What does foul smelling Lochia smell like?
‘Lochia odour is similar to that of normal menstrual fluid; some say it smells stale and musty,’ says Sharon. ‘Vaginal blood loss tends to have a slightly metallic smell; however, this should not be so strong as to make you uncomfortable,’ says Mr Downes.
What does a postpartum infection smell like?
Lochia (vaginal discharge) 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 an infection after giving birth?
What are the symptoms of a postpartum infection?
- Lower abdominal pain, a low-grade fever, or foul-smelling lochia (signs of endometritis)
- A painful, hard, warm, red area (usually only on one breast) and fever, chills, muscle aches, fatigue, or a headache (signs of mastitis)
Does the end of lochia smell?
Does lochia smell? Yes, lochia can have a distinct odor, similar to menstrual blood. But if your lochia has a foul smell or you come down with fever or chills, call your doctor. That can be a sign of a postpartum infection.
How common is postpartum infection?
Endometritis is defined as an infection of the upper genital tract including endometrium, myometrium, and surrounding tissue. A 2012 Cochrane review of endometritis found a 1–3% rate of endometritis after vaginal delivery and 5–10 times higher rates following caesarean section.
Is it normal to have a foul odor after giving birth?
Vaginal blood loss is often associated with a slight metallic smell. This might continue for six to eight weeks after childbirth. This is the stuff your uterus keeps shedding after birth. But if the mild odor smells strong and foul, it could be due to an infection or tears in your vagina during the birthing process.
What antibiotics treat smelly discharge?
Bacterial vaginosis can cause symptoms such as discharge with an unpleasant smell. The antibiotics clindamycin and metronidazole are both effective treatments for bacterial vaginosis.
What pills are good for smelly discharge?
Treatments and Medication Options for Vaginal Odor
- Clindamycin (Cleocin)
- Metronidazole (Flagyl)
- Tinidazole (Tindamax)
When does bleeding stop postpartum?
Postpartum bleeding usually lasts at least 10 days, and may last longer than 6 weeks. Your bleeding may range from light (barely staining a pad) to heavy (soaking a pad in 1 hour). Usually, you have heavier bleeding right after childbirth, which slows over the next few weeks until it stops.
What is bad smelling discharge?
Bad odour in the discharge: STDs. Another common reasons why you notice a bad smell in your discharge is due to the presence of a sexually transmitted disease or STD. There are many types of common STDs that affect the appearance and smell of discharge, this is the case of conditions like chlamydia , trichomoniasis or gonorrhea.
What is normal vaginal smell?
Every vagina has its own odor. Most women describe it as a musky or slightly sour smell, which are both normal. While most vaginal odors are caused by bacteria, sometimes your urine can also affect the smell. An ammonia-like smell in your vagina might be alarming at first, but it’s usually nothing serious.
What is vaginal discharge after delivery?
Vaginal discharge. After delivery, you’ll begin to shed the superficial mucous membrane that lined your uterus during pregnancy. You’ll have vaginal discharge consisting of this membrane and blood (lochia) for weeks. This discharge will be red and heavy for the first few days.