The smell of discharge after childbirth. What is the smell of discharge after the birth of a child is considered the norm

Discharge after childbirth with an unpleasant odor is a reason for close attention to a woman. Experts note that discharge after childbirth with some “spicy” or rotten smell can be normal, because in some way menstruation also smells like iron. Also, postpartum suckers have a very specific smell. But sometimes the smell of postpartum discharge becomes especially unpleasant - in this case, you need to seriously think about the state of the body. It is advisable to consult a doctor who will help determine the cause of its appearance.

Discharge with an unpleasant odor

In the first month and a half after childbirth, suckers go. This is a normal reaction of the body to the birth process. Indeed, along with such secretions, they will come out after childbirth, as well as the remains of the placenta, particles of the endometrium, blood from the uterus, and other elements. If the discharge after childbirth has a specific smell, then this is not a cause for concern. The main thing to remember is the need to observe the rules of personal hygiene, regularly change pads and wash. At this time, visiting saunas and other public places where the risk of infection is high is not allowed. After one and a half to two months, the suckers will stop.

If the discharge after childbirth is with an unpleasant odor, then this may be the first signal of the onset of an inflammatory process in the uterus, so this situation requires immediate medical attention.

So, consultation of an obstetrician-gynecologist is necessary in cases where:

- suckers have acquired a yellow-green or bright yellow color, as well as an unpleasant smell;

- if the smell of postpartum discharge has become clearly putrid and repulsive;

- there are blood clots after childbirth or the amount of discharge is too large.

Any of the symptoms described above speaks of deviations from the norm, in terms of the female reproductive system and inflammation in it. One way or another, when the smell of postpartum discharge in a woman becomes unpleasant, this is a reason to be wary.

Discharge after childbirth with an unpleasant odor - what is it

The appearance of an unpleasant odor of postpartum discharge is the very first signal of the body for help. First of all, it is important to find out what led to his condition, and self-treatment in such cases is unacceptable. Only a gynecologist observing a woman can choose the optimal treatment.

Even if an unpleasant odor does not appear in postpartum discharge, but they turn greenish, reddish or saturated yellow, this is a signal of the beginning of a pathological process in the body.

The same applies to the appearance of blood clots in the lochia. The most dangerous reason for their appearance, as well as the unpleasant smell of postpartum discharge, is inflammation of the uterus. Usually, this condition is accompanied by a sharp deterioration in the woman's well-being, fever, headaches, and pain in the lower abdomen.

First of all, as soon as there is discharge after childbirth with an unpleasant odor, an additional ultrasound is required, because often the cause of this condition is the placenta that has not completely left the uterus. It must be removed immediately to avoid sad consequences.

It is not excluded the appearance of an unpleasant odor due to infection in the genital tract. Therefore, a woman is invited to take a series of tests to determine a specific disease and its subsequent treatment.

Causes of an unpleasant odor in discharge after childbirth

Experts call endometritis, that is, inflammation of the uterine mucosa, as the most common cause of the appearance of an unpleasant odor in postpartum discharge. This disease is characterized by the appearance of green or yellow-brown mucous secretions with an unpleasant putrefactive odor. Especially severe cases are accompanied by chills and fever. For the treatment of endometritis, medical supervision will be required, and self-medication is categorically unacceptable.

In addition, the unpleasant smell of discharge after childbirth may be evidence of stagnation of lochia in the uterus itself, that is, difficulty in getting them out. Then, in order to avoid decay of this mass, scraping will be required.

Sometimes the cause of an unpleasant odor lies in infectious diseases of the genital tract like chlamydia, gardenellosis and others. To make an accurate diagnosis, an examination will be required, according to the results of which a suitable treatment will be prescribed.

After childbirth, whether they were carried out in a natural way or a caesarean section was performed, the woman still has discharge from the genital tract for a long time. Full recovery of the body occurs only after 6 to 8 weeks.

At this time, a young mother is warned of various types of dangers associated with the pathology of the genital organs. Therefore, it is important to know how long and what should be the discharge in the postpartum period. After all, a pathological process detected in time is already half the success of its treatment. What to do if there is discharge after childbirth with an unpleasant odor?

