Bleeding from caesarean incision - starting to get upset :(

[Rosieeo]

I had an emergency section last Friday (13th!) and for the first week it was fine, no probs, but since the weekend it has been bleeding on and off - sometimes enough to soak a dressing or sanitary towel.

My midwife said it didn't look infected, took a swab and said to clean it with Witch Hazel and cover with a towel. The next day she got the out of hours GP to prescribe some antibiotics just in case.

Yesterday I saw a different mw who said it look fine and that she wasn't at all concerned about it.

Last night and today it has been bleeding again. It isn't painful, just a stinging sensation when I stand or twist, but I have been doing NOTHING but sitting on the sofa feeding (DH has been fab, bless him) and I'm starting to get really upset that it isn't healing. DH has to go back to work soon and I have a 3 yo DD to look after too

Has anyone had this after a section and can you tell me what happened/what was wrong/ what you did or if you have any ideas on what I should do?

Thanks so much.

Rx

I had a little bit of bleeding which stopped after a week ish.

Keep it really clean and change dressing regularly. Try to get your 3yr old to do as much as she possibly can herself.

Take it easy easy easy to allow healing to continue.

In my case there was nothing wrong but I think I did a little bit too much first few days! After that I went on total strike. (easier to do as I only had 1 small thing to deal with)

Can you ask anyone for help with anything? If you can, do it!

Congratulations!

Is it bleeding from your actual scar where you were cut?

If so, get yourself down to the GP. Mine was fucked up by the hsopital and I had to go private to fix it 15 months after DS1 was born.

Rosie, congratulations on arrival of baby! What did you have?

As fas as your CS wound goes, I am sure you will be fine. You had major abdominal surgery just 10 days ago and a bit of weeping is not at all uncommon. The burning discomfort when you stretch or twist is normal.
I am assuming that you are feeling well enough in yourself, you have no fever, you are not vomiting and have no tummy pain, yes?
Antibiotics will help prevent an infection, but are often used unnecessarily IME.
The CS scar is usually placed inside a natural skinfold and this can sometimes interfere with quick healing. Are you much overweight - sorry for asking - if so, again this can slow healing down a bit.
Make sure you are eating well, protein and zinc are important for wound healing as is iron. Are you anaemic?
After a bath/shower dab your wound dry with a clean towel and then blowdry it with hairdryer on LOWEST setting, sounds daft, but works.
Otherwise, if it is making you upset, go and see your GP. This is bread and butter stuff we see all the time and usually does not mean an awful lot. Sometimes a couple of butterfly sutures (steristrips) can help.

HTH.

By the way, It IS healing. Don't worry about that. It's just quite a bigger cut than usual - a major operation is what you've had.

BTW, I had elCS 5 years ago, healed ok, pain for 1 week, then wierd discomfort for a few months, but took about 1 year before the skin/scar felt "normal" again.

Thanks for such quick replies

WowOoo - Thankfully my family are great and will help out if needed. DD is a little trooper too and will do things for herself and help out where she can - bring nappies etc.

Nabster - It is from the actual incision. I wasn't sure about calling the GP as I thought I'd just be referred back to the labour wards and from there to my mw? But if it continues I will definitely call.

Mummyfor3 - I feel fine in myself thanks, only a little discomfort around the scar and no other pain or sickness. I am overweight though, which I'm sure doesn't help. Because there were no problems the first time, I thought it would be the same again I was given iron tablets when I left the hospital and am still taking them, but I am eating well too - really must shift some weight now! I can also get some steristrips if they can help. Nice to know it isn't uncommon so thank you

I had a little boy, who has been a superstar and is, imho, gorgeous too. Things are pretty fab atm and I just want to get on with things and avoid thinking about emergecy c-sections again, lol.

Once again, thanks!

That all sounds ok, Rosie!

Go see GP if worried so you can stop worrying and concentrate on enjoying wee boy

I saw my GP today. He had the nurse take off the dressing and it must have started bleeding a fair bit as the look on their faces was not impressive

The nurse re-dressed it and the doctor said that he thinks there is a haematoma (sp?) behind the scar that keeps draining out. He wants me to come back tomorrow and says that I may have to go back to the hospital if he's not happy with it.

Has anyone had this before? Do you think I'd be admitted or will it just be a procedure? Totally pig-sick of the whole thing now. Arg!!

A haematoma is basically a big bruise, ie a collection of clotted blood behind the wound, which will drain everytime the dressing is removed. In a way, as long as it drains, you are well and not in pain, all is good. Main problem can be if haematoma gets infected: you'd know as there would be more pain and you'd feel unwell, fluey.
Your Gp might be keen for a hospital RV. At worst they might need to drain the haematoma. They will try and avoid that if possible.

No wonder, you are fed up! Hope everything will settle. Good luck.