The Unseen Struggle After a C-Section

My name is Dr. Shalakha Desai, and like many new mothers, I had a C-section. As a doctor, I thought I knew what recovery would look like. But no textbook prepared me for the pain that lingered — the burning, the pulling, the tightness across the scar that made even the smallest tasks feel overwhelming. It tested me not just physically, but emotionally.

I had a beautiful, healthy baby in my arms, but my own body felt like it had turned against me. Every movement tugged at the scar. The burning, pulling, and tightness made it hard to even hold my newborn for long. As a doctor, I understood that recovery takes time. As a new mother, I felt helpless and frustrated — guilty that I couldn’t give my baby or myself the comfort I wanted.

Searching for Answers

When I couldn’t bear it anymore, I asked for help. I told my gynecologist about the pain. His reply broke me: “Ab dard ke saath jeena seekh lo” — “Now learn to live with the pain.” He then sent me to an orthopaedic doctor, who simply prescribed painkillers and said there wasn’t much else that could be done.

I was told to “make my peace with it” and “move on with life.” But how do you move on when every step, every embrace of your baby, every night’s sleep is ruled by pain?

The Turning Point at Ashirvad

Life changed when I joined the Chronic Pain Fellowship at Ashirvad Institute of Pain Management. On my very first days, I opened up to my mentor, Dr. Lakshmi Vas, about my own pain. She listened — really listened — and explained that my pain could be coming from tight muscles and trigger points around the scar, and that there was a way to treat it safely and effectively: Ultrasound-Guided Dry Needling (USGDN).

I still remember lying on the table, nervous but hopeful. With the ultrasound probe, ma’am visualized the scar tissue and the underlying muscles. I could actually see on the screen what was happening inside me.

Then came the fine needles. Instead of blindly poking, each needle was guided with precision into the exact tight bands of muscle. I felt a dull ache, then a twitch — and suddenly, a sense of release. It wasn’t magic. It was science, skill, and compassion coming together.

The next morning, I was 90% better. I was literally jumping in joy and couldn’t wait to tell ma’am about it. After the second session, I was completely pain free.

Inspired as a Doctor

I was so amazed and inspired by this transformation that I decided to take it beyond my personal story. I am now working on a case study on the role of USGDN in post-cesarean pain — so that other doctors, patients, and researchers can learn from this experience.

What began as my struggle has become my academic passion.

Lessons I Carry

As a patient, I felt a wave of gratitude and freedom. As a doctor, I realized how many women are silently living with pain because they are told it is “normal” or “nothing can be done.”

This journey taught me:
– Post-surgical pain is real and must never be dismissed.
– Listening matters. Patients need empathy, not indifference.
– USGDN works. In skilled hands, it can transform lives in just a few sessions.

Gratitude & Closing Note

I will always be grateful to my mentor, Dr. Lakshmi Vas, for not only treating my pain but also teaching me how to see my patients differently.

Sharing this story is my way of reaching out to other women who may be silently struggling with post-cesarean pain. Relief is possible. Healing begins with just one needle — guided by the right hands.