Read in this article

Discharge after childbirth

Thus, any processes that disrupt the contractility of the uterus lead to excessive blood loss, a hematometer can form - an accumulation of blood clots in the cavity. Often this complication requires a blood transfusion, since its loss can reach up to several liters.

So, the discharge in the first day or two is abundant, often with clots. But if in doubt, it is better to consult a doctor or midwife, as violations threaten the life of a woman.

In the first week

Gradually, the amount of discharge decreases, they begin to resemble normal menstruation. Their color is still predominantly blood-red, there should be no clots, if only very small ones (several mm each). The smell is specific, like during menstruation. It should also be noted that at this time the sweat glands begin to work actively, including in the groin area, so a slightly stronger smell than usual may appear.

At a later time

Over time, the bloody component becomes even smaller, mucus predominates in the lochia. At this time, the discharge is rather presented in the form of a small daub. There should not be a special smell, subject to all the rules of hygiene and regular change of pads.

If there is no discharge for several days, and then a daub appears again, you should not worry, this is the norm. But provided that it fits into the 40-day interval.

If after childbirth yellow discharge with an unpleasant odor, it is better to seek medical help to rule out inflammation.

Watch the video about lochia after childbirth:

Discharge after caesarean section

Immediately after the operation, the discharge is less when compared with natural childbirth, but gradually their number increases. It all depends on whether the planned or emergency was a caesarean section, whether there was an opening of the cervix at all.

A smaller number of lochia in general is also due to the fact that drugs that reduce the uterus are always administered for prophylactic purposes, and often additional curettage of the cavity is also performed.

Admixture of mucus is allowed in the first days. In terms of duration after caesarean section, any discharge should not exceed 40 days. In all other respects, their nature does not differ from natural childbirth.

Pathology

To finally understand, the norm or pathology, only a specialist can. But the following symptoms should be a reason to see a doctor:

• If the discharge in the first days after childbirth is excessively abundant and with clots. In addition to this, weakness, dizziness, nausea may appear.
• In the case when a few days after the birth, the discharge abruptly stopped. Parallel to this, there are pulling pains in the lower abdomen.
• Also if the discharge has increased dramatically. For example, one daub was already present for more than 3-5 days, and decent bloody lochia appeared.
• If after childbirth there is brown discharge with an unpleasant smell of putrefactive nature, subject to all the rules of personal hygiene.

Signs of inflammation

At any time after childbirth, a woman may have signs and vaginas. The probability is especially high when at the end of pregnancy she was disturbed by some kind of genital infections. Also, inflammation often occurs at an early onset of sexual activity, when the cervix is ​​not yet completely closed, and infections are easy to penetrate. It is recommended to refrain from intimate relationships for up to 40 days while there is still some discharge.

In most cases, it has a vivid clinical picture. Also, the infection can be localized in the vagina and cervix. This is due to the immunodeficiency of the woman at this moment. The main signs of inflammation of the genital organs:

• pulling pains in the lower abdomen, which are slightly stopped by analgesics;
• discharge with an unpleasant odor, putrid, purulent, etc.;
• the color of lochia changes to yellowish, greenish, dark brown, purulent, etc.;
• body temperature rises to 38 - 39 degrees;
• general well-being suffers: sweating, weakness, lethargy, apathy occur.

To determine inflammation in the genitals, it is enough to conduct a general blood test, a gynecological examination and perform an ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs. Treatment must be started immediately to avoid possible complications.

Causes of pathology

Inflammation after childbirth can be localized in the vagina or spread to the uterine cavity. In the latter case, there is a clear threat to the woman's health. The causes of the inflammatory process after childbirth can be as follows:

• Presence and its ignoring at the end of pregnancy. After childbirth, pathogenic bacteria do not disappear without proper treatment.
• Various manipulations during childbirth without prophylactic antibiotics. For example, manual separation of the placenta, massive blood loss, extensive, etc.
• Concomitant immunodeficiency states in a woman. Such as HIV, oncological pathology and others.
• Non-compliance with personal hygiene, use.
• The presence of an active infectious pathology, for example, an exacerbation of a chronic and the like.
• Earlier the beginning of a sexual life without endurance of 40 days, refusal from condoms at the same time.
• Allergic reactions to suture material, if used.

