My c-section incision keeps gushing blood and the doctors insist it’s normal?

[Ijustdontknowwhattodoanymore]

I had a c-section 9 days ago and it went fairly smoothly, I lost 1200 ml of blood but they didn’t seem hugely concerned and I was discharged the following day.

All was fine until I got out of the shower on Friday and my incision gushed blood, it was pouring down my legs onto the floor. I phoned maternity triage in a panic and they told me to keep an eye on it and only come in if it got any worse which it did, it gushed and poured again later that day so I went in. The doctor had a look and said it looked absolutely fine with no signs of infection so he wasn’t concerned (he did take swabs which came back clear). He sent me home with precautionary antibiotics and some gauze to put on the wound.

Yesterday morning it gushed again, it was pouring down my legs and all over the floor- it even sprayed at one point which terrified me. I went to triage again and this time the doctor told me to encourage it to bleed by lying on my stomach once a day and if I started to feel weak or dizzy, phone my GP . She said it’s likely there are pockets of blood behind the incision which need to drain. I told my community midwife today and she said it was dangerous advice I definitely shouldn’t follow.

It gushed again when I stood up this evening. I never do anything crazy, it just randomly happens when I stand up to use the toilet usually. There’s always a puddle of blood on the floor when it happens and I’m starting to feel slightly fatigued and spaced out now...

I don’t know what to do in all honesty. Every doctor or midwife who looks at it says it looks normal and none of them can seem to figure out where the blood is even coming from but when it pours out it terrifies me.

This surely isn’t normal, does anyone know what I should do?

You poor thing. That doesn’t sound good at all. Especially if you’re feeling woozy. Have you spoken to your GP? I think you probably need to insist on being seen again.

No I wouldn't agree with that
I would go to a&e

You will need iron supplements if you lost 1200ml of blood.

I would ask for an ultra sound to see what's going on

Day 9,you should be looking at getting staples/suture out, so definitely should be healing. Sounds like you maybe need an ultrasound to check for abscess or infection behind the wound.
Could you phone your GP and explain your concerns? If not, I would absolutely get a bit pushy. It's not pleasant, but sometimes you need to. (I'm a health care professional by the way,not obstetrics related though, I've had 2 sections)

This is not normal (I had a c-section) and you need to insist that 111/A&E see you. One of the first questions that 111 ask is 'are you bleeding heavily'. You need to be seen. Even though it's not infected now, it may well become so if let untreated.

I’d seek medical advise again. Especially if you’re starting to feel a bit spaced out. The doctor said to get it check again if you feel dizzy. Don’t be afraid to ask for a further second opinion either. Hope everything settles down for you

Ultra sound is an excellent idea so you can get a proper sense of what’s going on.

It happened to me about 5 times after my second section. I got the same advice as you. The wound wouldn't close for about a one inch length because of it, so nurses at local gp worked on it, to get it to heal from inside out. Had to see them twice a week for a few weeks. I was paranoid about going out so put a maternity towel across it in case it burst. That also helped the clean up

This is not Afghanistan during a war, this is England. You need to be treated.

A&E! That sounds horrendous 😢

At the least I would expect you need stitching up again.

As for the 'lie on your tummy and bleed out'. What?????

That's not normal, at all. I would go to a and e and take photos if it happens again.

Sorry to hear you’re going through this OP. I’ve had 2 c-sections and I’ve never had anything like you describe. My first one popped open at one side on day 5 leaving a 3cm hole but there were only a few spots of blood.

In my experience I have pound postnatal care once you leave the hospital to be absolutely dreadful and like they don’t give a shit. I went pack to the postnatal ward on day 5 when mine popped open only to be told it would be fine and I was made to feel like I was being a nuisance and sent on my way with a tiny dressing for it. It went on to become infected by day 9 and they wouldn’t even see me again I had to go to my GP who said it really could have done with stitching again but couldn’t be done now because of the infection!

This is not at all normal. I would get myself to a and e. Congratulations on your baby and hope you get sorted quickly xx

I had 4 (medical reasons) C Sections and never have I suffered this, or known anybody that has .
Its not normal OP and that advise to lay on the floor is absurd .
I hope its sorted quickly for you

I know someone who had emergency surgery and needed vacuum treatment to help the wound heal as it would not stay stitched. They were prepared for it with her ELCS so while not straightforwards, it was better than her first experience.
She has complex health issues though.

I'd go to A&E for urgent treatment.

Could you video it next time it happens so they can see the extent of it?

Video it?
The woman is already spaced out. She needs treatment this evening. Not tomorrow.

You need to present at A&E, say you've had a baby and that you're bleeding heavily from your wound. I'd sit myself alone somewhere and bleed all over their floor to be honest. I know it's not their fault, but it's somebody's fault. You could end up dead - simple as that.

Two c-sections here and nothing like this OP. I think you need to go to Casualty as it should not be bleeding like this.

This sounds really scary op! I'd definitely consider a&e, especially as you now say you're not feeling too great either. Were you given iron supplements due to your initial blood loss? If not, definitely try and get taking some, as you could be suffering with anemia, and this extra blood loss will make it even worse. I've had 2 emcs and never experienced anything like you describe. Not even small spots of blood after the first day or so, so for it to be described as gushing and spraying with blood sounds very alarming. Definitely get it checked out. Congrats on your baby! X

A&E - two c sections here and nothing remotely like that.

I did, however, have a pph on my first vaginal delivery and when I called my doctor to report gushing blood and pain and difficulty walking 2 weeks later was told it was perfectly normal. it wasn't - i had retained products and needed a d&c.

That sounds all wrong.

I can't believe what they've said to you.