Help - infected c-sect scar

[Hevster]

I had a ELCS 3 weeks ago and now it seems I have an infection. I am on my second lot of antibiotics (first lot were the wrong type) and have a hole in the wound of about 1cm thats leaking pus. Presuming the antibiotics work will the hole heal on it's own? Should I be covering it up to protect it? is it a good sign that the pus is coming out? when should the whole area stop hurting? (at the moment it's red and hot and hurts when you touch it)
all advice appreciated as not coping with it terribly well

Sorry to hear you are suffering when you should be enjoying your new baby.

What did the doctor advise for wound care - what dressing has been put on it? IMO someone needs to assess the wound properly and put a dressing on it that will aid the healing.

oh and has the pus been swabbed?

heyster amongst my other problems I also had an infected CS scar which opened up in two places and leaked pus.

Its very important that you get it swabbed and get the correct results (i did not!)
It is also important to see either the practice nurse at your GP surg or get a visit from the district nurses attached to your surgery. They can assess the wound and advise what would be best.
It can be cleaned and dressed aseptically as required (i did my own, but Im a nurse) and they will know whether you should be using something like Inadine or Aquacel for infection.

Do not take any notice of midwives who know nothing about wounds or dressings, good luck and please feel free to msg me if you need anything else

The same thing happened to me and as far as I can remember the second set of antibiotics fixed it for me.

I had a dressing over my wound that I cleaned and changed every day (or rather DH did, as I was too squeamish to do it ). I think it's red and hot at the minute as the infection is still present.

Has your GP seen you and checked what the infection is? Mine gave me some the antibiotics, really good dressing pads and painkillers (co-codamol, I think. I didn't take them in the end as they made me feel very spacey). Have you been given decent painkillers anyway for your CS? If not, could you ask your GP to prescribe some (tho' I think the codeine-based ones can make you feel very 'otherworldly' - they should be able to give you an alternative, I think).

Hope you're soon feeling much better. Mine happened 18 or so months ago and everything there is absolutely fine now - minimal scarring - and I can actually look at it now.

Last thing you need though when you have a newborn and are absolutely shattered anyway, isn't it? Hope you are basking in the joy of your baby nonetheless

cheers ladies, I have seen the practice nurse who prescribed the antibiotics and took a swab but noone has suggested dressing it, i know the current thinking is to leave things open to the air but it's leaking and I don't like it.
I guess if it's not looking any better I will ask for another appointment on Thursday.

I would try to get a manuka honey surgical wound dressing. It's supposed to do great things with difficult infections. It is also used in some hospitals internationally. Do some googling. The dressings are expensive, mind you.

Hi Hev. Is it any better today? I was given a prescription for saline solution and sterile dressings to clean and dress the wound when this happened to me (this was 3.9 yrs ago so don't know if current practice is different). Mine was oozing green pus - nice! But the ABs sorted it out and it healed fine. Hope u are ok. x

Jacks, no better today so back to the docs tomorrow - just when the poor doc thought she had got rid of me

Hi.Nurse from surgical ward here Hevster.Don't panic,wound infections can look pretty horrific,but can heal very quickly.Go see Treatment Room Nurse at GP Practice.You may need a swab-ask her if she doesn't suggest it.
Wash your wound daily.Have a shower,and rinse the wound-don't "wash it" with soap.Research shows tap water is as good as "sterile" water.Rinsing will help to remove the pus.
Pat the wound dry,cover with a simple dressing pad.
I am presuming all the clips are out/sutures dissolved? It is good that there is an opening,the pus needs to get out.
You may need to have it packed with the appropriate dressing-do NOT pack it yourself.With the appropriate dressing,and antibs if needed,it should heal up very quickly.
If you feel TR Nurse or GP are not solving it,ask to be referred to a Tissue Viability Nurse.
Good luck!

woopsidaisy thanks for reply and advice, i think the stiches have disolved and they took a swab on Monday, i will go back tomorrow and asked for it to be dressed as my clothes are sticking to it - yuck!