Exact Answer: 6-8 Weeks
Newly become mothers might have experienced a foul or a bad smell for several weeks after the birth of their newborn coming from their vagina. Well, there should be nothing that you have to worry about because the smell is a normal thing and will continue to last for several weeks and will recover on its own.
The process of recovering from Lochia (the discharge from vagina having a foul smell) will take some time to heal and therefore one must take care of themselves during this time. You should try to visit the doctor once or twice a week to make sure that you do not have any kind of infections arising.
How Long Does Odor Last After Birth?
| Lochia discharge | It is a vaginal discharge that will be dark red in color for the first few days after giving birth. |
| The foul smell of the discharge | The foul smell will last for several weeks and it is normal. |
The journey from becoming pregnant to becoming a successful mother is tough and also quite a long one. If you are planning to become pregnant then you should know that you are making a big decision as there will be several changes that your body will go through.
After you have become a mother your body will still go through several changes and one of them is the Lochia which is a vaginal discharge. Do not worry about the discharge because it is natural and it will take about 6-8 weeks time for the discharge color to become fade.
This is the time when you have to be careful and keep yourself clean so that there would be no chance of an infection. The hormones will also contribute to the odor that your vagina discharges and you have to bear with it for several weeks.
You have to have a healthy diet because if you lack nutrition then in that case it will also be another factor contributing to the odor. In case the foul smell is becoming worse day by day then you should immediately make an appointment with the doctor because you might have an infection.
Why Does It Take That Long For Odor To Last After Birth?
The odor will last for about 6-8 weeks after giving birth to your young one. If the foul smell is becoming worse you might have an infection in your vagina. Do not ignore certain symptoms that you feel unbearable and let your doctor know about them as soon as possible.
The discharge from the vagina will just be like a menstrual discharge but in the case of Lochia, the first 3 days after giving birth would be dark red. After a couple of weeks, the discharge will be creamy or yellowish in color.
This means that as time goes by the color will change and become fade each day. If the discharge color is becoming fade then you should know that your health is improving and within a few more weeks you will be fine.
Women who have given birth naturally will experience more Lochia than a cesarean delivery. The bleeding will stop within 4-6 weeks after you have given birth to your young one in case the delivery method was cesarean.
Even breastfeeding will have some change and your breasts may become leak some fluid. The leaking might occur for a few if you are breastfeeding your child and will stop initially after a couple of weeks. You should wear safety gear like breast pads that might help you keep the area dry.
Conclusion
In the end, you have to be careful and above all, you have to be as safe as possible. If the discharge is not normal then you should immediately talk to a doctor as soon as possible. There might be a chance of infection and you should let your doctor examine it.
If you are feeling uncomfortable while breastfeeding then you can apply ice packs or wear a supportive bra for feeling comfortable a bit. You should constantly be in touch with your healthcare provider and so that he knows about your progress every day.
