Identifying Infections After
Cesarean Sections

Remember, you've just been through major abdominal surgery. An infection here is not a hang-nail inconvenience.

It is a serious situation that could require months (or even years) of recovery.

Fortunately, only 1 or 2 of every 20 cesareans develops an infection.

The most common places for infections after cesarean sections are in and around the uterus, the urinary tract, and the incision itself.

Quick Skip to the Headlines

• Identifying the Infections
• Type of Infections
• Treating the Infections

Signs of an External Infection

Sometimes the strong adhesive tape can remove a layer of skin, opening the door for bacteria to colonize, multiply, and invade, so your incision may feel very tender and raw. An allergic reaction plus removing a layer of skin increases your chances of infection, where antibiotics may be necessary.

At first the wound may itch, but tenderness and drainage could be the first signs of infection. Keep the area clean and dry to prevent an external infection and call your doctor if you have increased redness, swelling, heat or pain.

Signs of an Internal Infection

• A strong foul-smelling odor around the wound.
• A lot of discharge out of the wound: lime green, pink, brown, any color should be seen by a doctor. (a little discharge at the beginning is normal.)
• A temperature of 100.5 or more for longer than 4 hours.
• If the incision progressively seems puffy, red, and more painful to touch.
• If your lower abdomen seems to be more hard and firm.
• If you develop flu-like symptoms.

A split incision may also be a sign that you are not taking your recovery slow enough. Know your limits at home and avoid a return trip to the hospital.

Down to the Infection Nitty Gritty

If you feel you have an infection and have some of the symptoms above, do not rest until you receive treatment. Even if your doctor says it is normal, seek a second opinion about your condition.

An infection left unattended and uncared for can have disastrous results: loss of feeling, loss of fertility, and sometimes (in severe cases) loss of life. Find answers. Get treated.

Three common bacterial infections acquired by women hospitalized for cesarean sections include:

Natural Bacteria on Your Skin (Stephlococcus is the Most Common)

Bacteria spreading from the uterus to adjacent organs may result in these organs forming scar-tissue connections with your reproductive organs, which may lead to infertility.

Psuedomonas

Another hurtful bacteria that could find its way to your wound during surgery is Psuedomonas. It is often resistant to singular antibiotics, so is usually treated with two or more at a time. It often causes a greenish discharge. In more serious cases, surgery has to be done to remove the infected area.

E-Coli

Treating an External Infection

Keep the incision as dry as possible. Sweating and wetness will encourage an infection. If the infection doesn't seem to improve, your doctor may prescribe some antibiotics or an antimicrobial wash and cream.

Treating an Internal Infection

He (or you) may request further testing (like an X-ray, CT, or MRI) of the area to be sure that a sponge or other foreign object was not accidentally left behind after surgery. This is extremely serious, since your body will not be able to break down the object on its own. You will need to be opened up and the item manually removed.

A Wound Vac is another tool doctors use to help remove infection from a wound. It keeps the area clean and viable until it can be reclosed. A Wound Care Specialist can provide another opinion for treatment on your infection.

Worst case scenario, you may need reconstructive surgery to cut away diseased flesh and reattach the healthy tissue to healthy tissue.

Infections after cesarean sections can often be prevented by keeping the incision clean, dry, and exposed to the air as much as possible during those first few weeks.

If you experience progressive surgical-area redness, swelling, heat or pain, visit your doctor for evaluation and possible antibiotic treatment.

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