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community midwife if
you have any concerns
Care of your
*Insert local contacts/any contact details*
Caesarean-section
wound after surgery
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What is a Caesarean section? What are the signs and symptoms of a wound infection?
A Caesarean section is an operation to deliver your baby.
It involves making a cut in the woman’s tummy small Most signs and symptoms of a wound infection are an ex-
enough to deliver a baby. aggeration of a normal wound healing.
In order for you to care for your baby, it is essential that Normal wound healing:
you are fit and healthy. Therefore, after a caesarean Slight redness around the wound
section, it is important that you follow the advice in this Possibility of some swelling
leaflet to reduce the risk of infection. In Wales in 2014, Tenderness and pain around the wound
the surgical site infection rate, after a caesarean section is Small amount of clear fluid coming from the wound
5.0%.
Possible signs of an infection:
Hygiene and wound care: Increasing redness to the wound area
Your wound will be covered with a dressing for at Increased swelling around the wound area
least 24-48 hours after your caesarean section Increasing pain or tenderness (especially when you
Dry the wound area carefully, following a shower are at rest)
Don’t touch your Caesarean-section wound (unless it Increasing amount of fluid oozing from the wound
is necessary to) and a change in fluid colour
Ensure that you regularly wash your hands, especially Smell from the fluid coming from the wound
before and after using the toilet Developing a higher temperature
Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing and cotton Feeling generally unwell
underwear (eg underwear in one size larger than you Localised heat around the wound area
would normally wear or maternity underwear or
partner’s boxers) What do I do if I think my wound is infected?
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