C section

andfear_2

How long till I feel better?
i'm 6 weeks PP and just started a course of anti biotics - my stomach is on fire and swollen. Feeling hot and dizzy. Anyone had this b4? my incision is lovely and healed... Just looking for moral support and a few I've been theres!

a x

Walk_Me_Home_Cheddar

I've been there! I've had an emergency c section and a planned one and both times I've wound up with problems afterwards. The first time I felt like I had the flu but the scar itself was fine, the second time I had some tenderness and swelling around the scar but felt (mostly) well.

Both times I saw my GP and got antibiotics and both times it didn't help and I wound up back at the hospital! I was prescribed stronger antibiotics each time and everything was fine.

Enjoy your little one!

FatVonD

I had a C section and didn't have any problems like that at all which is not much help, I know, but more to let you know that what you are experiencing isn't run of the mill and to make sure you don't just put up with it thinking it's normal!

peachyprice

Doesn't sound right to me either, if you don't think the AB's are working don't be afraid to go back to the docs, 6 week PP you should be very much on the mend if not pretty much back to normal.

Person_one

I know we're not supposed to give medical advice here, but if I were you I'd be ringing NHS Direct or whatever its called these days. Do you have a thermometer to check how hot you are? What's your pulse?

andfear_2

temp is 36.8 and pulse 80 @ rest.

I think i'll ring my gp tomorrow and ask to see someone. I had a messy delivery I had 4 large uterine fibroids so more cutting.

Its hard cos I know ive gained weight since the birth.

Maybe its part exhaustion as baby is very much a night owl:o

thanks for everyones input, not quite as reassuring as I hoped

Ax

building_with_lego

Ring the surgery first thing and tell them you need to see someone (i.e. don't ask, STATE your need). Or would you feel better calling 111 tonight?

Tigsteroonie

I was kept in hospital for 2 weeks after my c/s due to infection in the incision*, they really didn't want to release me at two weeks but I'd have walked out at that point (despite my son still being on NICU) I was going that crazy!!! If I remember correctly, it took me about 5 weeks to heal up and I was on various antibiotics during that time.

*Not for the squeamish (highlight to read!) - My incision reopened after a week. I was stood at my son's incubator, and felt dripping on my right foot. I looked down, expecting to see maybe some condensation from below the inci - I was bleeding all the way down the right side of my body! I looked like something out of a horror movie! I was swiftly sat in a wheelchair, wrapped in hospital sheets, and returned to the postnatal ward where the doctor announced it to be 'overflow' through the open end of the incision. They used maternity towels stuck inside the waistband of my knickers to absorb the blood until it stopped. I guess it's not really surprising that it then got infected :rotfl:

building_with_lego

I shan't quote you, Tigsteroonie, but _pale_ gosh, c-sections are thought to be the 'easy' way to give birth.... I know which way I'd rather do it!

Walk_Me_Home_Cheddar

I thought it might have been exhaustion with my first but I knew it wasn't just tiredness when I was shivering and sweating (and generally felt like I'd been hit with the flu). The first lot of antibiotics seemed to work because I felt better but it only lasted about a week before I started feeling terrible again. They then sent me for an ultrasound scan to check there wasn't any retained matter (which would apparently be unusual for a section because they get to clear it all out properly while they're in there). Everything was clear on the scan. A second course of antibiotics (can't remember if they were different or just more of the same) sorted it out though.

With my second section, when my stomach was hot and swollen, I was told to take the antibiotics for about four days and if there was no improvement I had to go straight back. There wasn't, so my GP sent me back to the maternity ward. He thought they might keep me in for some intravenous antibiotics but they sent me home with some stronger antibiotics and the instruction to come straight back if there was no improvement after a few days (or if I felt any worse). Fortunately the second lot of antibiotics did the trick. I've been completely fine since although I've come to the conclusion that I'm not very good at surgery.

I'd echo what other people have said - if you're still not feeling right then go back. The last thing you need with a new baby is to be feeling terrible yourself and you certainly don't want to end up back in hospital if you can help it.

marisco_2

Sorry to hear you are not feeling good. I hope the course of antibiotics you are now on help to settle all the unpleasant symptoms you are suffering right now.