<s>[INST] i had a c section 8 weeks ago and when i leaned over and lifted my baby 2 days ago I felt a sharp pain in the left side of my lower belly, just above the incision. The pain feels coming and going, not constant, but feels like its inside, deeper than the incision. What can it be? could it be that i strained my muscle? or a hernia?thank you [/INST] Hi, Thanks for writing in. Since you had c section 8 weeks back, your surgical wound is still in process of healing. Lifting a baby generally will not cause anything like a hernia. It must be that the healing process is continuing, and you had a little muscle irritation. Hernia surely needs to be ruled out if there is any swelling which increases on coughing. Please do not cough unnecessarily and allow yourself to be examined by a doctor if you feel there is any associated intermittent swelling below the surgery scar. An ultrasound scan will show if there is any widening (hernia) or infection in the scar. Hope this helps. </s>