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Childbirth

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

Original poster

c-section drains?

33 replies

BibiTwo · 03/08/2005 15:36

Has anyone had a drain after a c-section? If so, do you know why it was put there? I had my section 9 months ago and was in the recovery ward with another lady who had a drain in hers. The scream she let out when the nurse removed it still leaves me cold when Ii think about it. I could also hear the nurse explain to her why she didn't tell her beforehand how painful it would be, as she thought it was best to get it over with without the patient anticipating that much pain. I'm having another baby in march and plan a c-section and want to avoid a drain if possible -does anyone know anything about them?

Thanks

OP posts:
uwila · 03/08/2005 15:47

I know a slight bit, but not in relation to a c-section. My sister had emergency surgery to operate on an infected woumb, not related to childbirth. She had a drain to allow the fluids to drain out to aid the healing. She told me of the excrutiating pain when they removed it. I can only guess this woman's drain had something to do with an infection (or preventing one). I myslef have had 2 caesareans and never had a drain. I know of no one who has had a caesarean and had a drain.

Perhaps you should ask the consultant what the hospital policy is and why one might have a drain and how likely that is to happen to you.

And, boy would I be mad if the nurse knew the pain she was about to inflict and didn't tell me. I think a patient has a right to be informed -- good or bad.

KBear · 03/08/2005 15:54

I had a c-section and had a drain. Don't know why, didn't ask, assumed it was normal procedure. When she removed it the nurse said "take a deep breath in" and whoosh it was gone - two second ouch, not exactly pain. I've also had one in my neck after thyroid surgery and that didn't hurt either.

WigWamBam · 03/08/2005 16:01

I had two drains when I had my section, I was told that I needed them to help drain the wound because it was deep and because I had lost a lot of blood.

Yes, it hurts like bggery - but only for the couple of seconds that they are actively pulling it out. The midwife who removed mine didn't tell me how much it was going to hurt, because she too felt that the anticipation would make the pain worse, but I have had them before so knew how much it would hurt - and the anticipation did* make it worse!

madmarchhare · 03/08/2005 16:01

Yes, I had one too and thought it was just normal procedure, excess fluid and all that. I expected it to be a bit uncomfortable when they took it out but it wasnt at all.

cutekids · 03/08/2005 16:36

i had one in for my first two caesarians but not my last one. the pain lasts about two seconds and it's not really pain-i don't think so anyway-more of a "pulling sensation" as the tube comes out! not nice but it's soon over. i remember the girl in the next bed to me-when i'd never experienced it...!-screaming at the midwife before she even got to her bed. She actually insisted on doing it herself..which was a disaster as there ended up blood everywhere--including the midwife!

WigWamBam · 03/08/2005 16:47

I have to disagree with the statement that it's not really pain; perhaps it was because mine were so deep but mine were extremely painful, and the midwife who removed them certainly expected them to hurt an awful lot. The first ones I had were when I had a lump removed from my breast, and having the drains removed was the most painful part of the procedure.

RedZuleika · 03/08/2005 17:12

I think - if crusty old memory serves me right - I read that some people recommend a drain after a Caesarean if you have a clotting disorder (eg. Factor V Leiden or antiphospholipid antibody syndrome) AND you're on anticoagulants after the birth. This probably isn't a terribly common occurrence, but it might explain some of the cases you've seen or heard of.

goldenoldie · 03/08/2005 17:17

I've had two c-sections and never had a drain put in - so don't think it is a standard proceedure?

biglips · 03/08/2005 17:21

Drain?!?! !! noone mentioned this to me as never heard of it!!! (i had my baba 9 months ago).. how do you know if it needed to be drained?, is it that your belly bloated suddenly?

biglips · 03/08/2005 17:21

(i had my section 9 months ago)

nutcracker · 03/08/2005 17:25

With my first 2 sections I didn't have a drain. I'm not sure why but I think it is something to do with how much you bleed during the surgery as to wehter they put one in or not.

My 3rd section was at a different hospital and I asked during the section if a drain would be put it and the surgeon said no. About 5 minutes later though he changed his mind and did put one in.

I'll be honest, it does hurt when they take it out but not dramtically so. On a scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being excruciating, i'd say it was a 6 or 7.
It's more of a strange sensation really as it moves along the scar.

Twiglett · 03/08/2005 17:33

I had a drain after my 2nd c-section (but not after my first)

TBH when they removed it it felt uncomfortable, weird and unnerving but it didn't actually hurt as such

biglips · 03/08/2005 17:34

how do you know if you need it?

maddyd · 03/08/2005 17:35

It does however hurt if you forget about it and leave the bag attached to the bed rail and then get out of bed as i did. My ds learnt his first swear word

Agree with others though, wierd sensation, unpleasant but doesnt really hurt. Youll find your quite numb around the scar area anyway.

biglips · 03/08/2005 17:37

doh!!! - i misread this thread as its at the time when you had given birth !!! didnt have a drain though

Twiglett · 03/08/2005 17:37

I think the surgeons have a pretty good idea when they're rummaging around in there biglips

biglips · 03/08/2005 17:38

i know, i know... i need to go and have a cuppa to chill out

aloha · 03/08/2005 17:47

I've also had 2 sections and no drain, and I've never heard of anyone having one either.

highlander · 03/08/2005 17:50

never heard of it. I certainly didn't have one.

Twiglett · 03/08/2005 17:53

I am now wondering whether my drain was in any way related to the junior surgeon saying 'oops'

CarolinaMoon · 03/08/2005 17:58

does blood drain out of it? or general fluids?

There was a woman in the bed opposite me on the postnatal ward (cs bay) who had blood draining into a little bottle that she had to carry around with her. She looked amazingly chilled about it.

Twiglett · 03/08/2005 17:58

I think liquefied brain cells drained out of mine

aloha · 04/08/2005 10:13

No Twiglett, that wasn't the drain, you silly. They take your brain cells out when they remove the placenta.

bundle · 04/08/2005 10:22

never had drain with either of my 2 c/s but also have deffo lost brain capacity, maybe when i wasn't looking.

eidsvold · 04/08/2005 12:00

two sections and no drain either....

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