The fact is that blood is the best nutrient medium for the growth and reproduction of most pathogens. Therefore, inflammation occurs so easily after childbirth.

When to See a Doctor

You should not wait for almost a month after the birth of discharge with an unpleasant odor.

At the first suspicion of inflammation or other pathology, you should consult a doctor.

As a matter of urgency, this must be done in the following situations:

• upon detection of purulent discharge,
• with an increase above 39 degrees,
• with severe pain in the lower abdomen,
• with severe dizziness, weakness, lethargy,
• if the discharge is very profuse (several medium-sized pads for an hour).

Diagnostic methods

Careful attention must be paid to such conditions, as they are fraught with consequences and can cause significant harm to a woman's health. If a young mother suspects some kind of infection, you should consult a doctor for examination and examination. The main methods used to diagnose the condition are:

• general gynecological examination;
• on the flora, sowing the contents;
• PCR and seeding on the main pathogenic microorganisms;
• ultrasound examination of the uterine cavity;
• general and biochemical analysis of blood.

If necessary, the list can be expanded.

Discharge treatment

The volume and invasiveness of the treatment of inflammation of the genital organs after childbirth depends on the degree of prevalence of the process, the severity of symptoms of intoxication, etc. Key areas include the following:

• Antibacterial therapy. With a mild degree, oral medications can be dispensed with; in moderate and severe cases, it is better to give preference to injections. It should also be considered whether a woman is breastfeeding, as most antibacterial drugs are not compatible with lactation. The most commonly used cephalosporins, aminopenicillins (they can be used during breastfeeding) in combination with metronidazole. In more serious situations, preference is given to the group of lincosamides, carbapenems and others.
• Anti-inflammatory drugs, antispasmodics, painkillers for symptomatic therapy.
• Lavage of the uterine cavity, in which fluid (often an antibiotic is added) enters through the catheter and “washes out” all pathogenic elements.
• Sometimes it is enough to treat with suppositories if the inflammation is localized only in the vagina.
• Additionally, immunostimulating agents can be used,.

Unpleasant discharge after childbirth, accompanied by other symptoms (pain in the lower abdomen, fever, etc.), should always attract increased attention from the woman. Indeed, during this period, the body's defenses are reduced so much that even conditional pathogens can cause diseases. Finally, only a specialist after the examination will be able to say finally why, after childbirth, discharge with an unpleasant odor and how to most effectively carry out the treatment.

Pregnancy is over, a small miracle is on hand and the body of a young mother needs time to restore reproductive functions and the usual work of the genitourinary system.

Women, especially those who have become mothers for the first time, are concerned about the question: how long does the discharge last after childbirth and what should they be like in the norm?

Duration of postpartum lochia

The duration of postpartum discharge in a young mother is on average about 6-8 weeks, in obstetrics they are called lochia.

The recovery period of each woman in childbirth is different: for one woman it can take about 1 month, for another - up to 2 months.

This largely depends on the history of labor, the intervals between childbirth, the lactation period in the past, the state of the woman's immune system.

Lochia 3 months after birth is usually mucous, not abundant, whitish or yellowish in color - this is the norm and indicates that the uterus has returned to its physiological state.

What should be the postpartum discharge?

On the first day after delivery, a large amount of blood is released from the genital tract of the puerperal, in which large clots may be present.

On the second and third days after delivery, the lochia becomes light red with an admixture of mucus, still copious.

By the end of the first week, the discharge resembles brown mucus with the presence of blood streaks and small clots. When straining, lifting weights, physical overstrain, they can increase.

By the end of the second week after the birth of the baby, the mucous secretions are replaced by watery, and acquire a yellow or brownish tint.

This will continue for about a month.

