7 day old stitches (possible TMI)

[sprite25]

DD is now 7 days old, I had to have stitches after having her which I think are healing as the soreness is improving each day but despite showering every day I can smell a horrible smell coming from down there. Sometimes I can smell it straight after I get out the shower. I thought it might be the lochia but like I say despite showering and changing pads it still smells. Is this normal or not? I feel too embarrassed to mention it to anyone but worry that if I can smell it everyone else can too.

Do call MW/HV - this is quite common and no need to be embarrassed - might be a small infection which can be easily sorted. The fact the pain is betting better is good sign, though. D call MW they see this ALL the time.

Ps congrats on your LO!

My stitches got infected and it did smell funny - sort of sickly sweet. I just thought it was the lochia as it started after 2-3 days. My stitches actually opened but there was no pain, in fact it felt better as the stitches had felt tight. So yes get midwife to check.

Best wound care advice I got was on here, it was to use shower head to rinse multiple times a day and to try and give as much free exposure to air as possible.

Having a visit from MW on Monday so will ask her to check them then although I will be embarrassed about the fact I'll be all stubblely and smelly down there :( I do worry that I've damaged the stitches as I was abit constipated but needed to go and couldn't help but strain :S I did shower twice yesterday which seemed to help but wasn't sure if to do this every day as they say to keep the area dry and stuff I just feel sick at the smell and hate the idea of other people smelling me too its so gross. I have tried to have a look down there with a mirror to see if there was any signs of infection but couldn't see anything

I think I was advised to rinse the stitches regularly as they get wet from lochia anyway. Actually they told me at discharge from hospital to sit in bath but after I got infected the consultant told me this wasn't best thing to do. But if you can manage it, after you've showered lay on bed with the area exposed to air until it dries. It really helps it all heal quicker.

I had a bath daily with tea tree and lavender oil in, which helped keep it clean. It does sound like you need to be checked out just in case, as smell can sometimes mean infection. Don't worry or be ashamed!

Definitely get the midwife to check, I had to and I was embarrassed but just told myself she'd seen it a million times before (didnt help there was a student midwife with her as well!)

I was about 2 weeks after having dd when I started noticing a smell and was still in loads of pain so I was sure something was wrong but it turned out I didn't have an infection so not sure what the smell was as I was very clean down there!! But it went away after a few days.

I also tried salt baths with lavendar and eucalyptus which helped.