C-section is caused when organs protrude through weak muscles or tissues.
  • Abdominal protrusion, pain, and constipation are some symptoms of hernia.
  • Factors contributing to this condition may be a previous C-section, abdominal surgery, or diabetes.
  • The condition can be treated through surgery.
  • Maintaining an ideal weight and avoiding heavy lifting are a few ways to prevent hernia.

Postpartum hernia is a common condition that can cause pain and discomfort. Learn about its causes, signs and symptoms, diagnosis and treatment in this video.

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. Incisional hernia.
    https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/hernias/incisional-hernia
  2. Anna J. M. Aabakke et al.; (2014); Incidence of Incisional Hernia after Cesarean Delivery: A Register-Based Cohort Study.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4182598/
  3. About Your Abdominal Incisional Hernia Surgery.
    https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/about-your-abdominal-incisional-hernia-surgery
  4. What is an incisional (ventral) hernia?
    https://www.brighamandwomens.org/surgery/general-and-gastrointestinal-surgery/hernia/incisional-hernia
  5. Ventral (Abdominal) Hernia.
    https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/hernias/ventral-abdominal-hernia
  6. A. Shand et al.; (2015); Incisional hernia repair after caesarean section: a population‐based study.
    https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Incisional-hernia-repair-after-caesarean-section%3A-a-Shand-Chen/c0f7783af83521ccf662e27b29ce1c5985b8625a?p2df
  7. Ventral (Incisional) Hernia.
    https://surgery.ucsf.edu/condition/ventral-incisional-hernia
  8. Hernia.
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15757-hernia
  9. Cecilie B Paulsen et al.; (2019); Incisional hernia after cesarean section: A systematic review.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31785469/
  10. What is an incisional (ventral) hernia?
    https://www.brighamandwomens.org/surgery/general-and-gastrointestinal-surgery/hernia/incisional-hernia
  11. Alyssa Pastorino and Amal A. Alshuqayfi; (2021); Strangulated Hernia.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555972/
  12. Hernia.
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15757-hernia
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Dr. Miguel Angel Razo Osorio
Dr. Miguel Angel Razo OsorioMD
Dr. Miguel Razio Osorio began his career in 2004 and has 19 years of experience in various fields of gynecology. After two years of internship and social service, he decided to specialize in G&O. Since 2013, Dr. Razo has dedicated his training and practice to improving his patients' obstetric and gynecological health, getting his degree as a certified specialist in 2017.

Read full bio of Dr. Miguel Angel Razo Osorio
Aneesha Amonz
Aneesha AmonzMSc
Aneesha holds a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology from USTM, Meghalaya and Master’s degree in Applied Microbiology from VIT, Vellore. With two years of experience, she has worked on different research projects in the field of Food Sciences.

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Rebecca Malachi
Rebecca MalachiBSc
Rebecca is a pregnancy writer and editor with a passion for delivering research-based and engaging content in areas of fertility, pregnancy, birth, and post-pregnancy. She did her graduation in Biotechnology and Genetics from Loyola Academy, Osmania University and obtained a certification in ‘Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy’ from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU).

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Reshmi Das
Reshmi DasMSc
Reshmi Das has over four years of experience as a clinical coordinator, medical content writer and medical conference coordinator. Her continuous interest in medical journals and writing makes her write well-researched articles for MomJunction.

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