Torn muscle after C-section: what to know

Pregnancy and surgery can alter how the abdominal wall works. Pain may come from muscle fibres being overstretched, protective tightening, the healing incision, or deeper abdominal and pelvic causes. A strain often hurts when sitting up, coughing, twisting, or lifting, and the area may feel tender or weak. A clinician can examine the wound and abdominal wall and decide whether imaging or another review is needed. A [Muscle Strain](/conditions/muscle-strain/) explains the broader pattern.

Follow your maternity or surgical discharge instructions, keep the wound clean as directed, and avoid lifting or exercise that sharply increases pain. Short, gentle walks may support movement if your care team has allowed them. Brace the abdomen with a pillow when coughing, but do not press hard on the incision. Use only pain medicine approved for you, especially if breastfeeding or taking other medicines. Arrange a review before returning to strenuous abdominal work.

Seek urgent medical help for fever, worsening redness or drainage from the incision, sudden severe abdominal pain, faintness, repeated vomiting, a new bulge that becomes firm or very tender, chest pain, breathlessness, or one-sided calf swelling and pain. These signs can point to complications that are not explained by a simple muscle strain. Persistent or worsening pain without these warning signs still deserves a clinician’s review.

Ask which structure seems painful, whether the incision is healing normally, which movements and lifting limits apply, and how to progress activity. Ask whether physiotherapy is suitable and what symptoms should trigger an earlier appointment.