Lochia smells fishy after cesarean section

Caesarean section is a very common method of delivery. For pregnant women with abnormal fetal position or special physical conditions, caesarean section is a more suitable method of pregnancy. However, many women will experience the problem of fishy lochia after caesarean section. This phenomenon is not normal. When a pregnant woman encounters such a problem, she should undergo timely examination. Next, I will introduce to you some relevant knowledge about postpartum lochia!

1. How to observe postpartum lochia

One is bloody lochia. This is the secretion discharged within 1 to 4 days after delivery. It is large in amount, bright red in color, and contains blood, decidual tissue and mucus. It is similar to menstruation, or slightly more than menstruation, and sometimes contains blood clots.

The second is serous lochia. This is discharged around the 4th to 6th day after delivery. It is light red in color and contains a small amount of blood, mucus, more vaginal secretions, and bacteria.

The third is white lochia. This is the white or yellowish lochia discharged one week after delivery. It contains a large number of white blood cells, decidual cells and bacteria. It looks like leucorrhea, but there is more of it than usual. Although every parturient has lochia, the amount discharged varies from person to person, with the average total amount being about 500 to 1000 ml. The duration of lochia discharge varies from woman to woman. Normally, it will be clear in about 3 weeks. If lochia is still leaking for more than 2 months after delivery, it is considered as unclean lochia. Common causes include uterine cavity infection, residual pregnancy materials such as placenta, decidua and other tissues in the uterine cavity, and incomplete uterine involution. If the lochia is not clear one month after delivery, and is accompanied by a foul or rotten smell, or is accompanied by abdominal pain and fever, it may be an infection of the vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries; if the amount of lochia increases day by day, the color turns red and darker day by day, or blood clots appear, or there is uterine bleeding, vaginal trauma, or infection, etc., so that the lochia continues to be clear, it should be taken seriously and go to the hospital for examination and treatment in time to ensure the health of the mother after delivery.

2. How to judge whether postpartum lochia is normal

If bright red blood spots appear again after the lochia has become lighter in color, it means you need to rest well. If spotting continues after a day of bed rest, you should see a doctor. You also need to see a doctor if:

1. 4 days after delivery, the lochia is still bright red.

2. The lochia has a foul odor or you have a fever or chills.

3. Abnormal amount of bleeding (soaking a sanitary napkin within 1 hour, or blood clots larger than golf balls appear). This indicates postpartum hemorrhage and you need to go to the hospital immediately.

4. If you are bleeding heavily and feel like you are going to faint, please call an ambulance immediately.

3. Be careful if postpartum lochia has a bad smell

Postpartum lochia is a normal and common symptom for women. Similarly, lochia may also occur after a cesarean section. Postpartum lochia refers to the shedding of the endometrium after childbirth, and the mucus secreted by the uterus will also flow out of the vagina. This is lochia. However, normal lochia has a bloody smell, but it is not smelly. If the lochia has a foul smell after a caesarean section, you should be alert.

After a caesarean section, the normal total lochia content is about 500-1000 ml, with a bloody smell but no fishy odor.

If the lochia is still bloody, large in amount, with a foul odor, and sometimes contains rotten meat-like substances or fetal membrane-like substances 2 weeks after a caesarean section, and the uterus is poorly restored, then you should consider that there may be residual placenta or fetal membranes in the uterus, and heavy bleeding may occur at any time, so you should go to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment immediately.

When a puerperal infection occurs after childbirth, it can cause endometritis or myometritis. At this time, the mother will have symptoms such as fever, lower abdominal pain, increased lochia and bad odor. The lochia at this time not only has a foul odor, but also is not normal bloody or serous in color, but a turbid, dirty earthy brown color.

Whether it is a natural birth or a caesarean section, there will be lochia after delivery. Mothers should pay attention to the color and smell of the lochia. If there is a bad smell, then be alert.