Postpartum lochia smells brown

For postpartum women, the appearance of lochia is a very normal phenomenon. Under normal circumstances, lochia does not have any peculiar smell and its color is similar to that of leucorrhea. However, the lochia of many postpartum women has a bad smell and is brown in color. This may indicate that there are certain problems with the health of the postpartum women and they need to be treated in time. Next, I will introduce to you some relevant knowledge about the smell of postpartum lochia!

1. Is it normal for postpartum lochia to have a foul odor?

It is abnormal for postpartum lochia to have a foul odor. It is an abnormality of lochia and is mostly caused by intrauterine infection. Normal lochia has a bloody smell but no odor, and its color and contents change over time. In the first week after delivery, the amount of lochia is large and bright red in color, containing a large amount of blood, small blood clots and necrotic decidual tissue, which is called red lochia. After one week to half a month, the amount of blood in the lochia decreases and the lochia turns into a light red serous fluid, which is called serous lochia. After half a month to within 3 weeks, the lochia no longer contains blood, but it contains a large number of white blood cells, which makes the lochia viscous and turns white or light yellow, so it is called white lochia; postpartum lochia generally lasts about 2-4 weeks.

2. What is the reason for the smell of postpartum lochia?

Postpartum lochia has a foul odor, which is mainly related to poor uterine recovery, intrauterine residues, and infection. Conditions such as vaginitis, wound infection, uterine cavity infection, and poor uterine involution can cause changes in the color, properties, and odor of lochia. After giving birth, women may have wounds on the vulva and vagina. In addition, the cervix has not yet closed, and there is a large wound after the placenta is separated from the uterine cavity. In addition, the presence of lochia in the vagina and perineum also provides a favorable environment for bacterial growth, which can easily cause infection. If the wound is infected, there will be redness, swelling, heat and pain at the wound; if the uterine cavity is infected, there will be fever, abdominal pain, lochia that lasts for a long time and is purulent and has a foul odor; if accompanied by heavy bleeding and the uterus is large and soft, it often indicates poor uterine recovery.

3. What to do if postpartum lochia has a bad smell

If the lochia after delivery has a foul odor, you should have a follow-up check in time and go to the hospital for a routine blood test and B-ultrasound examination to determine whether there are any residues in the uterus, whether the white blood cell count is elevated, and whether there is any uterine infection. Treatment should be conducted after the diagnosis is confirmed. The doctor will give intravenous infusions to fight infection and promote uterine contraction based on the specific condition.

4. How to take care of the postpartum lochia with bad smell

During the postpartum period, when women have lochia with a foul odor, in addition to seeking medical treatment in time, they should pay attention to keeping the perineum clean and hygienic at home, wash the vulva with warm water every day; change sanitary napkins frequently (it is recommended to change one every 2 hours), keep fresh, and wear pure cotton underwear; avoid spicy food, fish, shrimp and other irritating foods; avoid sexual intercourse to reduce the occurrence of infection; insist on breastfeeding, which is conducive to the recovery of the uterus; when the lochia decreases and the body tends to recover, the mother can be encouraged to get up and move around appropriately, which will help the circulation of qi and blood and the discharge of residual turbidity in the uterus.