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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Slight off smell to lochia - should I worry?

5 replies

AnybodyHomeMcFly · 03/04/2009 23:37

I gave birth to my second baby six days ago, normal vaginal delivery and only a couple of stitches. Lochia has been easing off quite nicely and going pinky.

However it has always had a slightly fishy smell to it - I wouldn't say foul/offensive although it would be if it were stronger.

And then today - which is the first day I've been up and about I had a bit of a gush of bright red blood after coughing. I feel fine and no fever or anything but should I be worrying about post partum infection?

OP posts:
Northernlurker · 03/04/2009 23:41

I believe that the foul smell is so foul you can't mistake it for anything else!

Ime a bit of brighter blood is normal when you become more active. Call the midwife if it is prolonged, or you have any pain, pass clots or feel even a little bit off.

Are you breastfeeding? If so, is baby still taking it well? I had an infection after dd1's birth and in retrospect the first signs of that were that she fed and fed but just wasn't happy or settled, cried and cried and so of course did I.

callmeovercautious · 03/04/2009 23:49

Well using towels is never a nice smell ime. As long as you are changing the towel reg it should not get too bad. Slightly fishy sounds normal to me for a ST after an hour or 2. Blood goes off, just like leaving raw meat out of the fridge (sorry if that is too graphic!) and it does smell. Lochia is heavier than any period so probably just more noticable?

If you are worried call the midwife tomorrow, mine was great with Q like this

Original poster
AnybodyHomeMcFly · 03/04/2009 23:49

That's interesting about the feeding NL, yes I am and it is going well so hopefully it's a positive sign.

OP posts:
Original poster
AnybodyHomeMcFly · 03/04/2009 23:51

Thanks callme, maybe I have been leaving it a bit long between changes as the flow has diminished so much

OP posts:
Northernlurker · 03/04/2009 23:54

Yes callme - I asked my midwife about my lochia with dd3 and she had a quick look at my pad and said that if anything was wrong the smell would knock you across the room! They've seen it all haven't they, those midwives!

OP - glad feeding is going well, just keep an eye on things and don't hesitate to go to hospital if you do start feeling crap.

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