Infection after C-Section... Great!

Warning: I've included pics of my incision. They are not horrible pics but if you would rather not see them, click away now lol. 

So I tried everything possible to avoid another c-section with this pregnancy. My efforts didn't change my destiny to be under the knife yet again but I'm happy to have my newborn sleeping on my chest as I type this latest entry.

Last week I started having some odd pain on the left side of my incision and upon checking it Friday night, I noticed some oozing. I thought, "great, and on a Friday night to top it off!" I called my OB and he said not to worry, this type of stuff can happen and that unless I had a fever I should be fine.

I took his word for it and took it easy all weekend but I also made sure I kept the area really clean and dry. I decided to add a topical ointment to make sure there was no bacteria growing near the area. Well, this past Friday night... yes, Friday, AGAIN. My pain got a LOT worse and the area was red and swollen. When I showered that night and cleaned my incision, I felt stinging and everything just felt wrong. I was scared and I knew I now had an infection in my hands.

As many of us do, I jumped online to see what I could do to make this better until I saw my doctor. I probably did everything I shouldn't do, but it worked and I kept the bacteria from spreading. I cleaned the incision with a 50/50 water/peroxide solution because I saw a little opening which was where the original oozing came from. I also looked through my medicine cabinet where I found a couple of left over antibiotic pills from an old UTI. I took the pills as directed for the UTI and hoped I would make it to Monday. The swelling began to go down after two doses and this morning it started to look a whole lot better. I confessed to my doc what I had done in desperation and after his funny looks, he examined my incision and determined I have cellulitis. I got a prescription for a new antibiotic and I plan to take it diligently since this is scary! I'm so glad that I was able to get to the doctor and that I didn't end up back in the ER.

I guess I had good reason to try and avoid this cesarean... but since it was inevitable, I'm now on a longer road to recovery but patiently waiting it out as I enjoy this new bundle of joy. On a good note, I learned about a vegan probiotic! Since I'm on antibiotics, I read up on ways to replenish the good bacteria in my system. I was concerned that being vegan was going to shatter my chances of finding a probiotic in my area. (South Texas is not well stocked when it comes to vegan friendly products.) I came across the GoodBelly line and learned that their juices are available in my area! I've tried the Strawberry and the Blueberry Acai. They are both yummy and I'll have no problem taking one daily. :)

Wish me luck on this road to recovery and to all those other mommas out there struggling through this or any other condition pre/postpartum. Our babies are not always easy to carry or birth, but they sure are the light of our lives. Enjoy them while they're babies... time flys by way too fast. --- I know we all hear that so often, but it really is true... my 10 year old and my soon to be 8 year old are amazing little people, but I sure do miss holding them in my arms as they giggle at my goofy sounds and faces.

~Norm