TMI warning - 3 weeks post c section and smell terrible

[Travellingatthespeedoflight]

I don’t know how else to put it, but I can smell dead animal. Bleeding has almost stopped (very light bleeding for the last week or so) but the smell for the last couple of days has been AWFUL. I can’t think of how to describe it other than dead animal.

I showered mid afternoon today and can still smell it.

I don’t feel in any way unwell or have a temperature so don’t feel like its an infection. Is this something to ride out (along with showering OFTEN) or more concerning? I didn’t give birth in the area I live in, and have been discharged by the community midwifes so not sure who to ask. This is c section #4 and I’ve never had this before.

That sounds like retained products, which weirdly can still happen with a c section. I think you need to go and get checked at the GP if you can or ooh if they have already shut for Xmas.

Urg. This is what I had thought too, although without any other symptoms! I will do an e consult in the morning and see if I can see a GP….

Do you have a "pouch" or overhang? If so, it could be a yeast infection in the fold. You could ask at a pharmacy or I had a topical cream prescribed by the GP.

Definitely get this checked. I had ‘trailing membranes’ which smelt like this! So gross and definitely heading towards infection territory, sorry.

Can I ask…did you go to your GP or midwife? And…how did they check/ confirm the issue?

I thought I was relaxed/ not embarrassed about body stuff having had lots of babies but the thought of explaining this to a hcp is mortifying!

I've had a c section and didn't have that so definitely get it checked

I had the same and it was an infection in my wound. I didn’t feel particularly unwell with it either.

I had this after my c section- it was a vaginal infection- visiting midwife took a swab- well actually gave me a big cotton bud type thing and I did it and got antibiotics sorted for me the smell was unreal - this was over 20yrs ago.

Was the smell coming from your scar? I’m sure mine is from the bleeding rather than from the scar.

You definitely need to get checked tomorrow OP, it is probably only a matter of time before you start to feel ill if it's retained products or something!

Praying you get sorted asap x

I have had 2 c sections and always thought the blood smelt and looked different 🤷🏼‍♀️ maybe it was just me

Midwife here, it sounds like you have an infection. Do you have like a pregnancy assessment unit or maternity triage where you are? They will see you even if you’ve been discharged from community midwives.

I could actually see a bit of membrane hanging out and managed to wind my finger round it and pull it out (it was firmly attached and stank!) but I definitely told my community midwife about it the next morning! I too felt perfectly fine but knew it needed to come out. There’s probably a bit in there somewhere you can’t see so you’ll have to go in and have it investigated. I’d go first thing in the morning if I were you.

Thank you! I appreciate all the help.

There is an MAU at the local hospital. I’m home alone with baby and a sleeping 3 year old….can this wait until tomorrow and I can contact the community midwives? I feel a bit silly going to MAU late tonight when DH is home when I feel ok.

Having babies has lovely bits and grim bits doesn’t it! Thanks for your help, and glad you got everything sorted.

If you feel fine I'd wait till the morning, but only if you feel fine with no temperature. As PP's have said, probably an infection, very common and easy to treat, but definitely get it seen to asap in the morning