Long-term problems and chronic pain after caesarean section
(2017) Anesthesia for Cesarean Section — ISBN: [9783319420516], p. 169-182, published
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- Abstract
- Childbirth is a major event which can affect women’s quality of life, and giving birth by caesarean section may induce long-term health problems. Among those, during the first year, fatigue and back pain are more often reported than after a vaginal delivery. In contrast, postpartum depression concerns around 10% of the women whatever the mode of delivery. The incidence of chronic postsurgical pain after caesarean section ranges from 4 to 9% in prospective studies which have excluded preexisting pain conditions, with 2% of women reporting severe pain. Scar pain predominates and very often presents with neuropathic features (50–60% of the cases at 6 months and still 26% of the cases at 12 months). Deep visceral pain is also mentioned and specifically chronic pelvic pain (incidence of 2.9% at 6 months and 1.3% at 12 months). Further, caesarean delivery seems associated with a reduced risk of chronic pelvic pain by comparison with vaginal delivery. Finally, previous caesarean section represents a significant risk factor for the development of chronic postsurgical pain after hysterectomy performed later in life. While the degree of tissue trauma has only short-term impact, long-lasting problems, specifically chronic pain, are more related to individual predisposition. It is worth noting that, although they acknowledge needing help and advices, a majority of women do not consult health professionals. It is then mandatory that women’s health after childbirth becomes a priority as shared responsibility between the caregivers and the mothers.
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Lavand’homme, P. (2017). Long-term problems and chronic pain after caesarean section. In Capogna, Giorgio (ed.), Anesthesia for Cesarean Section (p. p. 169-182). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42053-0_12