Infection in C-section Incision help!

[Pocketfullofsunshine8995]

Posting for traffic! Had c section 5 weeks ago. Yesterday I found that in the middle of the incision it had been bleeding and leaking clear fluid. Had an appointment today with GP over the phone and was prescribed flucidin acid. The pain has increased as the day has went on and seems to be spreading along the scar, it also has started to smell (sorry tmi).

Should I call the doctors again tomorrow? Or give it a longer chance with the cream? Also any advice on how to help it heal would be great!

Hi. Its sounds like you need to be looked at, especially as the pain is increasing. As you only had your LO 5 weeks ago, can you call the unit and ask for a review? If you explain that you are in pain and the GP won't see you I cant see them saying no, especially as the wound now has an odour. I'm not medically trained but that was one of the red flags I was told about when I had my DS by section.

Congratulations on baby OP.

Yes I would call again and see if they will give an antibiotic. Better to be safe.

For me, I used hibiscrub which is a hospital antiseptic we use for hand washing etc at lambing time and I put a capful in the bath. It's concentrate so do not apply direct.

I also used a hairdryer after washing, without issue. Others have said they were told not to do this as it can blow dust into wound but I never had an issue. To be fair I never actually dry my hair so the hairdryer is like new.

Aloe Vera gel onto wound once it started to heal also helped me, as did arnica tablets initially.

You need to get that looked at op, soon as, a smelly wound is a red flag, need to rule out infection and more importantly sepsis, are you passing urine ok? Do you have a temp? Do you feel well?

It can get smelly around the scar as there is a crease. You need to keep it clean as possible. Pick up some sterile water from the pharmacy and wipe along the scar.

Smell and increasing pain needs to be looked at ASAP, surgical infections can worsen and spread at an alarming speed. I developed sepsis thanks to a surgical infection and in the space of just 8-9 hours went from feeling a bit 'off' to delirious in the back of an ambulance.

I'd give the unit where you delivered a call, even if they cant see you themselves they should be able to signpost you to the relevant people.

So I called the midwifery unit first and they told me to call the GP today as at the time it wasn’t swollen/red.

I have don’t have a temperature and passing urine. I’ve been feeling quite tired but might just be to do with having a newborn! I have been feeling a bit light headed and have started to have a lot of heart palpitations.

The smell I originally thought was just from the crease but it’s now quite a strong smell and can smell it when standing.

I think with your symptoms, especially the heart palpitations I would definitely get seen ASAP as I think you’re likely to need antibiotics. If your doctor and midwife are giving you the run around tomorrow morning or if you start to feel worse go to A&E. I am not a doctor but I think you don’t necessarily always have an obvious temperature with sepsis.

Yeah you need to ring the unit op, it varies trust to trust but there should be an “open door policy” for women who have have recently given birth so you can bypass A&E, ring post natal soon as

Poor you, that sounds painful. I took arnica for my scar, the midwife recommended it a cream with arnica.

I would phone tomorrow if it’s getting worse and the antibiotics haven’t helped. You don’t want the infection spreading, and with a new baby, you don’t want to be feeling ill.

You could try 111? I had to use them the weekend before last and they gave me an appointment at urgent care rather than sitting in A&E for ages.

Hi OP, congrats on the newborn!
I’m a nurse, I’d be keeping a close eye on that. Go with antibiotics, but sometimes a wound can break down from the inside. And the top bit is the last to go, so it looks ok but isn’t.
I definitely think a professional should look at the wound, so ring GP tomorrow and really push for someone to see it/swab it.
You can shower as normal, don’t rub it or ‘wash’ it with soap, just let the water run over it. Pat dry with a clean towel, let the air dry it so it’s really dry. You don’t need to put anything in it, but a dry pad (even an ST) can be placed against it and use your pants to hold it in place if you like.
Please don’t use a hair dryer.
It does happen to abdo wounds that they sometimes break down, it’s fixable.

Should have said, the nurse at your GP practice is maybe even a better shout? Either GP or nurse but someone needs to see it.

Sorry just seen your update OP, with those symptoms you should ring the unit you gave birth in tonight, they might want you to go in tonight for more antibiotics.

You need to be seen in person properly. I had similar and had to have iv antibiotics.

Please get seen ASAP.

I had a section 10 weeks ago (my second one) and as I have quite an overhang it took much longer to heal - about 6 weeks -and was also weepy and smelly and sore - however it was more the skin that was sore and was red from a fungal skin infection so I got some clotrimazole cream (basically canesten) and put some dressings back on to keep it from sweating in the hot weather which sorted it right out.
Having said all that, palpitations aren't normal (although they could be down to low iron or anxiety) so I would definitely call the PN ward or maternity triage, whichever it is in your trust, and explain these newer symptoms. They should get you in to be seen - I'm a midwife and would definitely invite someone in for assessment with those symptoms.

Do not wait.call GP surgery and ask for urgent appointment.

I’m going to try the midwifery unit tomorrow and see if they can have a look. The GP are quite reluctant to see anyone with Covid but unit did say I could always find back.

I would have went tonight but all the kids are in bed and I have no one to watch them. If i feel worse during night feeds I’ll find a way to go.

I’m meant to apply the cream 3/4 times a day so won’t it stay quite wet rather than dry?

You need it looking at in person really, sounds like you need antibiotic tablets. This happened to me, I rang 111 when my scar became red and sore after I over did it and an OOH Dr prescribed antibiotics straight away and that was without any weeping or smell!

I had an infection after c section at one end and it even reopened a little. There was a distinct cabbagey smell, which freaked me out.
I was given antibiotic cream and x2 sets of oral antibiotics. I think you need to be seen ASAP.

It’s ok to put the cream on OP and for that to make it ‘wet’. I just mean make sure it’s well dry after a shower.You can use a clean towel/face cloth to pay it dry if you like.

They should have given you oral antibiotics.

I had exactly the same at 4 weeks PP - the antibiotics cleared it up very quickly.

Don’t wait around and check your temperature regularly.

Also, I used a strong dettol solution to clean it.

I think it needs looking at. Like a PP, I had an infection & and ended up in hospital on IV antibiotics for 5 days. The nurse who visited had looked at it and suggested tea-tree oil....

I had this and it wouldn't clear up even with antibiotics but my GP told me to put absorbant lint against it and after that it went quickly.