Because a C-Section is abdominal surgery, there is the risk of infection, so knowing how to identify c-section infections will help you prevent delays in your recovery and also avoid additional hospital stays.
Here is a run down of the c-section infections that can occur and how you might avoid them:
External C-Section Infections
After having a c-section, the site of your incision is vulnerable to bacterial infections. In the hospital, the nurses will show you how to properly care for your incision site but when you get home it will be extremely important for you to keep a close eye on your incision daily so that any changes that occur are easily noticed.
With an infection at the surgical site, you may notice swelling, redness or fluid coming from the incision. The fluid could be blood if you have reopened your incision in some way. Fluid that looks more like pus signals that there could be an infection in progress.
If the area is infected it could be warm and/or very tender to the touch. You might also experience some abdominal pain.
If you are concerned about an infection, contact your doctor immediately. He can tell you what is likely going on and if you have to be seen.
Internal C-Section Infection
Infection can also occur inside your body after a c-section. Remember that it was not only your skin that was cut open during the c-section procedure, your uterus was also cut which means you also have internal uterine stitches. These stitches also must heal in order for your uterus to return to normal.
Unfortunately, you won’t see the same outward signs of infection as you would with you external stitches, but you might have the abdominal pain.
As the body’s white cells rush to fight the infection, you could also develop a fever and chills as a result. If your fever is over 100 degrees and there are no signs of problems at the incision site, something is going on inside your body.
An infection in the bladder can also occur. Sometimes this happens after having had a catheter. You’ll know something is wrong if you have painful urination or blood in the urine.
Foul-smelling vaginal discharge could indicate a uterine infection. Both of these types of infections will require contacting your doctor.
Another type of infection, yet more serious, that can occur is something known as Septicemia. This is a bacterial infection that spreads to the bloodstream. This is the most dangerous type of infection following a C-section and if detected requires immediate medical attention.
Septicemia is identified by a sudden spiking fever as well as rapid heart rate, rapid breathing and chills. If untreated this can lead to septic shock which is identified by low blood pressure, hypothermia, confusion and problems with blood clotting.
If you sense or recognize that you may have any type of infection, contact your doctor immediately. The quicker an infection can be treated, the faster you'll heal.
Prolonged infections can lead to more dangerous complications and seriously delay your c-section recovery.
Elizabeth is the author of the Worry Free C-Section, A C-Section birth preparation and recovery guide written for moms preparing to have a C-Section and want to avoid the risks, pain and recover quickly. Visit her at http://www.worry-free-c-section.com/blog