Surgery to flush out infection from c section

[leopard23]

I had a c section at the start of July and after about 7 days I noticed two golf ball sized lumps either side of the wound. The wound had healed really well, there were no openings at all. I went to maternity triage and was given antibiotics. After two doses, the wound opened up on one side and fluid started to come out. It was horrendous.

Since then, I've had 7 courses of antibiotics and although the lumps have gone down, the wound has never healed.

I had an ultrasound today and they found two 'collections' of fluid (aka puss) underneath the wound - one of which is very deep in the tissue. I'm waiting to speak to a doctor about it; but I spoke to the maternity department again this afternoon and they said it was likely I'd have to have surgery to reopen the wound, flush it out and close it again with the hope it will heal without issue this time. I'm devastated and tbh, terrified. DD is 9 weeks old and I can't believe I'm still not recovered after a very easy recovery with my first c section in 2021.

I did have a uterine rupture with this birth, but I don't think that's had anything to do with it. I think I picked up an infection during the surgery.

Has anyone else experienced this? Keen to know what the recovery is like. Is it like having another section?

Obs anaesthetist

It's not common, but it's definitely not uncommon (more likely if smoke/high bmi). Recovery will be better than a section as they'll only need to make small openings then squirt the saline into the hole to wash it

You can choose if you would prefer it under spinal or GA. If you have to have a drain they can be a bit more uncomfortable but only normally stay in a few days max. They should put you on a post natal ward so baby can be with you. GA won't affect beeast feeding if you are

Hope you're better soon

@Destiny123 this is really helpful, thank you. Good to know they won't need to reopen the wound entirely as that was my worst fear.

I have a high BMI - I didn't realise that could have been a contributing factor... makes me feel even worse!