"Poor wound care post partum"

I had my second baby in May via Elective C-section following a relatively smooth pregnancy. 

On Day 4 post partum, I noticed my wound dressing had become saturated with blood and arranged with MAU to have this seen to. Due to it being the middle of the night, it was a prompt visit - dressing was removed, I was given guidance on how to keep it clean/dry. Following discharge at 6am, around 10am I noticed my wound had began to open, and tissue was now protruding out of it. My exceptional community midwife phoned MAU and arranged for me to be seen urgently with suspected wound dehiscence. I had to leave my 1 year old son with grandparents and return back to MAU with my newborn & husband to be told - we're busy today and you might not get seen!. This was absolutely shocking given the fact my community midwife had raised concerns over the phone and asked for me to be seen urgently. Why was their expertise being undermined? 

I was simply handed a urine bottle, told to take a seat and observations would be done. Once called through to a room, I broke down. This was day 5 postpartum, my hormones had dropped and I was away from my eldest son and my newborn was spending another day in MAU with me. Thankfully, a dual-trained nurse & midwife helped move things along quicker. A doctor was called in, the protruding tissue was dealt with, the wound was redressed, antibiotics issues and an appointment was made for a wound review the 3 days later. 

My wound was now beginning to leak, I was becoming more unwell.

At my wound review, my dressings came off and I was sent home. I still wasn't 100% comfortable with undressed wound which was angry, raw and had tissue appearing but was assured by the duty doctor - it would heal. I feel I should have really seen a registrar or consultant.

Following the dressing removal, this is where everything took a turn. More tissue was starting to protrude, the backache was excruciating (I was told this was due to the spinal?!) and large volumes of fluid started to pour out of the wound.

Another phone call to MAU and again, advised to present myself but told they were -really busy with lots of patients having to sit in the lounge- I arrived at the desk a broken woman - 2 young babies under 2, being separated from them, becoming more unwell and feeling like no one at MAU was taking my situation seriously. Why hadn’t I seen a registrar or consultant yet?

I found the midwife on shift that night was cold at the desk, despite my emotions. They suggested another urine sample. I refused. I needed seen urgently. I was shown to the side room off the lounge and told I would be seen. At 4am, I seen a student doctor, a junior doctor and registrar who all provided different care options and judgements. More tissue was beginning to protrude and fluid continued to leak. No midwife had come to see me since arrival, simply left in a side room parted with my new born baby. I was broken.

A registrar eventually seen me, believed the fluid was a burst seroma however would arrange an ultrasound but given it was the weekend it would be busy, so might be Monday. I was made to feel that this really wasn’t important or a big deal and neither was the fact I was parted with my babies. Considering there is such a focus on postnatal depression, the care I was receiving completely contradicted that.

Following the ultrasound, I was advised to go back to MAU. Thankfully, the most exceptional midwife in MAU, was on shift, and agreed to continue my care. The wound was getting worse and more bodily parts were starting to protrude. Thankfully they arranged for Registrar & Consultant, whose care was exceptional. An urgent CT scan was arranged, and I was admitted to HDU with my 8 day old baby for IV antibiotics. 

Upon admission to HDU, I was absolutely delighted to find the consultant on call delivered my first son and gave me an experience I’ll never forget. This Dr chased up my CT results and confirmed I needed urgent surgery over at Crosshouse to fix my wound which had become a wound dehiscence and evisceration. Why had this taken so long to be dealt with? Why did it take 5 presentations at MAU for me to eventually be seen and taken seriously? This isn’t good enough. If it hadn’t been for that incredible midwife at MAU, I dread to think where we would be today. 

Following the surgery, I was admitted back to HDU in Labour Ward and looked after. My care was amazing and I’ll be forever grateful to the staff for the emotional support pre & post op. The three Dr's were exceptional and there will never be enough words to thank them for what they done for me. Without a doubt, the most compassionate individuals ever - I’ve never come across such amazing medical professionals. MAU is very lucky to have them. 

Having a second surgery after a c section was major setback to my recovery. Coupled with a 3 night stay in inpatient ward, I had spent more time away from my new baby & family. Granted, I was allowed to have my newborn with me but my newborn bubble was burst. 

It was shameful that I had to keep presenting myself at MAU. It felt like no one was listening to me. All that was cared about was general observations. Other new mums should not have to go through this and need to be taken seriously when attending MAU post partum. I feel I was completely robbed of time with my new baby.