In addition to the duration of the recovery period of the uterus and reproductive functions, women often ask the doctor the question - what should be the postpartum discharge?

Normally, lochia should not have an unpleasant odor, impurities of pus, and are also not accompanied by pain and fever.

A month after the birth, the discharge is normally transparent, yellowish or brownish in color, there should be no more blood.

Yellow postpartum discharge

Dangerous symptoms

Yellow postpartum discharge appears in a young mother about 6-8 days after the placenta has passed, and before them there are quite abundant and intense bloody, which become paler every day.

The appearance of yellow lochia is due to the presence of a large number of white blood cells (leukocytes) in them and indicates that the healing process of the uterine cavity is in accordance with the norms.

At first, lochia is abundant, but every day they become less and less, and by the end of 2 months after delivery, they completely disappear.

Sometimes the appearance of yellow discharge signals a pathological process occurring in the uterus, and a woman should immediately seek gynecological care.

Dangerous symptoms are:

• Bloody discharge a month after childbirth, which replaced yellow;
• Pain in the lower abdomen with irradiation to the lower back of a cramping character;
• Increase in body temperature up to 39-40 degrees;
• An admixture of pus in the discharge;
• Nausea, vomiting, increasing weakness;
• Bad smell of rot.

Such signs indicate the development of an infectious-inflammatory process in the uterus, which requires immediate examination and adequate therapy, otherwise the puerperal may develop blood poisoning.

Unpleasant discharge after childbirth indicates the addition of a bacterial infection, the development of endometritis, or incomplete discharge of the child's place.

Bloody postpartum discharge

After the birth of a child, the uterus begins to contract intensively, as a result of which the child's place (placenta) departs, this organ has fulfilled its function and is no longer needed in the body.

When the placenta is delivered, the blood vessels that connect it to the uterine wall rupture. At the moment of rupture of the vessels, the blood from them pours into the uterine cavity, which is accompanied by further bloody discharge from the genital tract.

Normally, blood is released only on the first day after childbirth, and its volume usually does not exceed 250 ml; on the second day, a large amount of bloody-mucous discharge leaves the uterus, in which large clots are present.

As the uterus involutes, they will lighten, shrink and become watery daily.

If the discharge has ended and red has begun again, you need to contact a gynecologist for an examination.

Brown postpartum discharge is usually very scary for new mothers, but do not worry - this is normal.

Brown staining is caused by the admixture of dead particles of the endometrium, clots with coagulated blood, products of the involutional process in the uterus.

Most often, the brown color of the lochia is observed in the second week after childbirth, however, the appearance of smearing brown veins by the end of the first month is not excluded, which is not a pathology if the young mother feels good at the same time.

Discharge after childbirth with a smell - a reason to beware

The smell of lochia is not unpleasant, rather it resembles the smell of dampness or menstrual flow. Appearance unpleasant putrid odor should alert a woman and become a reason for an immediate consultation with a gynecologist.

A similar smell may indicate that a piece of the placenta remains in the uterus, and tissue decomposition processes have begun. As a rule, severe pain in the lower abdomen, high body temperature (over 39 degrees) and an admixture of pus in the discharge quickly join the clinical picture.

In rare cases, the appearance of an unpleasant odor from postpartum lochia can occur if a woman does not change disposable sanitary pads in a timely manner or does not follow the rules of personal intimate hygiene.

A similar attitude to one's health after childbirth threatens the development of serious inflammatory diseases of the uterus and its appendages as a result of the penetration of pathogens.

After giving birth, women have bloody discharge - lochia - for several weeks. They are bright red in color, contain small blood clots, placenta and small particles of dead epithelium. Normal vaginal discharge after childbirth has the smell of menstrual blood, but with a more pronounced intensity.

Unpleasant smell of discharge after childbirth

Discharge with an unpleasant odor after childbirth can signal the onset of an inflammatory process in the uterus. In this case, you should immediately consult a doctor.

