If you had any pubic hair shaved at the time of . Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? Make sure to super wash and rinse in the shower every day but don't super rub it. Best of luck! I had a c-section with my daughter and I did get a slight odor at times. ( he also told me to put a maxi pad on the scar w/ the baby powder, but I didn't I let it air out) This worked for me, I hope it works for you. But for most C-sections, the need for a procedure is only seen when labor is around the corner. Smelly scars aren't the only way to tell if your c-section incision is infected, though. In babies and adults with incontinence, intertrigo can show up as diaper rash. Infection can happen to anybody. This happens for a number of reasons. Your post will be hidden and deleted by moderators. Please select a reason for escalating this post to the WTE moderators: Connect with our community members by starting a discussion. Well, 18 days PP I developed a yeast infection on the incision. A lot of consideration needs to be taken to avoid irritating your cesarean incision during recovery to reduce the risk of getting infected. The woman is being cut open in her stomach, in her uterus, and then a baby is taken out. Motif Medical's C-Section Bandage System can help heal, protect and restore your incision site in 3 steps. Production of excess collagen also causes this type . abnormal swelling, redness, and pain around the wound. I'm so glad I'm not the only one with a stinky incision! It doesnt look infected or anything? Were proud to be a team of writers who are truly passionate about all things health.Coming together from all parts of the world, we share a common goal of helping serve many with our comprehensive research and clear writing style. A Group Leader is a What to Expect community member who has been selected by our staff to help maintain a positive, supportive tone within a group. A., Endometritis. Nystatin powder (also a prescription . Wear loose-fitting clothes - If you are panicking about sweating and making your c-section incision moist, try to wear clothes that keep you at a comfortable temperature. God bless. Appointments 216.444.6601. Plus, rough activities can expose you to bacteria. They occur when harmful microbes, such as the bacterium S. aureus, reach the wound site. So I go in there.. Incisional endometriosis is rare. The rash extends just beyond where opposing skin folds overlap. Water alone will not cure an infection, but it can help recover from it. We work hard to share our most timely and active conversations with you. Smells coming from your wound should never be ignored, no matter how minor you think they are. Is The Last Month the Worst Month of Pregnancy? Never touch your incision with dirty hands, and avoid going near anything dirty while exposed. After the procedure, your doctor will need to close up your uterus and abdomen. A C-section is a major surgical procedure. That odor might be coming from the pus. (Although, in other cases, pus can . Whatever the reason may be, a C-section can help speed the process and even save the lives of a mom and child. Pat the area dry after cleaning. A cesarean section (or C-section) is a very common, well-established operation that many people have when delivering a baby. If you are smelling your scar, it is likely the infection is quite nasty and needs antibiotics. The best way to avoid getting to the point of infection is to look after your body and support your own recovery by taking it easy and following the steps in this post. If it's red and malodorous in the skin fold, it could be a superficial infection like yeast (would also be red and spotted). Cesarean section, C-section, or Cesarean birth is the surgical delivery of a baby through a cut (incision) made in the mother's abdomen and uterus. This is also a result of the bacteria that cause the above-mentioned abscesses, resulting in a condition called endometritis. Neglect from doctors and hospital staff can also lead to an infection. I am sure due to where the incision is it is hard for it to breath under your clothes. It's common to have a small leak in the incision within the fold too. Most doctors dont recommend vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) for moms whove had two or more c-sections. If the incision is red/and or is burning it could be infected. (Although, in other cases, pus can also be odorless. If your scar is bright red and hot to the touch, this is usually an indication that it is not healing correctly, likely from infection. I suggest you try another Doctor. We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. Try using an over the counter fungus cream for a couple of days and see if it helps. Health care providers use it when they believe it is safer for the mother, the baby, or both. Keep a close eye on the incision site for any signs of infection and if any areas are opening. if so what was the outcome I'm curious because I feel really bad about myself and this odor because I'm a very clean person who showers everyday. Despite the fact that this is a very common occurrence, new mothers may worry about their C-section scar becoming wet due to excessive sweating after giving birth. Help! Avoid