c-section incision infection ?

ILoveRunning

Hey all, I was wondering if anyone else had complications with their c-section related to an infection of the incision site.  More specifically, I'm wondering if the infection has had any bearing on your hopes to VBAC (or even have a repeat c-section).  I do plan on discussing this with my provider prior to becoming pregnant (not for several years), but was interested to see if anyone else had any experience.  Because of the extent of infection, my incision was re-opened and a nurse came daily (at my home) for three weeks to pack wound with water, and iodine gauze.  I believe that the infection never spread beyond fascia (fiber covering the muscles), although I did end up with a fever that was ultimately treated with antibiotics.

Also, if you had an infection, was your wound closed with staples, and when were they removed?  They tried to remove the staples ~16 hours after surgery (which turned out to be an error on the doctor's part, only noticed because of my diligence) and then did so ~36 hours.  I felt uncomfortable about it at the time (and did ask about it) but they insisted it was safe.  I still feel like this may have contributed, or even caused, the infection. 

 

Nov5Mrs.

I had no complications with my first, but had an infection with my 2nd C-section. I had staples with the 1st which were removed the day I left the hospital (day 4). With the second I requested suchres (spelling?) instead of staples and the doc (who was younger than the doc who did my other c-section) said she didn't use staples anyay. I was hoping to vbac with #2, but had to have the c-section. I'm hoping t VBAC with #3 if we decide to have another.

Jb&Jb

i had an infection and the incision opened up in an area about 1" long.  it was staph and i had the nurses come out to my house to clean out the wound as well for for several weeks.  i had a second flare that we thought was infection but ended up being a suture that still hadn't dissolved about 6 months later.  the spot had to be opened up again.  none of this had any bearing on my ability to vbac.  it wasn't even brought into question when deciding if i was a good candidate or not.  good luck!

 eta:  i did not have staples.  only sutures.

MAprincess

I had sutures (no staples) and it did get infected (about one inch on one end).  I actually cleaned in myself and it cleared up on it's own.  No bearing on my VBAC.  I have never heard this affecting a VBAC but it is best to check with your doctor, obviously.

ILoveRunning

MAprincess:

I had sutures (no staples) and it did get infected (about one inch on one end).  I actually cleaned in myself and it cleared up on it's own.  No bearing on my VBAC.  I have never heard this affecting a VBAC but it is best to check with your doctor, obviously.

I didn't think it would, but I had a friend who's OB insisted that she couldn't VBAC because of the infection.  I'm not overly concerned right now, but was interested to see if anyone else had heard anything similar.

MAprincess

ILoveRunning:

MAprincess:

I had sutures (no staples) and it did get infected (about one inch on one end).  I actually cleaned in myself and it cleared up on it's own.  No bearing on my VBAC.  I have never heard this affecting a VBAC but it is best to check with your doctor, obviously.

I didn't think it would, but I had a friend who's OB insisted that she couldn't VBAC because of the infection.  I'm not overly concerned right now, but was interested to see if anyone else had heard anything similar.

It is also possible that her doctor was just looking for a reason to veto the VBAC.  That is why they have second opinions!  But I don't know how extensive her infection was.

byrne15

My incision became infected 10 days after delivery...

I went to get my staples removed at 10 days pp and felt that my incision was still very sore, red and puffy, but the DR seemed to think it looked ok.  Later that day the swelling, redness and pain increased and it became too much.  I went in the following day to have them look at it.  The right side of my incision was completely swollen and red.  The DR had to open it and drain it.  I changed my dressings for the next few weeks (I work at the hospital).

Anyway, I havent even gotten into how this will impact my ability to VBAC, but my RE was concerned that the infection may have cause scar tissue to form around my tubes.  I had an HSG and my tubes were slow to fill, but clear.  So apparently the infection didn't impact my fertility (although I feel differently).

+diana82+

I had staples, they were removed at my 2 week check up. They did a swab at that appt because a small area looked a little inflamed or something, and it came back that I did have a little infection. I never noticed anything in terms of issue or discomfort or whatever. They gave me an RX and it went away without an issue.

Luv4Minnesota

I had an infection that sounds similar to yours.  At my 1 week pp appt I saw a NP and she didn't think it was infected but I did b/c it was inflamed and puffy.  She did a swab and called the next day to say it was and put me on antibiotics. 

The next day it started oozing and was hurting more.  Turns out it was totally infected and was not closing.  DH had to pack my wound (1 inch in one direction and 4 inches in another, GROSS!) for several weeks and at 4 weeks pp it was still not healing completely so I had a 2nd surgery to reopen the entire incision and clean everything. 

With the initial c-section I had sutures, but with the 2nd surgery it was closed with staples that they left in for 2 weeks. 

As for affecting my VBAC--this is probably a lot of the reason I want to VBAC.  My recovery was SO AWFUL that I can't imagine risking going through that again.  I have never thought about it being an issue with my scar or being more risky to VBAC. 

MommyMar2010

Mine opened up also, I had staples--which were removed 2 days PP--I was VERY freaked out by this also and scared b/c a resident came to take them out and I was like "umm how is this not going to open up!?"  --and sure enough, a few days later when I got home, it did open up about 1/2" and I had to go back to the doc and get it drained....and was put on antibotics (which gave me a HORRID yeast infection like you dont even know).......

Anyone know if there is any relation to staples vs. stitiches in terms of how many women get infections or have wounds open up?  I feel like many women get more infections from staples...maybe its WHEN the staples were removed that makes the difference...

ILoveRunning

Luv4Minnesota:

As for affecting my VBAC--this is probably a lot of the reason I want to VBAC.  My recovery was SO AWFUL that I can't imagine risking going through that again.  I have never thought about it being an issue with my scar or being more risky to VBAC. 

I have to totally agree with you.  My labor and c-section were tough, but the recovery was absolutely hellish and made me feel more vulnerable and scared for my life then anything else I can remember.  I really don't want to go through that experience again and hope that when I get pregnant again I will be able to VBAC.