Infected 2nd degree tear

[DorothyWasRightTho]

Just wondering if anyone had any experience of this? I am 10 days PP and the midwife checked my stitches today and seemed very concerned, she said it’s infected and used the word necrotic and sent me to the GP immediately for antibiotics and a swab. I was so upset and it was so rushed I can’t remember everything she said and I’m just so worried. Any reassuring stories/experiences/advice anyone can share would be great.

I had split stitches and an infection. However it was caught pretty early as I also had a high fever and felt awful. Antibiotics sorted it out but it was an awful few days I'm afraid. They didn't re-stitch as it was too swollen from infection. So it healed like it was. Second child and second tear meant it got fixed properly. It's good that your midwife has had a look and you're on your way to getting the help that you need. Do you have support?

Oh that sounds awful. I have already had mastitis this week and had a temp from that. All of last night I was sweating buckets again so I guess that could be from this infection. Hope the antibiotics kick in soon.
Yeah got a lovely supportive partner and mum. It’s just been a really long ten days - long labour, then back in hospital with jaundice, then the mastitis now this! All coupled with lack of sleep is just all getting on top of me a bit.

Oh you poor thing. Mastitis is awful too. And to have it so soon is rotten luck. The sweating may just be normal hormone stuff post birth so not necessarily related although probably exacerbated by two infections. Good to hear you have great support. Keep feeding the baby if you can as the oxytocin will help get you through (as well as help clear up the mastitis)

I had this too. Midwife did the swab at home though. Was on strong abx (metronidazole, I think) and there was some concern that I might have to stop breast feeding which made me feel even worse, but pharmacist said it was ok. Hope you’re on the mend soon OP. Incidentally, I had mastitis several times too and felt absolutely dreadful, but the antibiotics for that kicked in very quickly.

By the way, when the midwife examined me, she described the wound as ‘gaping’ which conjoured up all sorts of horrible images!

Poor you! I had this too and popped a stitch. It was horrible! I was really scared because the midwife didn’t seem to know who to send me to as it was a Saturday but I went to an out of hours GP who was just heroic. She had been through it too! She cleaned the infection out for me and gave me antibiotics and a cream and I think I switched from salt baths to detol ones. DH checked it every night for me (honestly I couldn’t bear to look) to be sure it was getting better. It DID get better. And everyone who sees my scar now tells me it’s healed really well.

Oh an midwife described its as ‘offensive’ and the infection as potentially ‘tunnelling’ (it wasn’t). It felt like a horror story and I will never forgive them for not washing me after the birth but all is well now!

Oh it is reassuring to hear other similar stories, thank you everyone. Yep I think mine said gaping and necrotic which I should absolutely not have googled. GP was useless, gave me absolutely no advice and seemed almost annoyed I was just breastfeeding. Will keep baby close for lots of cuddles and oxytocin, I think his soft little head and his smell are the thin thread keeping my sanity together at this point

Aww, enjoy this time with your little son - it goes so quickly! Mine are nearly all teens now.

I had a 'gaping' infected second degree tear caught at five days, the antibiotics sorted it but the 'gape' took a long time to heal normally. The first time I dared look with a mirror was some time after. I'm glad I didn't look sooner!

Then I thought DD had a temp at 13 days and rushed her to the GP he checked us both and said 'she's fine - you need antibiotics' really early mastitis.

I got mastitis again a bit later too, not caught as early and I was sick as a dog.

Count the uti I had in late pregnancy and I'd had four courses of antibiotics in two months by the time she was 5 weeks!

To quote SIL 'oh dear, you really want to avoid antibiotics if you can, they get passed on and are so harsh on little tummies'. Thanks SIL.

(Her first was born 8 months later, when hers was about 9 months old she got mastitis so bad she ended up with sepsis, I refrained from commenting on her treatment options)

Yes i think I might avoid looking again for a while ☹️ I was so focused on getting through the birth and how difficult that would be, I didn’t really think that much about the recovery afterwards. Assumed I would be sore and tired etc but nothing like this.

Also what a helpful SIL @Frlrlrubert! Thankfully my mastitis seems to have cleared up fingers crossed and sleeping and feeding have been a bit easier the last day or so. Hopefully that will continue

It might be worth taking some probiotics, (those little yoghurt actimel type drinks) to reintroduce the good bacteria if you are taking antibiotics while breastfeeding. I got thrush in my nipples/in baby’s mouth after a course of antibiotics for infected stitches and it was horrendous. I was later told the probiotics might have helped prevent it.

Does anyone know if it’s safe to have a bath if I make sure It’s completely dry after? I feel like it would help keep it cleaner than just a shower and I can put some tea tree oil in (midwife said it was okay to put this on a pad) I just can’t remember what she said about the bath

My midwife swore by putting some baddedas bubble bath in the water when bathing to help with healing. I swear she had shares in it as we all used it on her recommendation!