Is it true that constipation after cesarean delivery is a symptom of a hernia?

Hernia is a complication of caesarean delivery that is quite rare. A hernia that occurs after a cesarean delivery is called an incisional hernia. A hernia occurs when a part of an organ or tissue (such as a part of the intestine) protrudes into an unusual area, causing a lump in that area to appear. Then, what are the symptoms of an incisional hernia that can occur after cesarean section?

Symptoms of a hernia after cesarean delivery

The main symptom of an incisional hernia is the appearance of a lump near or attached to the surgical incision site. The bumps are usually the same color as the skin. The lumps can be as small as grapes or they can be very large. Hernias can change place or get bigger over time.

Hernia does not always appear immediately after cesarean delivery, but can appear years after surgery. If this is the case, a lump will appear along the incision mark.

The lump from a hernia is usually more visible when:

stand up straight
doing physical activity, such as lifting objects above your head
cough

Sometimes, an incisional hernia can be painful and irritating, especially if the lump in the abdomen is obvious.

Incisional hernias also affect the area around the abdomen, which can cause abdominal pain. This includes nausea and even vomiting. Constipation is another symptom because a hernia can cause the intestines to slide out of place. This makes bowel movements more difficult.

How big is the risk of having a hernia after giving birth to a cesarean?

Hernia after cesarean delivery is rare.

A 2014 study of 642,578 women in Australia found that only 0.2 percent of participants needed hernia surgery.

Another 2014 Danish study published in the journal PLoS One, reports that an estimated 0.2 percent of women who have a C-section will need a hernia operation within 10 years. The risk is higher in the first 3 years after delivery.

The study also found that women who had midline (top and bottom) incisions were more likely to have a hernia after cesarean section than women with transverse (side-to-side) incisions. Half of hernias that occur after cesarean section cause symptoms in the first year.

This type of incisional hernia is a type of ventral hernia, which means the hernia is enlarging through the abdominal muscles. This hernia accounts for 15 to 20 percent of hernia cases.

Treatment for hernias after cesarean delivery

You may need treatment for the side effects of a complex hernia, such as bowel perforation or infection. This condition may require additional surgery, antibiotics, or hospitalization.

Emergency hernia removal surgery requires general anesthesia. If the hernia is not too severe, local anesthesia will usually be given. This depends on the type and location of the hernia you have.

A surgeon can perform a hernia removal through open surgery or laparoscopy. In open surgery, the doctor will make a cut in the stomach. Meanwhile, laparoscopic surgery is performed using small incisions, which tend to heal faster.