Mum blogger shares image of her infected scar to prove caesareans aren't the easy way out

Marie-Claire Dorking
·Contributor
A parenting blogger has shared an image of her caesarean scar to prove it isn't the easy way out [Photo: Instagram/themodernmumma]
A parenting blogger has shared an image of her caesarean scar to prove it isn’t the easy way out [Photo: Instagram/themodernmumma]

A blogger has shared a picture of her infected C-section scar to prove that giving birth via caesarean isn’t an easy way out.

Mel Watts is known for her honest and open posts about the realities of parenting and the impact being a mum can have on your body.

From sharing images of her stomach days after giving birth to giving a graphically detailed account of her caesarean, Mel hopes that opening up about her experiences will help reassure women that they’re not alone and that giving birth via caesarean isn’t always a walk in the park

In her latest post, the mother-of-four has shared a graphic image of her using a hairdryer on the cool setting to treat and dry out her infected C-section scar.

Infected Caesarean section life ‍♀️ Sometimes it doesn't matter how clean you keep it or how many you've had there is always that chance you'll become one of the statistics. With a nursing background the idea of this happening freaked me out, seriously I think of the wound tracking up into my uterus causing me to have internal uterus rupture [which isn't even a thing] and by the time I get found unconscious of course I'd have a dehisced wound….. Okay that's not going to happen I'm on antibiotics and being extremely anal, however I shouldn't of googled Caesarean section wound infections ⚰️ #easywayout #5weekspostpartum

A post shared by ➕ M E L W A T T S ➕ (@themodernmumma) on Jul 11, 2017 at 3:19am PDT

“Sometimes it doesn’t matter how clean you keep it or how many you’ve had there is always that chance you’ll become one of the statistics,” Mel wrote in the accompanying caption.

“With a nursing background the idea of this happening freaked me out,” she continued. “Seriously I think of the wound tracking up into my uterus causing me to have internal uterus rupture [which isn’t even a thing] and by the time I get found unconscious of course I’d have a dehisced wound…”

“Okay that’s not going to happen I’m on antibiotics and being extremely anal, however I shouldn’t of googled Caesarean section wound infections,” she writes.

Mel finishes her post by using the hashtag #easywayout which refers to the birth-shame women often feel when they have to give birth via caesarean section.

I did it. I wrote about the day we had Sonny. I actually wrote it a few days after I had him but it was all mumble jumble as I wanted to document how the Caesarean section went for me. How I felt, how I saw things. Please note the images are graphic on the blog page and if you don't want to look I totally understand. Also this is how I felt and everyone is different. #birthstory #caesereansection #csection #birthwithoutfear

A post shared by ➕ M E L W A T T S ➕ (@themodernmumma) on Jun 23, 2017 at 3:09am PDT

The new mum feels it’s important to call out the idea that C-sections are in any way an easy option, and many of her fans were quick to agree and share their own experiences of infected scars.

“I can’t believe some people think this is the easy way out. I’ve had two and and it’s tough even without complications… I hope you’re on the mend,” one woman wrote.

“Mine got infected after my son and re opened at one end,” another woman shared. “I didn’t have any symptoms (no temp or pain) only pus leaking out (so gross). Needed to be debrided inside for the wound to heal and had a VAC dressing on for two weeks. Was completely healed after 12 weeks. Yep-easy way out.”

“I had a postpartum infection after my C-section and was in hospital for 48 hours on an IV!! It’s definitely not the easy way out,” another mum wrote.

Fourth trimester. When the newborn leaves utero. You spend most of your days with some form of baby bodily fluid. You second guess every feed, every poop, every deep breath and every spew. You assume you're the only person that has survived on such little sleep. Though advised against the baby only sleeps on an adult chest and every cry the baby makes you go through a check list – hungry, gas, tired, restless, nappy full, missing utero and umbilical cord. You spend countless money on useless shit that's meant to make your days easier only to realise it won't. You think you may end up with a pressure sore on your buttocks from sitting with baby on chest whilst getting puked on in between feeds and poop all day. Though you wouldn't have it any other way. Small humans fill a big part of your heart don't they

A post shared by ➕ M E L W A T T S ➕ (@themodernmumma) on Jun 20, 2017 at 3:37am PDT

Though Mel was keen to highlight the fact that giving birth via caesarean should not be considered an easy option, she is also keen to explain that the risk of infections shouldn’t put women off the birth method if it is right for you.

“I’m feeling 110% better,” she wrote in her blog. “I’m walking fine I don’t need pain relief and haven’t for a week.”

“The caesarean section was the best one I’ve had. Now it can read scary and daunting BUT if you share your fears with the nurses and doctors they listen and they really, really help you,” she continued.

“Caesarean sections are scary. It’s totally normal to have some level of fear before you go in there. It can be overwhelming but afterwards you think to yourself it wasn’t all that bad was it. Totally worth all of it.”

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