What to expect from antibiotic treatment for pelvic infection for caesarean wound infection

A caesarean wound infection can cause increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pain, cloudy fluid or separation along the incision. A clinician may prescribe antibiotics as tablets or through a vein, depending on how unwell you are and whether the infection seems superficial or deeper. The wound may need examination, a dressing change or a sample of fluid.

Improvement is assessed through changes in pain, redness, drainage and fever rather than by appearance alone. Some antibiotics cause nausea, loose stools or skin reactions. Tell the team if you are breastfeeding, have medicine allergies or take other medicines.

Use antibiotics exactly as directed and finish the prescribed course unless your clinician changes it. Wash your hands before touching the dressing, keep the incision as instructed, and wear loose clothing that does not rub it. Do not squeeze the wound or apply creams, powders or antiseptics unless advised. Arrange the wound review that was recommended.

Contact your maternity team promptly if redness spreads, pain worsens, the wound opens, drainage increases, fever develops or you feel weak or shivery. Seek emergency help for breathing difficulty, facial swelling, collapse or confusion after an antibiotic, or for severe illness with rapidly worsening wound symptoms.

Ask whether the infection is limited to the skin, how to dress the wound, when it should be reviewed, and whether a sample or additional procedure is needed. Check which pain medicines are compatible with breastfeeding.