In what cases is it necessary to consult an obstetrician-gynecologist:

• if postpartum discharge has a putrid or other repulsive odor;
• lochia have an unpleasant odor and are bright yellow or yellow-green in color;
• the discharge is normal smelling after childbirth, but too profuse and with large blood clots.

All of the above symptoms mean a deviation from the norm and are associated with inflammation in the female reproductive system in the postpartum period. Naturally, the first thing a woman who has given birth pays attention to is how the discharge smells after childbirth. If the intensity and discoloration of lochia can be taken for granted, then discharge with an unpleasant odor after childbirth will definitely make a woman alert.

Causes of discharge with a smell after childbirth

The most common and dangerous cause of the appearance of "stinky" discharge after childbirth is inflammation of the uterine mucosa - endometritis. It is characterized by the appearance of yellow-brown or green discharge with an unpleasant putrid odor. In severe cases, there is fever and chills. Endometritis is treated only under the supervision of a physician, since self-treatment can be fatal.

The unpleasant smell of secretions may also indicate the stagnation of lochia in the uterus and their insufficient exit to the outside. In this case, in order to prevent decay of the accumulated masses, scraping can be prescribed. This will avoid inflammation and save the uterus from more serious intervention. In principle, in many maternity hospitals, "oxytocin" is administered to stimulate uterine contractions in the next three days after childbirth, which helps to discharge secretions well.

Infectious diseases of the genital tract, such as chlamydia, gardnerellosis, etc., can also cause an unpleasant smell of discharge after childbirth. To make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor will conduct an examination, and after the results of the tests, prescribe treatment.

After childbirth, every woman has spotting from the vagina - lochia, which becomes lighter over time. This phenomenon is considered normal. Dead epithelial cells and blood cells come out of the uterus. Sometimes the discharge after childbirth acquires a persistent unpleasant odor. Can such a condition signal the presence of a pathological process and what to do if there is a yellow discharge with a clear rotten smell?

What should be the normal discharge after childbirth?

For 1.5–2 months after childbirth, the female body gradually returns to its original state. The uterus begins to shrink and decrease in size, while characteristic discharges appear - lochia.

In the first few days after the birth of the baby, the discharge is quite abundant and bloody. Then the intensity of lochia decreases, although with sneezing, coughing or physical exertion, their short-term increase is observed. As a rule, the discharge does not smell of anything or has a slight smell of blood - this is considered a normal natural phenomenon.

Causes of bad smelling discharge

Dear reader!

This article talks about typical ways to solve your questions, but each case is unique! If you want to know how to solve your particular problem - ask your question. It's fast and free!

Usually, postpartum discharge has a slight smell of blood in the first 5-7 days. When the lochia becomes less intense and their color changes to a slightly yellowish color, they can acquire a smell of preli, which, with careful personal hygiene, is very weak. This condition is considered the limit of the norm.

The uncharacteristic smell of secretions occurs due to inflammatory or infectious diseases of the reproductive system. The causes of an unpleasant smell in an intimate place are described in the table:

Type of smell	Associated symptoms	Causes
fishy smell	There are abundant gray discharge, discomfort in the genital area	Bacterial vaginosis, personal hygiene, antibiotic treatment
Sour smell	Itching and burning in the genital area, copious white discharge mixed with cheesy formations	Violation of the microflora of the vagina, the growth of Candida fungus (thrush), decreased immunity
Putrid smell	Yellow discharge mixed with pus, hyperthermia, ulcers on the genitals (with gonorrhea), greenish secretion with foamy contents (with trichomoniasis)	Infection during childbirth (eg, emergency home birth), peritonitis, colpitis, endometritis, puerperal ulcer, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, placenta in uterus
The smell of urine	Discomfort when urinating, pain in the bladder area, lochia mixed with urine, pain	Vaginal fistulas, tissue damage during childbirth

Diagnostic measures

If an uncharacteristic discharge with an unpleasant odor appears, a woman is recommended to visit a gynecologist to find out the cause of this condition. Usually the patient needs to undergo a series of diagnostic measures:

• examination on a gynecological chair (the doctor assesses the condition of the vagina, cervix and sutures);
• a smear from the vagina to determine the pH, seeding and detection of pathogenic microflora;
• ultrasound examination of the reproductive organs;
• general analysis of urine and blood;
• biochemical blood test (if necessary).

