C section help
When does it get better? TW: emotional, any advice accepted
Had an elective section 20 days ago. I say elective but I felt really pushed into it by everyone as baby was large and I tore badly with my first. I was terrified the whole pregnancy of the section and had panic attacks during being prepped for surgery. Everyone told me their sections were great and recovery is smooth as long as you take it easy and take your meds, obviously they said you’re sore but no one warned me for what this is like.
On day 7 I had my dressing removed and was told that in the middle of my scar there was a “pin prick” sized hole that was open but not to worry about it, just use some gauze to keep it dry due to overhang and it will knit back together. The next midwife appointment said to absolutely not use gauze and to let air at it or it won’t heal. One said use tea tree oil one said use plain soap one said to do nothing. About 5 times up to tuesday past I have shown so many different midwives and nurses as my scar as it oozed A LOT, smelt horrendous and blood was coming from my urethra - All of whom said it was normal and looked fine and not to panic. Then on Monday night I was in bed and having the worst pains in my stomach I’ve ever experienced I lay crying in agony with the shakes feeling like I was cold but my skin was hot and that I could vomit. I went to EOU on Tuesday morning after ringing through the night in tears and they couldn’t believe the midwives discharged me with a scar like mine and had gave me such conflicting advice every time I seen them.
My scar is very open and very infected, I’m on antibiotics and it’s been packed and dressed again and will be once a week at the hospital for the next few weeks until it begins to heal. I’m going to see the same doctor every appointment too to keep advice streamlined. I’m well aware there are women who have suffered significantly worse infections and complications due to sections planned and unplanned and I’m in no way even putting myself in the same bracket as them.
I just feel so let down and lied to. I do have common sense and knew recovery would be hard but nothing prepared me for this. I am so so sad. How did none of these medical professionals pick up on this infection when it was obvious, not one took me seriously. I love my little boy so much and everytime I see his little face it makes everything so worth it. I hate being in pain holding him, I hate seeing other mummies being up and about and I can’t even pull myself off the sofa still. My partner returns to work night shifts on Monday and I’m so scared to not have his support while he’s away. I just want to feel well enough to be able to lightly tidy the house and carry my baby in our sling we bought.
Soooo, girls who have had something similar - when does it get better? Please tell me it does lol.
I also can’t poop, so that’s great craic too
If you read all this thank u 💕
I am so sorry you’ve had to experience this! So my experience is slightly different but I hope it can help. I went in for an induction that ended with an emergency C-section. I started healing so well had the dressing removed day 5 and it was all closed and looked great. However I had a headache which I assumed was due to postpartum. Day 7 headache was still there and pain was increasing in my scar area as well as my feet swelling. Took myself to A&E as maternity insisted it wasn’t recovery related. 4/5 hours later I get rushed to maternity as I have high infection markers and treated for sepsis. Took them till day 10 to even figure out it was a skin infection from the C-section and my abdomen was filled with pus. They drained some and sent me home with antibiotics. Day 14 pain switched sides went back to maternity infection spread further in abdomen and had to go for an emergency operation where they had to drain and remove the pus and infected areas. 1/2