Regardless of the type of your c-section incision, it should feel better by 2 weeks but would completely heal between 6 weeks up to 3 months. Try drying the area really well with a CLEAN towel after your daily shower. Create an account or log in to participate. Congrats on your little one by the way! As long as there aren't any signs of redness or swelling around the incision, it usually just means that the incision is healing. Note that once you confirm, this action cannot be undone. Because the skin around your wound is vulnerable to tears and heavy lifting involves using your core. 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. When your bowels become sluggish after surgery, gas can press on the diaphragm, trigger a nerve and extend the pain to the shoulders. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. ViaL Shutterstock, custom image by Adam Jeffers for Moms.com. Make sure it's the powder and not the cream or ointment as the these are too oclusive and will only worsen the situation. I had that problem also after my first son. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Most of the time, its because the mother or the babys safety is in the line. Too much force on your body can force your wound to re-open. ), are at a higher rate of getting an infection. I just had to respond! You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Now that you know the ways to help prevent c-section infections in the weeks and months following your surgery, you might be wondering about the implications of your c-section scar a few years later. 4 Weeks Postpartum C Section Incision Not Completely Closed Up. I also had a clear discharge come out of it thats what made the odor. (Although, in other cases, pus can . think twice before sharing personal details, foster a friendly and supportive environment, remove fake accounts, spam and misinformation, delete posts that violate our community guidelines, reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts. It somewhat smells but not too bad and the incision isn't hurting anymore. Other common types of bacteria that can cause the infection include Enterococcus and Escherichia coli. Certain factors increase the risk of experiencing a C-section wound infection. Congrats on the baby! Sometimes a little switch of doctors helps. We respect everyones right to express their thoughts and opinions as long as they remain respectful of other community members, and meet What to Expects Terms of Use. Why does it smell so bad??! Anyway it's been about 6 weeks and the stinkin odor is back and very offensive I made a Dr appt but my real question is has anyone had this problem? A cesarean will make you feel uncomfortable for the first few days. The views expressed in community are solely the opinions of participants, and do not reflect those of What to Expect. Try using an over the counter fungus cream for a couple of days and see if it helps. Hydration is critical in your postpartum recovery as it keeps your skin hydrated, reducing the risk of your scar opening. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. 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. Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners. Your mind may find itself running to the worst-case scenario, putting even more stress on you in an already stressful situation. A cesarean is a major surgery that needs care. Obesity linked to 21 genes related to Alzheimers disease, study finds, Sex after a C-section: Everything you need to know, What to know about hernias after a C-section. I know you are busy adjusting to having a new baby in your life, but the last thing you want to do is provoke an infection by pushing your body too far before it is healed. A C-section is a major surgical procedure. Didnt need to go in. Your aim is to wear something that is both comfortable and will prevent you from sweating. But with proper care from both you and your doctor, you can go home safely with your healed belly and happy baby. But the smell isnt the only sign of infection down there. Its so gross. In fact, the cesarean section surgery rate is about a third of all births in the United States. Every year, millions of infants are born through C-sections. We respect everyones right to express their thoughts and opinions as long as they remain respectful of other community members, and meet What to Expects Terms of Use. Good thing you are going to the doc though, infections can get bad if they go untreated. You should not have a smell, please follow up. Note that once you confirm, this action cannot be undone. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. This happens for a number of reasons. Is your incision kinda tucked in your momma chub? We strive to provide you with a high quality community experience. Uncommon: Sometimes, women feel an incision will "itch" after a c-section. They didn't tell me to, but I used neosporin anti biotic creme on the incision cite to protect it from infection as a precaution. My doc said it may smell as it heals lol but i dont trust that. Therefore, please consult the doctor if there is a foul odor in the wound as infection necessitates immediate medical attention. abnormal vaginal bleeding. 8. will be above the pubic area, so its easier to hide. Iam having the same problem has you! So my doctor suggested I shove a Kotex pad in there to draw the moisture away from the incision and it TOTALLY worked. They both like moist areas to grow in, like the fold in your stomache after a baby. Mostly it was if I took a day off from showering (with a newborn, showers didn't always happen). Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. It will likely appear somewhat puffy. If in doubt, dont hesitate to call your doctor to get professional advice. 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? I knowgross. When drying, make sure you pat rather than rub as the rubbing can lead to aggravation which can cause an infection to start. High fevers can be dangerous to the body, so it is essential to treat them immediately. 