What to do if the intimate area and discharge smell unpleasant after childbirth?

Many women are faced with the appearance of discharge after childbirth, which have a specific unpleasant odor. This may be due to insufficient personal hygiene, since it should be more thorough in the postpartum period. In addition, it is possible to attach a bacterial or fungal infection, which requires an additional examination and sampling to identify the pathogen.

Personal hygiene and healthy eating

Careful care of the intimate area will help to overcome the unpleasant smell from the vagina. Mom needs to wear breathable underwear that does not cause discomfort and squeezing.

Change sanitary pads every 2 hours to prevent infection. You can use night pads, special postpartum or disposable diapers.

You need to wash yourself after each trip to the toilet, washing the intimate area. It is better to use a neutral baby soap without fragrances and dyes.

Improper nutrition also affects the smell of secretions. It is necessary to eat foods containing useful substances and trace elements. The diet is also important when breastfeeding, because some foods can cause allergic manifestations and upset the digestive system in a child.

Medical therapy

If the doctor has established the cause of the fetid discharge, the woman is shown medication. Drugs are selected on an individual basis, since many drugs are prohibited during breastfeeding. Medical therapy may include taking:

• anti-inflammatory drugs;
• antibiotics (Ampicillin, Metronidazole);
• antipyretic drugs (Paracetamol);
• painkillers (No-Shpa).

Doctors often prescribe Oxytocin to contract the uterus and facilitate the passage of breast milk. Usually therapy is carried out immediately after childbirth and lasts up to 5 days.

In case of serious pathologies, specialists resort to systemic therapy. Sometimes a woman is advised to temporarily stop breastfeeding her baby. In this case, it is necessary to express.

Folk recipes

To relieve inflammation of the vaginal mucosa and eliminate unpleasant odor after childbirth, women often resort to folk remedies. It must be remembered that self-medication can cause complications and allergies, so before using any remedy, you will need to consult a specialist. Some folk methods are described in the table:

Folk remedy	Mode of application	Action
Tea tree oil	Add a few drops of oil to 0.5 l of boiled water and use to wash the intimate area	Reduces inflammation, is a good antiseptic
Oak bark, chamomile, sage and nettle	Dry plants in equal amounts (1 tbsp each) pour boiling water (1 l) and let it brew for half an hour, then strain. Wash with warm herbal infusion	Has an astringent effect, stops the inflammatory process, has a hemostatic property
St. John's wort	Pour a glass of boiling water over dry grass (1 tablespoon) and cook over low heat for about 20 minutes. The infusion is taken orally in the third part of a glass three times a day.	It has anti-inflammatory and tonic effect, restores the body's defenses, heals wounds
birch leaves	A dry plant (2 tablespoons) is crushed and poured with boiling water (0.5 l). Take once a day for a whole glass of infusion for a week. This should take about two weeks after delivery.	Strengthens the body, reduces inflammation

In order for the recovery process after childbirth to go without complications and unpleasant symptoms, experts recommend carefully monitoring your personal hygiene and not missing scheduled examinations by a gynecologist. Preventive measures also include:

• Frequent visits to the toilet to empty the bladder in a timely manner. Such a measure will reduce the load and pressure on the uterus.
• Put the baby to the breast more often. This will allow the uterus to recover faster, as breastfeeding helps to reduce the uterine muscles.
• During the entire recovery period (until the discharge from the vagina stops), you can not visit saunas, swimming pools, baths, or take a bath. Only warm showers are allowed.
• Change pads every 2-3 hours, wash with warm water with herbs (chamomile, string, calendula). It is forbidden to use tampons, as this disrupts the natural process of leakage of lochia and creates favorable conditions for the reproduction of pathogenic microflora.
• You can start sexual activity only after consulting a doctor (we recommend reading:). In this case, the use of a condom is mandatory to avoid infection of the intimate area.