Wound haematoma after a Ceasarean Section - has anyone had one? i'd really appreciate an explanation of what it all means, thanks.

[AitchTwoCiao]

my friend had a c/s (and a lovely boy) a couple of days ago, apparently her wound had opened up yesterday so they put a pressure bandage on but today they took it off and apparently there is a big haematoma and she was whisked into surgery to have it drained.

i'm hoping to see her tomorrow, so i was just wondering if i could summon the might of MN to see what generally happens, if it's serious at all and what might be done to help.

thanks in advance.

[tissy]

haematoma is a blood clot contained under the skin.

I had a small one; it didn't require surgery though. They'll simply be exploring the wound, getting rid of the clot, stopping any bleeding points and sewing her up again. It shouldn't set back her recovery much.

If there was a big clot they might recommend a few days' bed rest to make sure the wound doesn't fill up again, but then they might not

[AitchTwoCiao]

and it just dispersed in your case and then your wound cleared up fine? i do hope this is it for my friend, she's got a toddler. she blooming well will rest, though, i'm sure the hosp won't let her out until she's properly back on her feet, cos her dh used to work there.

[tissy]

nope, the wound opened up, and the clot came out on its own (well, I squeezed it a bit, and bathed in tea-tree oil). The wound then healed up on its own. they get rid of big clots because they can get infected, and that's a big problem.

[AitchTwoCiao]

at you squeezing it out.

tea tree oil is AMAZING, isn't it? i used to drip it straight into my laparoscopy wounds and they healed beautifully.

[suwoo]

I had a haematoma on my fanjo and the result is not attractive!

[AitchTwoCiao]

double ouch. no tea tree oil for you.
how did that happen?

[suwoo]

They stitched me up incorrectly and it formed a clot, tis on my perineum and there is a sac of skin left behind where the fluid drained away- niiiiiiice!!

[AitchTwoCiao]

oh blimey, that doesn't sound like fun. poor you.

[suwoo]

That was the third worst thing that happened to me, I won't scare with with the other two things. Hope your friend is ok Aitch.

[AitchTwoCiao]

yikes. i hope you feel okay about everything now, suwoo.

[moondog]

Nothing useful to add but have laways loved the word 'haemotoma' after seeing a film years ago when overweight Italian Brooklyn mafia cigar chomping stylee boss is surprised by henchmen when counting huge pile of cash and clutches his side saying

'You guys nearly gave me a haemotoma'

Tis now a standard family saying.

[kitstwins]

I had one following the birth of my twins. Came home from hospital after a week on the Friday and by the Sunday morning I was in agony. Doubled over in pain and my scar had opened on one side and was leaking dark red blood. My lovely Father in Law drove me to A&E as my useless midwife didn't return my call. When I got there the pain was hideous from all the pressure and I could barely walk - was half dragged through to a bed in floods of tears and generally feeling very sorry for myself.

They drained the wound by placing a large amount of pressure on it and squeezing out the blood. They placed a pressure dressing on it and sent me home with antibiotics as, in their words, old blood is "the Hilton Hotel of breeding grounds for infection". I didn't need an operation to drain it as the wound had opened on one side and it wasn't too massive (although felt big enough to me at the time!!). It took about six weeks to heal over and stop leaking blood, which was difficult as it really held me back. However, your friend will have been restitched so she should heal quickly.

She needs to TAKE THINGS EASY as overdoing things will make things worse. I know it's hard with a newborn - I well remember the hilarity of being sent back home to my week old twins and being told to get "lots of rest". However, if she can do the minimum that she can (avoid all lifting and get lots of rest) then all the better. It will help with healing in the long run. Arnica might help too as she'll probably have residual bruising. I've still got a discoloured scar (bruised) and I'm 18 months in. It started off black/blue (all the old blood I suppose) and is now a faint greyish blue tinge. I've been told it will be a few years before this fully fades as it takes a long time for the old blood/bruising to be reabsorbed and broken down.

It's rough so I sypmathise. However, it's really good that they've cleaned it all out as she'll heal much better and more quickly this way.

Wishing her all the best.
Kx