Stitches are painful and swelling agter 20 days of surgery. What to do?

Question

Accepted Answer

It's not uncommon to experience some discomfort and swelling around the stitches after a C-section, but if you're still experiencing significant pain and swelling 20 days post-surgery, it's important to consider a few possibilities:

1. Infection: Pain, swelling, redness, warmth around the stitches, and any discharge (like pus) could indicate an infection. This requires immediate medical attention.

2. Hematoma or Fluid Buildup: Sometimes, fluid can accumulate around the incision, leading to swelling and discomfort.

3. Poor Healing or Irritation: If the stitches are being irritated by clothing or movement, they may take longer to heal.

What you can do:

Keep the area clean and dry: Gently clean the incision site with mild soap and water, and make sure it is properly dried to avoid moisture buildup.

Wear loose clothing: Avoid tight clothing that may rub against the stitches.

Cold compress: Applying a cold compress can help reduce swelling and alleviate pain.

Pain relievers: Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen can help with pain and inflammation (after checking with your doctor).

When to see a doctor:

If the pain is worsening, the swelling is increasing, or you notice any signs of infection (fever, redness, pus), contact your doctor immediately for a check-up.