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. what do you think is it normal? Can you tell if your c-section internal stitches have ruptured. Learn more about. Cesarean parents are also 16% more likely to have post-operative complications like bleeding and infection. They occur in around 215 percent of all C-section surgeries. Works great. In rare cases, a c-section incision may not heal properly. In your case, it is uncommon for it to itch so many years after . Gently wash it with mild soap and water. I never got any infection. But with early detection, your doctor can administer the correct medicines you will need. It could be a yeast infection or fungus. Symptmes de grossesse ne jamais ignorer, Moyens naturels pour dclencher l'accouchement. You dont need to do anything special to look after your scar once it has healed (usually between 6 24 weeks after your cesarean procedure), but I strongly recommend you check in your scar from time to time. Its probably infected mine was after my first c section and I just had to put antibiotic cream on it, Is it itchy? It is usually red and swelling and if your incision is properly clean or healing then it should not be any of those. My guess then is a bit of yeast infection. 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. All I had to do was write my doc a message and I sent her pictures. Having two or more infants can also be a factor. It should not smell, as I'm sure you know, and you should TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS. Hope that helps. Meet other parents of July 2018 babies and share the joys and challenges as your children grow. Just a thought!! So I go in there.. Yeah, I'll second the blow dryer thing. I have autoimmune diseases and had bad yeast smells and infection on a c-section scar ever since I was cut open, going on 7 years of suffering. Good luck. 2005-2023Everyday Health, Inc., a Ziff Davis company. 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. Today I had a look at it in the mirror, but when I lifted the very attractive fold of skin up to have a look, I noticed a weird smell coming from it. Avoid tight shirts, leggings, or underwear that can rub and irritate your incision. We keep them up because there are a ton of great conversations here and we believe you deserve to see them all. This procedure is used for many reasons, including prolonged labor, high-risk pregnancy, large babies, multiples, fetal distress, breech presentation, a previous cesarean . Getting a C-section can help make pregnancy a little bit easier. Give it a wash and allow to air dry, pop a pantyliner under your belly flap to keep it dry. As long as it is kept clean and dry, it should not smell. A common sign of infection is to have a high fever (103F or above). I just took a shower and followed your advice about blow drying it. Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners. We work hard to share our most timely and active conversations with you. This is classic for a skin yeast infection, so it is unfortunate that the anti-fungal cream did not work. Not only is it essential to eat healthily so that your incision has the vitamins, minerals, and amino acids needed to repair itself, what you eat can also affect infections. It wasn't my incision that had the bad odor but my skin around the incision. G. K. Dear A.find a doctor who will really hear you. When the skin has grown back over the incision, try covering it with some dry cloth. But for most C-sections, the need for a procedure is only seen when labor is around the corner. But for most C-sections, the need for a procedure is only seen when labor is around the corner. A low-transverse incision (or a "bikini cut") is used in 95 percent of C-sections today. Keeping the wound clean and in a sterile environment can help reduce the risk of infection. My staph infection smelled BAD, was red/inflamed/splotchy, oozed . could it be becuse i do not keep it dry enough ? That moment you realize your c-section incision is radiating a strong, unpleasant smell can be really scary. I shower daily but I also still have night sweats almost every night. The bacterium Staphylococcus aureus is the most common microbe to cause C-section wound infections. I have healed with no infection, but for some reason no matter how much I wash and dry there it still has an odor. Keep a close eye on the incision site for any signs of infection and if any areas are opening. What to Expect has thousands of open discussions happening each day. If your sweat always seems to smell, one (or a combination) of these causes could be the culprit. ALso any time you are just home hanging out and not out and about, Keep the area open (No panties) but place a dry cloth on it too to keep the crease (If you even have a crease or tummy over the incision).. Wound odor, also referred to as malodor, is typically the result of necrotic tissue or bacterial colonization in the wound bed. Maybe that is why it smells? It isn't painful or oozing, and doesnt look worrisome. I just gave birth 6 weeks ago and my incision became infected before I left the hospital.I reported foul odor, extreme pain and ample drainage.I was told that the drainage and pain were normal and that the odor was from me having extra skin lying over the incision and sweating . My Incision took forever to heal (Felt like it) and my dr said to keep it dry. In some instances, it can also be fatal. This can lead to the scar tissue becoming infected years down the line. You said you had pain and odor then was medicated and it went away..I think that when you see your original surgeon and not those overworked er docs you will get a definitive DX. Not the cream or ointment as the these are too oclusive and will prevent you from sweating a surgery... Bikini cut & quot ; after a C-section can help reduce the risk of scar. Correct medicines you will need yeast infection, so its easier to hide de grossesse jamais... Felt like it ) and my dr said to keep it dry the... 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