Why does my discharge smell after birth?

What is lochia? Lochia is the vaginal discharge you have after giving birth. It contains a mix of blood, mucus and uterine tissue. It has a stale, musty odor like menstrual period discharge and can last several weeks.

How long does postpartum odor last?

Weird smells are normal.

Immediately after, and even six to eight weeks after delivery, there will be lochia, and lots of it. This is the stuff (mostly blood) that your uterus sheds, and it may have a mild odor to it.

Why does my discharge smell postpartum?

Lochia is the vaginal discharge you have after a vaginal delivery. It has a stale, musty odor like menstrual discharge. Lochia for the first 3 days after delivery is dark red in color. A few small blood clots, no larger than a plum, are normal.

How do you know if you have postpartum infection?

Symptoms of uterine infections commonly include pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis, fever (usually within 1 to 3 days after delivery), paleness, chills, a general feeling of illness or discomfort, and often headache and loss of appetite. The heart rate is often rapid. The uterus is swollen, tender, and soft.

What does a postpartum infection smell like?

Some describe it as musty, metallic, sour or stale. However, it shouldn't smell fishy or foul. This could mean bacteria has gotten into your vagina and caused an infection.

Management of postpartum foul smelling white discharge - Dr. Teena S Thomas

How do you get rid of smell after birth?

It's often due to hormonal disruptions and the shedding of the amniotic fluid, blood, and tissue that developed in your womb over nine months of pregnancy. Regular showers, drinking lots of water, and eating a healthy diet can help to alleviate these symptoms.

What is the most common cause of postpartum infection?

The majority of postpartum infections result from physiologic and iatrogenic trauma to the abdominal wall and reproductive, genital, and urinary tracts that occur during childbirth or abortion, which allows for the introduction of bacteria into these normally sterile environments.

When should I see a doctor for postpartum infection?

Postpartum infections seldom occur because doctors try to prevent or treat conditions that can lead to infections. However, infections, if they develop, may be serious. Thus, if a woman has a temperature of more than 100.4° F at any time during the first week after delivery, she should call the doctor.

What does postpartum sepsis feel like?

Sepsis is a severe infection which affects the entire body; the first signs are usually a rise in your temperature, heart rate and breathing. You may also feel unwell, have chills and flu-type symptoms, abdominal pain in your tummy and diarrhoea.

Why does Lochia smell?

Does Lochia Smell? Lochia should not smell bad. Foul-smelling lochia may be a sign of infection and warrants a visit to a healthcare provider. It is normal for the bleeding to stop and start, and to experience period-like cramping as the uterus shrinks back to its normal size.

Is yellow discharge normal after giving birth?

The body goes through many changes after having a baby, and having some yellow discharge after birth is normal. This type of discharge is called “lochia.” It is part of the body's way of healing itself after delivery, and it is a normal part of recovery after a vaginal birth or cesarean section (C-section).

How do you clean yourself after giving birth?

Use clean, warm water with no soaps, oils or bubble bath. You can add Epsom salts to the water as per the package instructions. To help prevent infection, do not use tampons or menstrual cups for the first 6 weeks after having your baby. Drink plenty of fluids and eat foods high in fibre to prevent constipation.

How do you get rid of infection after giving birth?

Postpartum infections are primarily treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics given intravenously (IV) if you are still in the hospital. Broad-spectrum antibiotics cover a variety of bacteria and are used when the type of bacteria is unknown.

How do you know if you have a yeast infection postpartum?

How long does it take to heal internally postpartum?

Vaginal delivery recovery, also called postpartum recovery, takes time. Some women don't feel like their pre-pregnancy selves again for a few months, though many feel mostly recovered after 6-8 weeks.

What makes you high risk for postpartum?

Risk factors

You have bipolar disorder. You had postpartum depression after a previous pregnancy. You have family members who've had depression or other mood disorders. You've experienced stressful events during the past year, such as pregnancy complications, illness or job loss.

What are three postpartum complications?

Common postpartum complications

Infection or sepsis. Excessive bleeding after giving birth (hemorrhage) A disease of the heart muscle that makes it harder for your heart to pump blood to the rest of your body (cardiomyopathy)

What are the symptoms of BV in females?

How often should you wash after giving birth?

2 weeks and beyond

You don't need to bathe your baby every day. You may prefer to wash their face, neck, hands and bottom carefully instead. Most babies will regain their birthweight in the first 2 weeks. Around this time their care will move from a midwife to a health visitor.

How long can you not shower after giving birth?

You may shower, bathe or wash your hair at anytime after the birth of your baby. During your first six weeks, avoid strenuous work. You may choose to limit visits with family and friends during the first two weeks, as it may cause undue fatigue for you and could also be detrimental to your baby's health.

How long do vaginal stitches take to heal?

How long does it take a vaginal tear to heal? Most women feel relief from any pain caused by a vaginal tear in about two weeks. If your tear required stitches, they will dissolve within six weeks.

How long does postpartum discharge last?

Lochia, also known as postpartum bleeding, is vaginal bleeding after giving birth that includes bloody fluid made up of blood, placental tissue, sloughed off endometrial lining and mucous. Normal postpartum bleeding continues for 3 to 6 weeks as your uterus heals and returns to its usual shape and size.

What are the 3 types of lochia?

Three types of lochia color patterns were identified: type 1--rubra-->serosa-->alba sequence (n = 20); type 2-rubra-->serosa-->alba sequence with prolonged rubra phase and short serosa and alba phases (n = 11); and type 3-with two rubra phases (rubra-->serosa/alba-->rubra-->serosa/alba sequence with near-equal duration ...

What are the signs of abnormal lochia?

Does lochia mean uterus is shrinking?

"After delivery, the uterus begins to contract and shrink back down to its usual size, and the uterine lining sheds." This shedding (lochia) not totally unlike menstruation, notes Dr. Masterson, because it's made up of the same kind of blood and tissue.