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Childbirth

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

Original poster

Section scar is really staring to hurt - Help!

21 replies

ButterPie · 25/12/2009 22:26

DD2 was born by planned section on the 16th Nov (my second section) Healing was going brilliantly, no painkillers from about a week after the op. For the last week or so it has been hurting, but I just thought I had overdone it slightly. Last night it started stinging quite a bit and has been getting progressively worse through the day. I have been trying to ignore it and just taking the recommended dose of painkillers and I had a good soak in the bath at around midday but now it is occasionally making me gasp with the pain and is constantly aching. The scar looks fine, if very slightly red. I have codeine but I am co sleeping so can't really take it this late at night. I don't want to ring NHS direct as they ALWAYS tell you to go to A+E, which would mean a taxi as we don't drive and it would be a proper ball-ache as well if it is nothing. I go to my mums across the country tomorrow, although she is a nurse so I suppose she can have a look at it.

What can I do to ease the pain and should I be worried?

OP posts:
FluffyForLifeNotJustForXmas · 25/12/2009 22:34

You could possibly have an infection there. Can you call the post natal ward and see what they say?

confuddledDOTcom · 25/12/2009 22:39

Does it look red(der) or angry - like there might be an infection? Are you breastfeeding?

Those are the two most obvious things I can think of - that it's either an infection or the way you feed, if you're breastfeeding it could be tightenings because of the hormones.

Does the pain feel like it's coming from inside or outside? I know when I have pains inside HCPs automatically think I'm talking about the external one.

I would always speak to your MW or HV if you are worried or not sure, they've heard it all before so don't worry you're being silly ror anything.

blueshoes · 25/12/2009 22:41

Butterpie, that does not sound right. A few twinges or pulls as you get more active is normal but not quickly escalating pain that makes you gasp more than a month later.

Do you have any fever? Could be a sign of infection. I would definitely get it checked out. Can you call your out-of-hours GP, if you don't want to go to A&E?

I would call NHS Direct even if they said to go to A&E.

Do you have any painkillers left over from when you left the hospital. I was given co-dydrmol, otherwise use paracetamol. Not sure whether nurofen helps.

jabberwocky · 25/12/2009 22:41

5 - 6 weeks post-op seems too far out to have pain just from overdoing it. Especially what you describe. You are going to have to get it checked out.

Original poster
ButterPie · 25/12/2009 22:46

I am breastfeeding, but pain doesn't seem to get worse then. For some reason it always gets worse when I need a wee though. I also have a splitting headache if that is relevant?

Pain feels like a combination of outside and slightly inside.

Meh. It's Christmas. I really don't want to be messing about.

OP posts:
FluffyForLifeNotJustForXmas · 25/12/2009 22:47

Give the post natal ward a ring, they are better at advising you then us

confuddledDOTcom · 25/12/2009 22:55

Sounds like an infection. When you need a wee the bladder could be pressing on the infection.

Original poster
ButterPie · 25/12/2009 22:58

I am going to have to ring the bloody hospital aren't I? MEH I tell thee.

OP posts:
Original poster
ButterPie · 25/12/2009 23:00

And now I realise i don't have the number for the ward, as it was in the pregnancy notes, which have gone back to the hospital...

OP posts:
YanknChristmasCrackers · 25/12/2009 23:02

Yes, definitely call post-natal ward! They will be more experienced with stuff like this. Thinking back to my own section, the pain doesn't sound normal at this stage. I had a mild infection that was able to be treated without oral antibiotics, but it did need treatment with antibiotic cream. Would be worried that it's accompanied by headache.

YanknChristmasCrackers · 25/12/2009 23:02

oops xposted, can you call hospital's general switchboard and ask to be put through to the labour ward?

Original poster
ButterPie · 25/12/2009 23:04

Google to the rescue! Right, ringing now, will report back.

OP posts:
Original poster
ButterPie · 25/12/2009 23:09

They said they can't advise me as the baby is over 28 days old and I should see my GP or A+E if the pain becomes unbearable. Suppose I can see the out of hours doctor near my mums if need be.

OP posts:
Original poster
ButterPie · 25/12/2009 23:10

Thanks everyone btw

OP posts:
YanknChristmasCrackers · 25/12/2009 23:12

FFS, that's really unhelpful isn't it?

I do think you should be worried though, I really wouldn't leave it, not with the headache as well. Can you get to A&E? Or try calling your GP's number and getting through to the out of hours service?

KristinaM · 25/12/2009 23:17

sorry i don't have any good advice except to add to the consensus that its not normal and you need to be seen. sorry

Original poster
ButterPie · 25/12/2009 23:34

A+E would be a £20 return trip normally. God knows what it would be today. Plus I'd have to wake the ILs up to borrow the car seat. Really want to avoid that if at all possible. Pain has calmed down now, maybe it will go away if I go to bed?

OP posts:
FluffyForLifeNotJustForXmas · 25/12/2009 23:47

If it's not gone by now then it will still be there in the morning, if not worse. You can't put a price on your health. Can you phone NHS direct and ask to be seen by the out of hours if you don't fancy A&E?

YanknChristmasCrackers · 26/12/2009 22:44

How is it today Butterpie?

Original poster
ButterPie · 27/12/2009 20:50

It calmed down, still flaring up every now and again, but I am with my mum now, so I'm confident she can spot if it gets worrying. If it it still like this in a day or two I will get to the local out of hours doodah. My postnatal check will probably be soon, so I can mention it to the GP then as well.

OP posts:
blueshoes · 27/12/2009 21:38

Glad your mum is there with you. Hope it goes well.

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