C section - six weeks on

[Springbaby2023]

Hi, posting in here as low traffic on the post natal threads!

Just looking for some advice on whether I should be worried about where I’m at six weeks on from a c section.

A couple of weeks after my section my wound re-opened. Had antibiotics as a precaution though no sign of infection. Since then it is slowly closing and almost closed. Last week the skin around the middle part of my incision went really red. No sign of infection, no reopening. Faded massively in 24 hours so I’m assuming it was just chafing in the heat. Today a tiny scab where the one stitch was has fallen off leaving a tiny opening/ gap (I’m talking like a millimetre). No smelliness, no oozing, no temperature or other signs of illness so I’m assuming no infection.

My stomach is still tender to touch just above the scar but other than that no pain, and it’s only if I put pressure on it. Actually feeling really well and healthy in myself, if only this bloody incision would heal!

However, I’m also still having lochia. It is the yellow discharge type but still enough to be wearing a panty liner. Sometimes I’m worried it has a fishy smell, but I only think that at the end of the day when I’m really smelling for it (grim I know but I’m so paranoid!)

Does this all sound within the realms of normal?

The six week mark is bandied about as the time when you’ll be back to normal so I am just frustrated I still have both of these issues.

I should add I’ve definitely been overdoing it so no doubt it’s my fault!

Anyway my ‘six week check’ with the GP isn’t actually until my son is nine weeks old so I’m just wondering whether to contact them again or just be patient. (Contacted them twice so far about incision and both times had the clean and dry advice and told it looks fine).

I do suffer a bit with anxiety so I’m definitely paranoid and my first birth was vaginal and totally different recovery.

Also I go on holiday two weeks today and really wanted to go swimming but guess that’s off the table unless things change drastically!

Sorry for the long one!

Basically I’m worried I’ve got some internal infection that needs treating to clear the two issues up, but I feel so well in myself that I’m wondering if it’s just my anxiety taking over!

hopefully someone medical may be along with better advice, but in the meantime...have you taken your temperature? I was encouraged to do that as a way of monitoring for infections

I don't want to upset you, but in my experience (2 c-sections), it will be a fair bit longer than 6 weeks before you feel back to normal

@BernardBlacksMolluscs yep taken temperature and all fine. I have no issue with recovery taking a while (though it is frustrating) if that’s what’s normal, I think I’ve just heard so much about the six week mark that I was expecting to be magically ok.

I have booked a mummy MOT in July which I’m hoping will give me a better steer on how my recovery is going in terms of starting to exercise etc again. Just worried that I will end up ill before then without realising it.

it's hard because you're probably getting very little sleep, you've had abdominal surgery and you can't really rest because you have to carry this baby around!

normally I'd say listen to your body, but looking back, mine was all over the place and I wouldn't have known what it was saying to me!

so just keep on taking your temperature, if it's not normal or your wound doesn't look right go straight to the doctor, but try not to fret. nothing goes straight from bad to good, you've got to go through all the phases in between. it's normal not to feel quite yourself at this point

I agree with PP... It was definitely longer than 6 weeks before I felt back to normal. I was very much the same in that I definitely over did it in the first few weeks so still felt pain from my scar for quite a while. The lochia dragged on for ages for me as well. Mostly small amounts but sure I was still bleeding past 8 weeks. As for the smell and any other concerns, can you send an econsult to your GP, even just to put your mind at ease?

There are two separate issues here. The scar and the lochia.

From what you describe, your scar is healing fine. Your incision is slowly closing and healing, with no signs of infection such as oozing, smelliness, or fever. You saw the GP twice, all is good.

The redness around the middle part of the incision is likely caused chafing in the heat. Try wear loose clothing, nothing rubbing against it.

The location of the c-section scar can make healing difficult . Ideally you would lie in bed, reading novels and watch crap tv. But as mothers, we have to stand up and do stuff and a fair bit of carrying baby around. This slows healing. Be mindful of your scar during your daily activities, bending to grab a pot or pick up toys from the floor .

Now the lochia. Six weeks is still in the norm. A strong fishy smell is a red flag for infection, but from what you are saying, it is not really there, but more you trying to find it later in the day. Here again, I think you are going in the right direction.

Don't rule out the swimming. A scar can change dramatically in 14 days.

Thanks so much everyone, you’ve made me feel a lot better. I’ve been extra anxious tonight after bad sleep last night. You’re right it is difficult to rest, I have a toddler too and while I’ve been really good at not lifting him, I’ve definitely been overdoing it more than I would have been able to with just the baby.

I will give it a week and then if still worried then give the doctor a call as would be good to have more peace of mind before we go away. Hopefully things will have improved even a little bit in a week though which will put my mind at rest.

As you’re planning to go away, possibly go swimming, definitely get sweatier, I’d see your G.P and make sure your travel insurance covers you. It’s too a big a risk.

And yes @AnIntrovert its definitely me trying to find it so will just keep an eye (and nose!) out to check it doesn’t get worse

@Missingmyusername oh we’re only at a caravan park 90 mins away, nothing exotic enough to need travel insurance for (unfortunately!)