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.
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.
Signs of uterine infection after giving birth may include; a foul-smelling discharge, swollen, tender uterus, rapid increase in white blood-cell count which is abnormal. Also, an infection of the amniotic sac especially during labor can lead to infection after delivery.
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.
If you're nursing your baby, your body will emit a stronger smell through your underarm sweat than normal to help your baby find its source of food (2). This is your body's response to naturally assist your baby in finding the breast, and will begin right after giving birth.
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.
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.
Lochia will smell like menstrual blood. 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.
“Postpartum infection is a pretty broad category that would include any infection in the postpartum period, which we generally consider to be at least the first six weeks postpartum,” says Sutton. The three that afflict mothers the most are endometritis, cesarean section incision infection, and mastitis.
If the uterus is infected, women are usually given antibiotics by vein (intravenously) until they have had no fever for at least 48 hours. Afterward, most women do not need to take antibiotics by mouth. Before a cesarean delivery, doctors may give women antibiotics shortly before surgery.
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.
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).
The most common signs of postpartum infections are: Too much bleeding or hemorrhage discharge from the vagina. Foul smell coming out from the vagina. Little or no bleeding after delivery is a potential problem as well.
The three that afflict mothers the most are endometritis, cesarean section incision infection, and mastitis.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
To cleanse the area, use the "squirt" water bottle you got in the hospital. After you go to the bathroom, rinse from front to back with warm water. Continue these rinses for as long as you have vaginal bleeding. Pat (don't wipe) from front to back to dry.
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.
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.