Questions about postpartum bleeding, thrush and bacterial vaginosis (this might be long)

[boogiewoogie]

I gave birth to dd nearly 8 weeks ago and after the delivery lost 750ml of blood. The midwives couldn't explain why this happened. I continued to have blood loss up to 6 weeks but even then the blood was fresh looking as opposed to a clear discharge. I stopped bleeding for a week and it started again over the weekend, this time it has a noticeable unpleasant odour. Having done a bit of research, I suspect this might be bacterial vaginosis since I am not experiencing any other symptoms. Can anyone offer me a second opinion? I'm planning on seeing my GP tommorow about this.

Last week dd was diagnosed with thrush in the mouth and nappy thrush. We got given daktarin gel and daktacort. The mouth looks fine now but her bottom looks worse. How long does it normally take for thrush to clear up? Also, because I'm breastfeeding, what symptoms should I expect? I don't feel pains in my breasts or have anything abnormal. Any ideas?

Many thanks if you can help!

they can give you a swap test without putting a speculum up there.

it could be thrush or BV or some other type of infection, but a swab would be able to tell definitively.

you poor soul!

hope you get some answers soon.

I did suspect thrush to begin with because of dd's condition but I'm not experiencing any pain or itching down there which comes along with it.

anyone else?

Was your loss bright red fresh for the whole 8 weeks? It does sound like you have an infection but I'm thinking maybe more of a postpartum infection than thrush or BV.

Pretty much so, it stopped at 6 weeks for a few days and started up again a few days ago.

Well it shouldn't be bright red for more than a week so I suspect you've had an infection for a while or possibly a bit of retained membrane which has now caused an infection. If that is the case then antibiotics will sort it out. Did your comm m/w not ask you what your loss was like?

I told mw that loss was like a "light period". Sorry if I''m being a bit dense but how would the gp be able to distinguish a common vaginal infection from post partum infection?

Empahasise that you had fresh, red loss for 8 weeks - she/he should know thats not normal. Your loss should normally go pink, then yellowish, sometimes goes brown at stages.

Have you got any other symptoms such as abdo pain, or feeling feverish - if so then say.

GP may want to take blood to check your CRP level for sign of infection. Taking a swab as well would either confirm or rule out thrush or BV.

Check out

breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/assets/docs/pdfs/BFN_Thrush.pdf

for really good info on thrush.