 |
| Image courtesy of arztsamui/freedigitialphotos.net |
A C-section is classed as a major operation and quite rightly so. During a C-section, the baby (or babies) is taken out through the mothers abdomen. Like any operation a C-section carries risks. Did you know that nearly 1 in 3 women have babies by C-section in this country compared to 1 in 5 in 1995. That’s quite an increase in the amount of C-sections that are carried out.
In 2011, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) published new guidelines on cesarean sections with the aim to avoid unnecessary operations. One of the recommendations was that women should be given antibiotics before surgery (rather than after) to prevent infection. This was a really good recommendation and one that is in the best interest of the woman. However, although every woman deserves the best after care and it seems that NICE are on the right path in helping to achieve this, it’s not always the case.
In this post I will share with you my experience and the experiences of others who also received sub-standard after care.
Before my C-section, I would say that I was provided with all the information I needed in order for me feel happy about having a C-section. I even attended a physiotherapy class in my local women’s unit beforehand so that I could receive information about aftercare. I felt well prepared, but I guess like most things in life there is only so much preparation you can do!
Immediately after my C-section, I was really happy with the care that I received. The nurses were friendly and attentive and I felt at ease. This all changed though from the moment I left the recovery room. I appreciate that every hospital in the country is understaffed and overworked, so I didn’t expect the nurses to be at my beck and call. However, I do expect a certain level of care and I don’t feel that I received that adequate care.
After a C-section you will have to have daily injections. I was told that I would need to find a nurse to do this for me. Every night I would walk from the Special Care unit over to the ward to find a nurse to do my injection for me. Every time I was told to come back later. Once I was asked to wait in a room. After an hour of waiting I left. How could I be expected to wait an hour for a nurse to give me an injection that would take a few seconds? Not only that, by leaving me to wait in a room for over an hour, this was taking away precious time that I should have been spending with our babies in special care. In the end, Twin Daddy ended up giving me my injections.
Moving on, I wanted to let you know that I have never had any form of surgery before I had my C-section. I had dissolvable stitches, which I thought was great because it meant I wouldn’t have to have them removed. One day I was told that I should go and find a nurse to have my dressing removed.
Off I went in search and when I found a nurse, I was told that she didn’t have time to do it herself, so I should have a shower and take it off myself whilst still in the shower. I was a bit gobsmacked, but also really didn’t want to remove the dressing myself. I was scared about what my scar would look and even more scary (although funny now when I look back) I was worried that my organs fall out! Seriously, I was really worried. I thought what if the wound opened up as I removed the dressing? What would I do?
It took me a good 30 minutes to pluck up the courage to slowly peel the tape off the dressing and then another 15 minutes or so to finally pull the dressing off. That was the longest shower I have ever taken! Twin Daddy was so sweet, offering to take it off for me, but I decided to do it myself as I could control how slowly I did and could do it in my own time.
Turns out it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. After Twin Daddy had a look at my scar first and reassured it was nothing, I took a peek myself. To my delight the surgeon had done a wonderful job! The scar was neat and not very big. There was no blood or gore! Phew!
I know I joke now, but I was so disappointed with the care I received and I’m not alone.
N’s Experience
‘N’ who blogs at The Twin Cloud shares her experience: “I had a heavy bleeding after my C-section. I was already home for a few weeks when it happened. It turned out to be a hematoma from the surgery that had been sitting there all the time and all of a sudden bled out. I was scared for a bit, but reassured soon by a friend who’s a surgeon. The hospital staff weren’t much help. Especially since a thing like that happening could easily lead to an infection of the then empty “cavity” – which indeed happened. So another week later I had to go to the ER to have my wound reopened because it was infected. Imagine having to rinse out a wound 2-3 times a day with 3 week old twins.
After 6-8 weeks, when my wound had healed and I was recovering from my 3rd bout of mastitis things went up.
My follow up appointment in the hospital was with my own OB/GYN who had not been well informed by the nurses about the other stuff that had happened. She was quite angry about the things that had happened. But still, she could have taken more interest too. I’m still planning to write a letter to the hospital about the lack of proper advice and care.”
Kara’s Experience
Kara who blogs at Chelsea Mamma says: “I had an emergency section and the staff in the hospital couldn’t have been more helpful.
I was shocked that I wasn’t sent home with any pain relief and for someone who couldn’t drive, I had to get to the doctors to be prescribed some.
I think the midwives saw me as an experienced mum because Sebastian is baby number 6, but I’d never had a C-section before and I was really struggling.
My initial home visit was ok. The nurse removed the dressing and checked I was ok, but after that it was awful.
They kept cancelling my visits so I didn’t see anyone between day 5 and day 13. Even then she rushed in and rushed out, barely checking me.
I had so many questions and my scar still hurts now, but I’m made to feel like I’m bothering them if I make an appointment. In fact one doctor refused to check my scar as I went in with mastitis and they can only see you for one thing at a time!”
What was your aftercare like following your c-section?
Related
1 Comments
Kim Carberry
September 25, 2013 at 7:32 pm
What an interesting read! I have had two c-sections….
hahaha! After mine I had to take the dressing off too and like you took forever in the shower to do it….lol
After my first my care was rubbish…I was told I had to stay laid down for at least 12 hours….Had my daughter at about 9.30 and was still laid flat gone midnight….Even after asking for some help…..Finally sat up about 2am and got something to eat….When I got home the midwife was useless….Never turned up when she said she would and missed coming to see me the first day I was home from hospital….
My 2nd was brilliant….I was sat up about 10 minutes after being stapled back together…lol The nurses & midwives were brilliant….