Wearing loose-fitting clothes will allow your scar the space it needs to heal. A C-section is a major surgical procedure. Mothers who are obese are at a higher rate of getting an infection. My incision finally healed and after a couple of days it stopped smelling. Its the smell of sweat. And I'm sorry.I hope you're feeling better soon, or someone can help you. Has anyone elseexperiencedthis and should i beconcerned? Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. If you are regularly cleaning and drying your wound, there is no reason for it to smell. 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. I just had a c-section for the second time on Sept 24, 2007 for the birth of my beautiful son Andrew. ! I just had a c-section for the second time on Sept 24, 2007 for the birth of my beautiful son Andrew. Are you experiencing any pain in your abdomen?? Vertical. 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. Well, 18 days PP I developed a yeast infection on the incision. 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. Good luck. Create an account or log in to participate. Your doctor will examine your wound and its potential cause. Step 3 is intended for use after the wound is completely closed. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Meanwhile, your stomach can be closed with either surgical staples, non-dissolvable stitches, or surgical glue. Try using an over the counter fungus cream for a couple of days and see if it helps. If properly cleaned regularly, your scar should not smell bad or look red. Doctors usually advise waiting at least 6 weeks, however, An incisional hernia is a rare complication of a C-section. 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. Although you may be busy looking after your newborn, it is vital to keep up with caring for your c-section scar. I wasnt drying myself as well as I needed to plus I have an apron so this happened to me. 8. 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. I also had a C Section about 2 years ago. I have had three c sections but my second one didn't fully close for a year and a half and had a nasty smell. My skin was inflamed and got a bit infected. By Jennifer Aline. As long as it is kept clean and dry, it should not smell. This incision extends from the belly button to the pubic hairline. In some cases, clear fluid may also seep out of the wound. It is also more common because it heals faster and is less painful. 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. When our body fights infections, we get a host of flu-like symptoms. The moisture from your sweat can make the area prone to infections. Never touch your incision with dirty hands, and avoid going near anything dirty while exposed. 2005-2023Everyday Health, Inc., a Ziff Davis company. This will usually require taking a sample from the wound and sending it to a laboratory for analysis. Sometimes, issues arise at the hospital or home after youve gotten your stitches. Experts recommend keeping exercise to a gentle walk in the first six weeks postpartum, so your body can heal. 2004-2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. Anyone else still feeling kind of depressed about their post partum body even 9 months later? I would not feel bad about yourself at all. You might find it hard to bend over to sniff your abdomen, thanks to your scar tissue tightening the skin near your hips. I just took a shower and followed your advice about blow drying it. If you can't figure out the smell I would see your dr. Go to the doc and have them check it out just to be safe. Even after giving birth, you should still have a regular appointment with your doctor for them to monitor your healing progress. 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. A doctor will first try to determine the presence and severity of an infection through a physical examination. My guess then is a bit of yeast infection. If you feel a message or content violates these standards and would like to request its removal please submit the following information and our moderating team will respond shortly. I knowgross. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. You May Have Gas Painsin Your Shoulders. My doctor told me to get a clean wash cloth wet it a little and run it along the scar, let it air dry , then sprinkle baby powder on the scar. If you are . 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. We avoid using tertiary references. It's usually due to a bacterial infection in the . But definitely get checked out it's not worth the risk, honestly I have a belly that hangs over my incision and it was hard to get into it to clean it, so it smelled so bad bur got it checked multiple times and it wasn't infected. I hope it goes away quickly and enjoy your new baby! Good luck and if you want any more support feel free to write me directly or we could talk on the phone! 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. Incisional infections affect the wound site itself, either in the skin or the deeper tissues around the wound. Everything seemed to be healing well but today i noticed my incision is leaking clear/bloody discharge. Every year, millions of infants are born through C-sections. However, I want to stress that this is very rare, and with the correct aftercare on your wound, it is improbable this will happen to you, so dont worry too much about this possibility. A visit to your doctor is the best option. But with proper care from both you and your doctor, you can go home safely with your healed belly and happy baby. These conditions weaken the immune system and make bacteria harder to ward off. If so, it could be a yeast infection. Answer (1 of 8): If the foul smell is recent, then Martha Kirtley's answer that you have an infection is probably correct, and you should SEE A DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. My doctor says nothing is wrong just keep it clean, but I think maybe I need a second opinion because I bathe all the time and it still smells bad. A lot of consideration needs to be taken to avoid irritating your cesarean incision during recovery to reduce the risk of getting infected. Bleeding and discharge after delivery is called lochia. But with early detection, your doctor can administer the correct medicines you will need. could it be becuse i do not keep it dry enough ? Go sooner if you feel unwell or incision looks red/hot. In Conversation: Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? Yeh my c-section smell to n it kinda open and I jst had my baby grl 3months ago n it kinda hrts.. And am scared kause I might b pregnant to.. Any advised on dat wat kan I do.. This becomes more crucial if . I could smell the odor as the blow dryer pushed the air up. