Wound drains after a c section?

[ScreamIfYouWantToGoFaster]

There have been studies carried out which show the use of wound drains after a cesarean do not decrease the risk of complications (such as infection). Also the NICE guidelines (from 2004!) explicitly reference these studies and recommend that wound drains are NOT used for c section patients because they do not improve clinical outcomes. Yet from reading threads on MN and other forums it seems as though wound drains are still commonly (although not always) used after a cs. Has anyone been given a reason for this by the consultant who put in the wound drain? Is it possible to refuse one?

It seems to be dependent on the surgeon who does your c-section. I didn't have drain, but women on same ward did; different surgeons. Could you put something in your birth plan?

I didnt have drains. They are usually down to the surgeons opinion at the time of whether they are needed rather than individual surgeons always/never doing them. You should have the opportunity to speak to the surgeon beforehand unless it is an emergency.

I've had 4 sections (3 different surgeons) & have never had a drain. None of my friends who have had sections (lots) have had drains either.

2 sections, same hospital, different surgeons, no drains.

No drain here either.
I dont know of anyone having had a wound drain post cs.
Drains are nirmally used where excess bleeding is still expected. Common in gastro surgery and also neurosurgery

i had a drain with my first unplanned CS. It was because i had a torn ligament.

i was high on morphine when they put it in so would have agreed to anything i suspect.

i was determined not to have one on my second (and told surgeon beforehand) and fortunately didn't need one. Getting the drain removed was the single most painful experience of my life - it felt like all my insides were being pulled out!

I had a wound drain. Also massive staples rather than dissolvable stitches. The midwives were rather surprised on both counts.

I did. I feel sick now just thinking about it.

I have had three sections, only had a drain put in on my last one. Was the worse pain ever getting it removed, never want to go through that again.

I've had 2 sections - first one was no drain and dissolvable stitches, second was drain and horrible big metal staples which were flipping painful to have removed! I guess it depends on the surgeon? Mine was different each time and I seriously wanted to have words with the second as to why on earth he uses metal staples and would have liked to have given him some to see how he liked having them removed

Emergency C-S under GA in 2004. Yes to drain, have no idea why as I was unconscious at the time. Hurt like the pain of a thousand swords when it was removed, but was over very quickly, thanks to a MW who warned me it was going to hurt but that she'd do it quickly and without stopping to get it over with.

Section 6 days ago no drain nor mention of one

NotNOtter, were you on the July 2008 thread with a different name? If you're who I'm thinking of, you had a little boy, and he was your 6th DC? Don't reply if you don't want to, I'm just being nosey!

Why do they use metal staples, surely that's unnecessary harm? I was lucky enough to have a brilliant surgeon, there was a small skinny line which is barely visible now and never had any problems with it.

No drain but had staples. apparently I'm the first woman ever to have a reaction to the metal! They were far worse than the actual wound.

I had a wound drain after my first section. I had 6 yes 6 different people trying to pull it out and then sent back to theatre with another spinal to have it removed. It was traumatic to say the least. the surgeon put it in because I had a large bleed (almost had blood transfusion too). With csection number 2 and different consultant I asked for wound drain to be avoided if at all possible. He said if it was needed he would put one in. Luckily it wasn't needed. I still have issues with birth no 1 nearly 5 years on, and due number 3 by csection in 8 weeks.

I will be stressing again that I do not want drain. Really interesting about NICE guidelines, I will be researching these and discussing with my consultant in a few weeks. Thanks for flagging this subject up.

I've had 2ELCS and have never required drains, neithervhave any of my friends.

I had staples once. They are subcutaneous (hold the very surface of the wound together) and I didn't feel a thing when they were removed.

I had a subcutaneous running stitch ladt time, held at the ends by a bead thing. That hurt like hell to have removed.

I've had 2 sections, drains both times, but staples only the first time. Same surgeon, and I had polyhydramnios. TBH I think if you're going to put yourself in the hands of someone's experienced surgical technique, it's fair enough to ask why some things are done, but a bit much to demand they do things a particular way. But then I had a surgeon I trusted totally.

I had three sections, dissolvable stitches, no drains.

Drains sound horrendous.

Same as 5inabed. 3 cs and only a drain with the last one... The pain was unspeakable. That was in 2005

1 emCS - no drains. Had staples - wound instantly felt better when they came out.

My surgeon DH (not gyn) says he would site a drains in wounds he'd anticipate to 'ooze' a fair bit as fluid collection = increased risk of infection.

I am sure you could stipulate 'no drains' ie withhold consent for a drain, but I am not sure that I, personally, would. Particularly not under GA when there might be v good reasons to put one in.
OTOH, to express a preference in a birthplan seems utterly sensible to me.

I had a drain following an EMCS due to a large bleed. Hated lugging it about in hospital when getting meals and removal was horrendous even though the nice midwife had warned me and gave me drugs 20 mins before....felt like she was pulling my insides out a bit at a time....as himalaya said makes me feel sick thinking about it

I had a drain for 2nd section of 4. That was the wrost pregnancy and birth and I feel quite strongly that it was very poor treatment of me from start to end. Yes yes to drain pain being horrendous.

Ive had 3 c-sections at the same hospital but all different surgeons.

Only the 3rd had a drain and it was bloomin uncomfy, i normally ping back from the op and this time was in agony as it turned out must have been sat on a nerve and it even took me over 30 mins to get out of bed and walk to the ensuite bathroom!!! I also just about hobbled over to scbu to see one of my twins but jeez the pain (apparently not normal!!) I wouldnt say it hurt to come out it felt bloomin odd though like a great fat snake going around your belly and makes me feel sick at the thought!!

The 3rd section was the only one I havent had an infection with aswell!!