How to care for post caesarean wound infection

A caesarean section involves incision and sometimes the site of incision may fall prey to bacterial infection. The post caesarean wound infection is more common in the lower abdomen. The most common signs of the infection may include fever, wound sensitivity and lower abdominal pain. Factors that increase the risk of getting the caesarean wound infection  include  obesity, diabetes, chorioamnionitis during labour, intake of long term steroids, poor prenatal care, previous C-sections, lack of cautionary antibiotics and a long labour or surgery.

How is it diagnosed?

Some C-section wound infections may occur while the patient is still in the hospital while some infections may not appear until you are discharged from the hospital. In fact, most of the C-section wound infections usually take a couple of weeks to appear after the delivery. For the same reason, most C-sections are diagnosed at follow up visits. C-section wound infections are diagnosed by appearance of wound, process of healing, symptoms of common infection and presence of certain bacteria.

In order to diagnose and treat the infection, your doctor may need to open the wound.  If you have developed pus at the site of incision, your doctor may use a needle to remove it. The fluid may be tested for presence of bacteria.

How to treat it

In case of wound cellulitis, you will be asked to take antibiotics to clear up the infection. Antibiotics specifically target staphylococcal and streptococcal bacteria. Hospitals usually treat such infections with intravenous antibiotics. However, if you are being treated as an outpatient, you will be given antibiotics. Besides, antibiotics may also be prescribed for treating wound abscesses. Your doctor will open the incision throughout the infected area to drain the pus out. Once this is done, the area will be carefully washed and your doctor will put an antiseptic with gauze on it to prevent accumulation of pus. The wound will need to be regularly checked to ensure proper healing. After several days of antibiotic treatment and irrigation, your doctor will check the incision again. At this point, the wound may be closed again or allowed to heal on its own.

With proper checkups and treatment, the infection can be easily treated. Make sure you keep following up with your doctor after a caesarean.

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