QuestionI gave birth via c-section to my second child on 7/19. Everything went fine in the hospital and at first at home. After the pain from the surgery began to subside, I started noticing that I was having a lot of pain in my lower right abdomen. I went to the doctor yesterday and he sent me for a CT scan. The scan showed that I have a large Hematoma from my belly button down to my pelvis and from one side to another. My doctor called me today and told me not to worry about it, that it would just absorb back into my system. Well, because I'm a worry-wart, I began searching online. Everything that came up was stories of how the Hematoma caused the incision to split open and gush blood and fluid. Then they had to have it packed for weeks or months after as it had to heal from the inside out. Others said that their doctor opened the incision back up to drain it, then had it packed. There is no way I could handle that, honestly, I think I would die if my incision opened up or had to be opened up and packed for weeks. It sounds painful and gross, and not something I want to ever go through. Please tell me that what my doctor is saying is true and it will just absorb back into my system. It doesn't hurt so bad that it's unbearable. It only hurts the most when I urinate (right around my belly button), I'm assuming that's because of all the bruising.
AnswerDear Crystal,
First - sorry about my delay in answering. I needed to help a friend yesterday and was away from my computer all day.
Many times the treatment of a post-operative intraabdominal hematoma is dependent upon the size. Your description of it sounds fairly large. Small to moderate hematomas often do reabsorb. Large hematomas are often drained - not necessarily OPENED - but drained percutaneously (through the skin with a syringe, if possible) because a hematoma has to be thought of as a potential source of infection. It is only those who have had an infected hematoma get out of control that have to be re-opened and packed as you describe.
If your pain does not significantly improve in the next week or two and/or if you are just not comfortable with what your doctor has decided, by all means get a 2nd opinion. Another doctor can look at the results of your CT and determine whether the size of the hematoma is significant enough to warrant treatment in his/her own opinion. With both opinions, you should feel more comfortable as to how to proceed.
I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.
Brenda
