Ooohh, my scar is leaking!

[Elf1981]

I had a c-section three weeks ago tomorrow. I was signed off by the midwife last Wednesday, and when she checked my scar that day, she said it was weeping slightly but it was to be expected because a) there was a stretch mark running down the middle of the scar and b) the clips they'd used to hold the stitch in place had caught on the skin.

It's a week ago since then and the scar is still weeping a whiteish fluid. Last night my DH had a look and he said he thought it smelt slightly, though I thought that could have been just sweat as it was in the evening and so I'd been dressed all day etc.

Does anybody have any experience of this? Did it clear up by itself or require a visit to the docs?

Though I've no experience of cs myself I'd be inclined to get a medical opinion to be on the safe side Elf. It would put your mind at rest if nothing else wouldn't it?

Go see the midwives. I know you've got your 6 week check coming up, but I'd be twitchy about this. If it's getting infected you want treatment asap.

I got a really clean scar both times, and I'm very sure I wasn't leaking three weeks later. I'm pretty sure I wasn't leaking one week later.

What sort of stitches do you have? Are they already out? And are you being "good" and resting a lot? Do you still have bad pain from the scar? Can you sneeze or cough without pain?

I've got the health visitor coming today, but am going to phone to see if a midwife can come see me too, as I'm sure the HV wouldn't be able to help.

I had that one stitch (it felt like a wire) which was clipped each side, taken out the day after I left hospital. I dont have any pain, only twinges sometimes when I'm sitting in an awkward position. Sneezing and coughing are fine (unfortunately got a bit of a chest infection at the mo so its a good job I can cough without hurting myself!!)

The past couple of days I've done a bit more, such as walking to and from the shop with DH & DD, and yesterday walked around town with my mum and sisters and baby. Dont really feel like I've overdone it, as I was told that walking was fine, but maybe I've just pushed myself a bit too far.

Did the leaking stop and then start again?

I always found that I'd get a bit overconfident, do something difficult (like lifting DS1, after DS2) and then the scar would hurt more for a few days.

I would get it checked just to be on the safe side.

I have had 3 sections and never had leaking more than a week after the op.

I've had 2 sections and had leaking both times. The Midwide had to do a swab and send it off. The tests confirmed an infection so I had to get a prescription from the DR.
The scar wasn't very painful, more uncomfortable. I was told afterwards that I should have been adding salt to my bath to help it heal, but no-one told me that at the time.

my scar stayed weepy and then opened up (about an inch or so) at around 4 weeks. It took 2 lots of antibiotics and another 3 months to heal, so yes, I would get yours checked out asap.

If I have another cs, I'll be utterly scrupulous about keeping it clean and drying it carefully - think lack of attention to it was what helped the infection develop last time.

Oh, yeah, I remember that, about keeping it dry. Not very pleasant, particularly when you're trying to pretend that part of your body doesn't even exist.

easy enough to convince yourself of that when you can't see it under your huge saggy belly though

Oh, but the huge saggy belly also didn't exist. Essentially, I was ignoring anything between ribcage and knees.