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice or feel that your incision is pulling apart. and you obviously don't have time to have health problems with two kids! The results of these tests can provide information about the infection, such as the type of microbes causing it. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Empowering Your Family to Thrive in Life's Journey. If you notice any of these symptoms on your c-section incision, then you might want to have it checked by your healthcare provider or your doctor because it could be infected. This procedure is used for many reasons, including prolonged labor, high-risk pregnancy, large babies, multiples, fetal distress, breech presentation, a previous cesarean . An out-of-place smell is one indication that can tell you that something has gone wrong. 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. Having two or more infants can also be a factor. 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. When it becomes infected, it starts to smell like rotting flesh gross, I know! Vaginal discharge with large blood clots. 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. i had a c section four months ago but it smells and it has scared on the side but whitesh on the middle.anyone with a similar problem? If you are not doing something right or your C-section incision is infected, they could prevent more serious complications. It sounds as if you have gotten alot of great advice..I might not use the cornstarch if I were you. Stage 1: Swelling. This means it should really be unlikely to smell. As a result, it is crucial that you take the best possible care of your C-Section. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Some people like to keep a maxi pad over the incision to absorb sweat or drainage. What many women fail to realize is that there is going to be a very large amount of recovery time required after the surgery. 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. Smelly scars arent the only way to tell if your c-section incision is infected, though. Every time I shower I blow dry it to get it good and dry then I use a folded over pad and stick it in the crease to catch sweat throughout the day. This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. After the procedure, your doctor will need to close up your uterus and abdomen. One sign of an internal infection is the presence of fever. Instead, focus on nutrient-dense foods with lots of vitamins and proteins to help aid recovery and reduce your risk of infection. Here are some ways you can keep your C-section dry: Put a sanitary pad or cloth diaper over the wound with the soft side down. It may open slightly or significantly. In some instances, it can also be fatal. They occur in around 215 percent of all C-section surgeries. Ewww, I had the same problem! If you're prone to skipping showers or not brushing your teeth, your body odor could quickly spiral out of control. That odor might be coming from the pus. If you do suspect your cesarean scar has become infected years later, as always, make sure you see a medical professional immediately to ensure there are no underlying causes and get antibiotic treatment started. Uncommon: Sometimes, women feel an incision will "itch" after a c-section. I dont know what else to do. Your surgeon will use dissolvable stitches for your uterus, which will gradually dissolve during the healing process. Swimming After C-Section: When and How to Start. Here are some signs that your C-section incision needs to be checked for possible infection: An infection is the last thing we want after just going through pregnancy for 9 months and major surgery to safely deliver your precious baby. Am I Feeling Flutters at 9 Weeks Pregnant? Having a high ratio of body fat to muscle puts strain on your bones and your internal organs. 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. Hardening, swelling, or bulging of the incision site. Good luck. It can either be administered through IV or taken orally. How do I know my c-section incision is infected? Therefore, please consult the doctor if there is a foul odor in the wound as infection necessitates immediate medical attention. Hernias can cause dangerous health issues, so it is important to know the symptoms. Water alone will not cure an infection, but it can help recover from it. ( 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. Personal Hygiene. Please specify a reason for deleting this reply from the community. Symptoms usually appear within a few days of surgery. Note that once you confirm, this action cannot be undone. I have a 24& 25 year old son&daughter and still have 2 clean the scar line with alcohol cause after all this time it still will smell cause of the overhang of skin.i am only 120 lbs. Anyone Out There Had a C-section That Did Not Close? I still have the steri strips on it and I think those are holding the odor. My Incision took forever to heal (Felt like it) and my dr said to keep it dry. It's very common for your C section scar to be itching as it heals. Wearing too tight clothes can pull on the weakened scar tissue, leading to your incision opening and an infection manifesting. Directly or we could talk on the incision, please consult the doctor if there is a bit yeast. Diagnostic advice scars arent the only way to tell if your c-section incision is infected, it starts to like!, but it can either be administered through IV or taken orally immune system and bacteria. 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