Bacterial Meningitis after emergency c section

[Shelli29]

One month ago I was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis which was contracted through a spinal block given to me during an emergencyc section. I lost two and a half days with my newborn as I was in Intensive care and my son was put in special care and also treated with antibiotics. We spent 10 days in hospital and had a further 2 weeks of IV antibiotics administered at home.

I am extremely lucky to not have any after effects. Except for the odd headache and leg spasms. But mentally I feel drained and scarred for life. I will not be having anymore children for the fear of contracting any illness in hospital.

My baby has been unwell with reflux, colic and constipation and his constant crying due to his pain really brings it all back to me. What if I wasn’t here. Or what if we’re not bonding due to the separation at hospital.

Can anyone recommend any coping mechanism for the mental side effects of meningitis

[Tonixshack]

Hi Shelli im so sorry to hear this. I myself contracted VM after having a c section with my little girl in october 16. How soon after birth did you become poorly? Myself pesonally found counselling to be the only thing that helped me mentally. i was also isolated and separated from my baby for 10 days while they waited for csf results to diagnose the strain amd rule out encephalitis. this left me with tremendous guilt, when i got home i was too poorly to look after her and i dont remember much of the first 6 months of her life which lead to feeling depressed and anxious. I found a little diary to be helpful every time i felt down i would jot in it all the reasons i have to be happy. My baby is 22 months now and the guilt ia still there but it gets easier. Give yourself time and dont be so hard on yourself.

[Shelli29 in reply to Tonixshack]

I started to feel unwell about 24 hours after the c section and became unresponsive about 6 hours later. It felt like the Doctors did not want to admit that I had contracted the bacterial meningitis from the spinal block but it just seems very coincidental. I have looked into the birth afterthoughts counselling but just haven’t taken that step yet. Blimey you had it rough. Don’t know what I’m complaining about. The diary is a good idea for good reasons. I find whenever I take the time to think about it I focus on the bad points. Time is a healer and all that. Thank you for replying

[Tonixshack in reply to Shelli29]

You poor thing! doctors were exactly the same with me with it being viral it was a slow onset so my first symptom was memory loss i didnt know if i'd fed the baby i didnt even know her name, they diagnosed me with post natal depression for 3 weeks my health was slowly deteriorating until i collapsed with the typical text book symptoms. Im still under a neurologist as its left me with chronic migraine and memory issues but it does get easier. Dont thing of what could have been thing of what is. Talking and sharing your experience somehow enables you to make sense of it. I hope you and baby are doing well take it easy and look after yourself you've been through a terrible ordeal.