strenuous activities like exercising, lifting objects, or having sex. 11 days postpartum, im having very bad smelling vaginal discharge, most like peeing bloody discharge, i cant tolerate the smell, its that bad.having chills, asked my husband to take picture of my incision. Air-dry the wound if possible. Here is a list of some things you could do to make sure your C-section wound heals as soon as your body would allow it: The postpartum period is probably one of the most challenging times as a mother, and we just want to recover and feel ourselves again. Gently wash it with mild soap and water. Dont rush back into everyday life before your body has appropriately healed just because other mothers around you may have healed faster. A post-cesarean wound infection is an infection that occurs after a C-section, which is also referred to as an abdominal or cesarean delivery. Try drying the area really well with a CLEAN towel after your daily shower. They occur in around 215 percent of all C-section surgeries. One sign of an internal infection is the presence of fever. Symptoms usually appear within a few days of surgery. Every mother has a unique body that heals in its own time, and yours is no exception. Your doctor might prescribe antibacterial . Yeah I agree, go see a dr. soon b/c it sounds infected. That odor might be coming from the pus. I could smell the odor as the blow dryer pushed the air up. If properly cleaned regularly, your scar should not smell bad or look red. Sepsis can be life-threatening. Organ and space infections occur when the microbes reach the surrounding areas and organs, such as the bladder or urinary tract. I just had a c-section for the second time on Sept 24, 2007 for the birth of my beautiful son Andrew. Please read my disclosure policy for more information. Your vaginal discharge could smell pretty foul because of the clots and mucus being expelled. Learn more about, Twins & Multiples: Your Tentative Time Table. Use the diluted tincture and dab on the wound using fresh, sterile gauze 3-5 times per day. If you have a smell that follows you around wherever you go and persists even after showering, it is pretty reasonable to assume it is coming from your scar. I also had a C Section about 2 years ago. Endometriosis can develop after a C-section when it develops inside the surgery scar, which is known as incisional endometriosis. i just had my first son he weighed 5lbs 8.3oz. Follow the instructions on the bottle as to how to dilute it. Leaving your wound humid will invite bacteria to grow in your skin, causing that horrible infection smell that may have led you to this article. They had to do an emerengcy c-section cause everytime i had a contraction his heart rate was dropping. Absolutely not! But keep in mind that complications are a part of any major surgery. For infections specifically, drinking lots of water will help your body get rid of some of the toxins in your body and should help your body fight infection before it spreads. Dr. Brian Enggano answered. asks from Frisco, TX on September 02, 2009 5 answers. How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction, https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/fever-in-adults2, https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/Fulltext/2009/09000/Stage_Related_Outcome_in_Twin_Twin_Transfusion.14.aspx, https://www.apsf.org/article/preventing-surgical-site-infection-after-cesarean-delivery-the-anesthesia-professionals-role/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5322852/, Skipping breakfast and fasting may compromise the immune system. Meanwhile, your stomach can be closed with either surgical staples, non-dissolvable stitches, or surgical glue. What my doctor told me to do was to take a shower and scrub as much as I could along the incision, which wasn't much, and then after getting dried off and patting that area really well you should try cleaning it with perocide/benadine. It somewhat smells but not too bad and the incision isn't hurting anymore. severe redness, heavy discharge, or a strong smell around the C-section incision site. It is also more common because it heals faster and is less painful. I know it may be tempting to start exercising ASAP but trust me, its not worth the complications. 1. You may have a bacterial infection or unterin infection that is common when you've had a csection. ! Group Black's collective includes Essence, The Shade Room and Naturally Curly. fever higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. White blood cells in your . Other common types of bacteria that can cause the infection include Enterococcus and Escherichia coli. 20 Ways C-Section Complications Still Affect Mom Years Later. Poor prenatal care and lack of antimicrobial precautions can lead to potential issues. Learn more about the connection between C-sections and endometriosis, Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. 