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.
Generally, there's some kind of a pleasant, sweet, slightly cheesy odor that accompanies a newborn in the first few weeks of his life — but the specific notes vary from baby to baby. One mom will say her little one smells like a combination of soap, milk and fresh bread.
Usually towards the end of dilation, and just before birth, there is a special smell – like a mix of mown hay, semen and dampness. It can be very strong.
Many birth workers recognize an earthy or musky smell that women have when they are entering transition (the stage before pushing when the cervix is dilated). There is also the telltale purple line, which extends along the cleft between your buttocks.
'The vagina has a natural bacterial flora that's there to keep a good balance,' explains Dr Rosén. It's because of this natural bacteria that the cervical mucus in the vagina always has a smell. You may also experience changes throughout your menstrual cycle as the pH balance in your vagina changes.
Walking into a hospital, right away you notice a different smell profile. It's antiseptic, a little bitter, with undertones of the artificial fragrance contained in soaps and cleaners.
Babies are born fully equipped with all the necessary senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. However, some of these senses are less precise than others. Below are some aspects of newborn senses: Vision.
Once you give birth, your estrogen and progesterone levels drop precipitously. We don't know exactly why, but this hormonal dip signals to your brain that you're too hot. And so, you sweat. And when you sweat, you might smell.
During pregnancy, our blood volume increases a lot, and during many hospital births we are given IV fluids. After you have your baby, your body is losing a large volume of water, and sweating is one of the ways it exits. With sweat comes smells.
Babytalk | A baby's bond with its mother may start with the sense of smell. One of my favorite things to do is show mothers how their baby can smell them from as far away as 1 to 2 feet.
A Word From Verywell
Smelling stronger or differently and sweating more postpartum is normal. 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.
However, you may not realize that your ribcage has to expand to accommodate your growing uterus. In addition, your hips also need to widen to provide an easier exit down the birth canal during delivery.
Essential oils such as lavender or peppermint: apply to the wrist and under the nose.
Say something like, “I'd like to talk to you about something that's awkward, and I hope I don't offend you. But I want you to be aware that you have a noticeable odor.” Take note that these words don't place blame or shame on the patient by calling it a “problem” or describing it as an “offensive” or even “bad” odor.
Hydrogen sulfide has a characteristic rotten egg smell which can be detected at very low levels, well below those that are known to cause health effects. Smelling hydrogen sulfide does not mean that it will harm your health. The smell can cause worry, anxiety and resentment.
One option for pain relief in labour is nitrous oxide gas mixed with oxygen. It is also called Entonox, laughing gas or just 'gas'. You breathe it in through a mouthpiece or mask. Gas can help with pain relief, and it is safe for you and your baby.
There isn't much you can do to make your nose less sensitive to smells, but you can try to avoid the scents you find most unappealing. Pregnant women in studies rated perfumes, pets, meat, fish, and eggs as some of the most unappealing smells, and fruits as more pleasant.
Should a healthy vagina have any smell at all? Normal vaginal discharge has a mild, musky scent that is not unpleasant. This means that a slight smell is normal. Any foul (bad) or strong smell, or a smell that is unusual, is a sign that things are out of balance, and that you should get yourself checked out.
Menstrual cycle. Sometimes, a fishy vaginal odor crops up just before the start of your period, due to changing bacteria and acidity levels. During menstruation, the blood (which has an elevated pH) and uterine lining mix with vaginal microflora, subtly altering the smell.
Excess vaginal discharge can occur due to arousal, ovulation, or infections. Normal vaginal discharge contains a mixture of cervical mucus, vaginal fluid, dead cells, and bacteria. Females may experience heavy vaginal discharge from arousal or during ovulation.
Cervical stimulation means touching your cervix in a way that gives you pleasure. Stimulating the cervix with a finger, sex toy, or penis can feel really good and even lead to an orgasm. But it can also feel neutral, annoying, or painful.