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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

I split one of my csection stitches

30 replies

ididnamechangeforthis · 27/02/2011 19:32

It's open and looks a bit gross :( It's oozing a bit- it's a tiny split though, only about a couple of milimetres, but I'm terrified of it splitting more. It feels a bit tight along the scar.

Should I do anything?

OP posts:
Imightbelulumama · 27/02/2011 19:33

call your MW immediately

Jacksmania · 27/02/2011 19:35

Have you got any Steri-Strips or butterfly bandages? If yes, put one on. You peel off the backing on one half, put it on one side of your scar, and then peel off the other bit of backing, put some tension on the bandage to close the scar, and make sure it's stuck on securely.

What is it oozing? Clear straw-coloured fluid? A bit tinged with blood? Or smell pus-like stuff? Clear slightly bloody ooze is ok. Pus, obv not.

If you're concerned, please call GP/midwife.

SunshineOnARainyDay · 27/02/2011 19:35

agree with Imight, can you call your midwife?

Original poster
ididnamechangeforthis · 27/02/2011 19:35

Really, even if it's only tiny? I can't see anything just a little bit of what looks like pus underneath it? It's about two milimetres in length

Sorry, am just going into a minor panic - am very very squeamish....

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puglet123 · 27/02/2011 19:37

I did that when I stupidly tried to have sex with stitches!! Went to the A&E and they told me they would only put steri strips on it and also that I should have gone back to the maternity hospital who originally did the cs. - Ring the maternity hospital and see what they say.
Good luck - mine did heal fine BTW.

oranges · 27/02/2011 19:37

yes call. why did it split? were you doing anything like lifting or stretching?

Batteryhuman · 27/02/2011 19:40

When I had DS3 (because of various surgical complications) I had a drain in the wound for a week which was pulled out a little more each day (yuck and painful!). I wasn't allowed home until the drain was out but it clearly hadn't finished its job as within 24 hours of getting home the wound split (about a 2cm split) and loads of fluid came out. It was 2am and very disturbing!

Midwife was useless but thats another story. GP advised that as long as the fluid was clear or pale straw coloured that it was fine and that the split was effectively a natural drain to get rid of the fluid that would otherwise take months to disperse.

All healed within approx 6 weeks and I used to pop a breast pad over the split to absorb the fluid which worked very well (and amused the health professionals enormously).

Original poster
ididnamechangeforthis · 27/02/2011 19:42

Well I seem to remember getting up in the night to feed DD (who is 9 days old) and feeling a pain in my tummy, but not thinking anything of it.

Then today I noticed that there is a section which a bit red and inflamed, about a centimetres worth, at the very end of the scar and it looks a bit like a button hole (only smaller). There is a yellow/greenish bit behind it and on my underwear theres a mark where it's been oozing (bit TMI)

OP posts:
5inthebed · 27/02/2011 19:44

Have you had your stitch taken out? Usually they are only kept in for 6 days.

Call your midwife as you may have an infection and it can affect your healing.

JimBobSquintPants · 27/02/2011 19:45

Have you got a temperature? If you have even a slight one you will need antibiotics as it sounds like you have an infection which can make you feel very poorly if not treated (I had an infection in my c-section scar) I would ring your MW in the morning.

5inthebed · 27/02/2011 19:45

Or do you have the number for the ward you were on? If you haven't been signed off yet from the MW they can still offer you advice and you can sstill go in there to be looked at.

Jacksmania · 27/02/2011 19:45

Ok, let's make the TMI a bit worse (but for a good reason) - can you just have a sniff of the bit on your underwear that it's oozed on?
Does it smell like nothing?
Or does it have a smell but not an unpleasant one?
Does it smell [boak]?

If no smell or not unpleasant, probably nothing to worry about - BUT still ring GP/ MW and ask, if only to make yourself feel better.

Meanwhile, how about putting on a warm wet compress to clean it up a bit and get rid of the redness? Could soak a flannel in warm/hot salt water, wring it out, put on for a bit.

Imightbelulumama · 27/02/2011 19:46

sounds like an infection, certainly one brewing, I would deffo speak to someone ASAP . a course of ABs should clear it up v quick.

ariane5 · 27/02/2011 19:47

do not worry at all, phone your mw and see if she will come out.

My WHOLE scar opened up after ds, i had metal clips and when they removed them the whole thing opened (hadnt been stitched correctly and id had other comps), however, after they had put steri strips and a huge dressing on it healed up quickly and was absolutely fine so please do not worry Smile

orangehead · 27/02/2011 19:48

Sounds like an infecion, I'd give your midwife a ring

Original poster
ididnamechangeforthis · 27/02/2011 19:49

Dissolvable stitches. Am on the phone to the labour ward now. They've said all fine, MW coming out tomo so she can check, but keep an eye on it.

If only there was a "it makes me feel sick" emoticon...

OP posts:
pinkthechaffinch · 27/02/2011 19:56

I had this 2 weeks after dd only in my case it was partly my own fault as I noticed a thread hanging at the edge of the scar and decided to give it a little tug. Big mistake!

In the end both ends of the scar became undone by about 1 cm, inflamed and infected and I needed antibiotics which quickly cleared it up and it healed fine.

I'll never forget the horror of sitting there on my own, thinking all my stitches were about to unravel and my guts pouring out but really it wasn't that bad at all!

Jacksmania · 27/02/2011 19:56

Envy will do in a pinch :)

Original poster
ididnamechangeforthis · 27/02/2011 20:04

I'll have a sniff in a mo....(gross)

Just bf'ing baby :)

What with sore nips and sore tum plus the tiredness I'm feeling a bot weepy tonight :(

OP posts:
Original poster
ididnamechangeforthis · 27/02/2011 20:05

bit even :)

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FourFortyFour · 27/02/2011 20:07

After my experience definitely get it looked at asap.

Original poster
ididnamechangeforthis · 27/02/2011 20:07

what was your experience?

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FourFortyFour · 27/02/2011 20:16

It wasn't sewn right from the beginning and I had to have another operation a year later.

teenyanne · 27/02/2011 20:21

If it's leaking, you could use a clean breast pad on it to catch the fluid until your MW sees it (that's what my MW recommended when my C-section wound started oozing at the edge).

Original poster
ididnamechangeforthis · 27/02/2011 20:31

i'm sorry to hear that, how did you know it wasn't right?

The MW is checking it tomo, so hopefully it will be okay until then......

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