1997-2023 BabyCenter, LLC, a Ziff Davis company. And I'm sorry.I hope you're feeling better soon, or someone can help you. Plus, as a new mother, comfort is everything! now I've been washing it directly with mild soap and the smell is gone. Why? Vaginal discharge with large blood clots. If you are worried and there is a smell, something needs to be checked out. However, the scar will be more visible, and healing will be more painful. I also had a clear discharge come out of it thats what made the odor. All Rights Reserved. Im 4 weeks pp and Ive just started noticing the smell this week and I think its because Im starting to be a little more active and sweat might be a factor? Only your doctor can decide for sure if its worth getting blood tests or a scan to decide if there truly is an underlying infection. A cesarean is a major surgery that needs care. Can you tell if your c-section internal stitches have ruptured. Uncommon: Sometimes, women feel an incision will "itch" after a c-section. It is, however, possible to reduce the risk of infection by maintaining a healthful lifestyle before the surgery. 1. Maybe that is why it smells? But the smell isnt the only sign of infection down there. Your incision is infected. Those with illnesses like. Once I started doing this, the smell has gone away. Empowering Your Family to Thrive in Life's Journey. if you have extra skin hanging over it, this is trapping in sweat etc. Carole D (24) 15/01/2018 at 8:44 am. If you are regularly cleaning and drying your wound, there is no reason for it to smell. Just clean the area with the water lightly and pat dry. Hope it helps you too. Fever-like symptoms and inflammation around a cesarean delivery, or C-section, wound could be signs of infection. Incision site infection . And heres another smelly symptom: you might find foul-smelling vaginal discharge when your incision is infected. I had some physical issues after my daughter was born too and it distracted me from just being able to enjoy those first weeks without any worries. As long as there aren't any signs of redness or swelling around the incision, it usually just means that the incision is healing. If someone has had a C-section in the past, they are more likely to get one again. It's also less likely to split if you try to have a vaginal birth after a C-section (VBAC) when delivering a future baby. It's disgusting though and I can't wait to be all healed up and back to normal. Antibiotic medications are the usual treatment for bacterial infections. I'll get some gauze right away though c: thanks for replying! They will then examine the wound and ask about the presence of fever-like symptoms. You may have bleeding from your vagina for up to 6 weeks. They do not go beyond the wound margin. Odor alone without any other physical signs of infection is tough to diagnose. I too had an odor with my c-section. In some cases, clear fluid may also seep out of the wound. Continued use of antibiotics without treating the root cause is not good for you or your baby if you are breastfeeding. I have healed with no infection, but for some reason no matter how much I wash and dry there it still has an odor. Women who had at least one Cesarean are 50% more likely to need a hysterectomy later in life than those who only had vaginal births. Your mind may find itself running to the worst-case scenario, putting even more stress on you in an already stressful situation. Group Owners uphold the core values of the brand by reporting content that violates the community guidelines. But i think it dried it! severe abdominal pain. Every year, millions of infants are born through C-sections. I also use a cloth diaper and fold it into and over my underwear to hold in place so it soaks up the moisture during the day. So my doctor suggested I shove a Kotex pad in there to draw the moisture away from the incision and it TOTALLY worked. The results of these tests can provide information about the infection, such as the type of microbes causing it. I'm nearly 2 years PP and whenever it's gets warmer than usual have issues with where my scar is. 0. There are no two ways about it. Undies hold it in place. Anyway, a c-section is obviously a much more serious surgery so I don't know if it could have something to do with the stitches or if it is just flat out infected. :). Cesarean parents are also 16% more likely to have post-operative complications like bleeding and infection. Aahhh this is so gross! Is your incision kinda tucked in your momma chub? This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. 2005-2023Everyday Health, Inc., a Ziff Davis company. In your case, it is uncommon for it to itch so many years after . Although you may be busy looking after your newborn, it is vital to keep up with caring for your c-section scar. When our body fights infections, we get a host of flu-like symptoms. Period. The views expressed in community are solely the opinions of participants, and do not reflect those of What to Expect. She called in an anti fungal cream for me. Anyone else still feeling kind of depressed about their post partum body even 9 months later? Bad or look red our body fights infections, we get a host of flu-like symptoms trapping in etc! Is the Last Month the Worst Month of Pregnancy, rough activities expose... C-Section, which is known as Incisional endometriosis other mothers around you may have bacterial... Feel an incision will & quot ; itch & quot ; itch & quot itch! 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