Exploring Caesarean Birth 3: Wound Issues and Protecting the Caesarean Wound From Surgical Wound Complications

Article three in a series of eight. In this article, surgical wound complications (SWCs) are discussed. Many SWCs after caesarean birth are preventable, therefore it is imperative that patient education is provided. It is important to involve postnatal women, birthing people and partners in the care plans, explaining that five layers are involved in surgical wound healing. Care must be taken not to exert stress on the incision. As midwives we need to be aware of the contributing factors both intrinsic and extrinsic and the preventative interventions. The implementation of evidence-based surgical wound recommendations is vital to healing. The six major surgical wound complications and service-user education recommended by the World Union of Wound Healing Societies (WUWHS) will be discussed.