CS scar - should I be worried?

[TooExtraImmatureCheddar]

I had a Caesarean 2 weeks ago (ELCS, dissolvable stitches, no drain or anything). At first the scar seemed fine, but now the right side has a hole at one end. It's 2 cm long, bleeds and weeps, and you can see weird white bits (not sure if this is pus - it doesn't wash away in the bath). The skin around it is pink and a bit raw looking. I made DH sniff it after my bath last night and he said he could smell something but he didn't know if it was bad or not and he couldn't describe the smell. Helpful.

When it first got a bit weepy on about Day 7 I showed it to my MW. She said to air dry it a lot, soak it in the bath and keep an eye on it, but said there was nothing to worry about. So I didn't worry and kind of ignored it. It's now a fair bit worse than it was but I've been signed off by the MW and she's away on holiday this week anyway, or I might have rung her to ask for advice. All I've done so far is bath it and dab a bit of breast milk on it.

Will it heal over on its own or do I need to go to the GP? I'm trying to let it air but that means lying flat on the bed with my pants pulled down (can't take them off due to lochia) which is not always convenient, especially with an inquisitive toddler going "mummy sore" and trying to stick her fingers in it. It's not really sore but the whole area is quite numb atm.

Thanks!

[Haggisfish]

Def back to gp and phone midwife.

[Haggisfish]

Back to gp ASAP-if they try and make you wait a week, tell them it's an emergency.

[SlicedAndDiced]

For the love of God don't trust your midwife, mine have all been next to useless.

Definitely go to your gp. I had no issues with my scar but my friend ended up back in hospital for weeks because of an infection in it.

[TooExtraImmatureCheddar]

Oh. Okay. I'll see if I can get an emergency appt. That was fast, thank you very much!

[CarrotCakeMuffins]

I also suggest seeing your GP today. Tell them it is urgent / an emergency.

It sounds like you may have an infection which can be easily treated with antibiotics. I had this after my first CS. It cleared up pretty quickly with medication.

Congratulations on your new baby.

[Inkspellme]

Definitely get doctors appointment as you may have an infection that needs anti biotics. I did after my second section and it was my dh who became worried due to a funny smell he said.

I found the air drying theory worse. cos it was after pregnancy I still had a tummy that hung over section cut (lovely image I know!) and it just generated a moist warm environment perfect for infection. I changed to stick on dresssings for a couple of weeks from when infection was diagnosed. The improvement and rate of healing was vastly improved.

hope you feel better soon.

[TooExtraImmatureCheddar]

GP surgery are triaging emergencies over the phone, so a doctor will call me at some point today. I only just got through because they were closed for staff training from 12 to 2.

[Haggisfish]

How did you get on op?

[TooExtraImmatureCheddar]

The doctor called back really quickly and after hearing my description, told me to come in so she could look at it. When I did, she swabbed it, gave me a prescription for antibiotics and told me to make an appt with the nurse to get it dressed. My nurse appt is tomorrow. The doctor was v nice and said it wasn't too bad atm but I had definitely come in at the right time before it could get worse. I've to phone for the results of the swab on Friday afternoon, and once that comes back I might need different antibiotics. The ones I've got are broad spectrum ones that are good for surgical infections, apparently, but the swab might show up something different. I also only have the standard dose just now and I might need it increased if it doesn't work. She said they might make my milk taste funny and disrupt DS's feeding, so she wanted to try me on the lower dose to begin with.

Thank you all for answering so quickly and spurring me to go to the GP!

[Haggisfish]

Hurray for good gps!