Help Please! - Oak Creek,WI

each time i was pregnant i could always tell before i went to the doctor because the odor was different. I asked the doctor and read a bunch of books and everything said you probably shouldn't worry unless it itches, or is green.

I agree with the other mamas. check with your doctor first. But, when you do, ask him if taking acidophilus or BioDophilus would help you out. It's the good bacteria that's in yogurt that fights off the bad bacteria. A good thing for your digestive system too. You can find it in any health food store or at your local co-op. good luck to you-k

Sounds like you may have a bacterial vaginosis infection. These are common in pregnancy due to hormonal changes. I am currently pregnant for the second time and have had three of them - all in the first half of the pregnancy (currently 38 weeks). Talk to your doctor about it. He/she may wish to treat it. There is discrepancy about whether or not they can bring on preterm labor. I was treated for all three, but when I suspected a fourth, my doc said he wouldn't treat it again unless it was bothering me as he said the most recent research is saying it does not bring on preterm labor. It is treated with pregnancy safe antibiotic for 10 days. Yeast infections often follow and it can be difficult to get the balance back. My doctor suggested eating 4-6 ounces of yogurt everyday to help. (I am lactose intolerant and couldn't believe my ears, but went ahead and started taking lactaid and faithfully eating my yogurt - haven't had a problem since).

Talk to your doctor and get over being embarassed! It is super common!!!

Good luck. Hope you get some answers and relief. And best wishes for the new little one on the way!

J.

Hi J.,

I would recommend asking your doctor about it. It may be embarrassing, but it is your health, and dealing with issues like this is his job. (And likely, you won't have been the first to ask about such a problem, nor will you be the last.) Also, a vaginal infection is the leading cause of premature birth, so it is very important to check into it if you suspect a problem. Good luck!

Hey, J.. I completely understand being self-conscious, but I hope you have an OB you feel comfortable with. When you think of all your body does when you're pregnant, it's no surprise some things start to seem odd. And this couldn't possibly be the worst thing they've ever heard! I was luckier with my second, but with my first pregnancy, I had a yeast infection, one after another, almost the entire pregnancy. That's not something I've normally suffered from, so I know it was related to the pregnancy. Definitely talk to your caregiver and see what you can find out; I know it's embarrassing, but so are a lot of the things you talk about when you're pregnant, and there's a good chance there's an easy solution!

I think a lot of women have had problems like this whether pregnant or not. But seriously do not hesitate to tell your ob gyn. Trust me they hear this all the time and they truly do not care. They aren't going to think anything at all. The bigger worry is to remove the problem. You know? Good luck I bet it is nothing.

gosh i had severe foot odor ---never had it until my firstborn and havent had it since
and my contact lense prescription changed 3 times (hormones) i would suggest that freshness stuff they advertise on tv and taking more showers--i always worried about chemicals --but my dear it should go away once baby is born --hormones do wierd things ....if you have a discharge and that is the cause try wearing a maxipad too--to change frequently--there are all sortos of body freshner spray ons to try--and yes it all can be embarassing but hey once you have kids --alot stops being embarassing been there done that -im 43 have 2 kids and 13 y.o son and 3 y.o.son --see your doctor --you may just need to eat yogurt --but sounds like you need a check up to see if its an infection ---

my husband went back to work the next day after having a c-section he thought helping with the 13.y.o was enough while i was in the hospital he went back the day after i got out of the hospital for 12 hours(work) left me alone i decided time to have tubes tied --dont get any help and having more kids to make his mother happy that lives out of state i think not ...my husband now travels and i see him 8 days a month--was a wise decision ---keepin busy in madison wisc M.

Hi just to let you know it is normal to have a stronger odor. i had i with my son and i now have it again with my second pregancy. if it really starts to get bad you should talk to your OB but i would also tell him/her at your next appt anyways.. hope this helps

You might have a very common infection. You need to address it with your doctor. If you aren't comfortable telling him then find a another doctor in your clinic to go to for this.

I don't really have any advice, but definitely think (as embarrassing as it might seem) to ask your Dr. about it. I know sometimes odor in that area can be related to vaginitis...it is very common in women. I would think if you have something like that it probably could cause complications in your pregnancy if it isn't treated (but I don't know this for sure...just my opinion) I know when I was pg I had a couple bladder infections and they always resulted in contractions. Also...even if you ask your Dr., and it turns out to be nothing...just think how much better you will feel with nothing to worry about!!! GOOD LUCK!

I am a Birth Doula and I will ask my group of Doulas and see if they have any ideas. I'll let you know.

This is what I found out....
L.,
If the odor is a "fishy" smell it is most likely Bacterial Vaginosis.
This is not a sexually transmitted infection and is really common
during pregnancy. It is basically caused by a disruption of the normal
vaginal flora (that can occur in non-pregnant women too), but is
common during pregnancy because of all the of hormonal changes and
hyperplasia/slouging of skin. Although it is relatively benign it is
very imporant that the woman be treated (usually 7 days of metro-gel)
as it is linked to preterm labor and fetal infections if left
untreated. The diagnosis is usually made very quickly and entails a
spec exam and vaginal swab for a wet mount to ID the bacterial cells.
She will have to get a prescription for the medication, so she will
need to see a doc or midwife.

Hope this helps!
Annemarie Schiereck, RN, Student Nurse Midwife

Hi J.,
You really need to ask your Dr. he would probably know excally whats going on. You may have a yeast infection or something that you need medicine for? Don't be embarrassed to ask, that's what your Dr. is there for, or call and talk to his nurse? Best wishes for a healthy pregnancy. C.

Hi J.,

I had this once and it turned out to be a bacterial infection. So you do want to go to the doctor if you find that nothing gets rid of it, such as washing or changing your eating. Sometimes some foods like asparagus can cause an odor. If you have discharge then it could possibly be a yeast infection but if not and it's just an oder then it can what I had. The doctor just gave me an external ointment and it was fine immediately. Don't be afraid to tell your doctor. Remember, they've seen worse. Good luck.

I still get it even though I am not prego. There is a over the counter my ob recommended called Rephesh. It keeps your ph in balance so you don't get that embarassing odor. During both of my pregnancies my doctor prescribed metrogell.

you should defiently talk with your doctor. It could mean an infection-which could mean premature labor or worse. I've read about odors "down there" and it usually means some sort of infection. It might not be anything-but you should find out-better safe than sorry. hope it helps

I had the same problem when I was pregnant with baby number four. Since I had been pregnant so many times, things were a little stretched out "down there." And I was leaking urine. The doctor said it may go away after I delivered. But suggested I work on kegel exercises. Kegels are the muscles you use when stopping urinating. Thankfully, the problem went away after Brennan was born.

hi J. , i am S. i also had that problem with our third child. it turned out that my body had changed since the previous two pregnancies we had and it wasnt taking to the prenatal pills. so you should see your dr. you probably have a inner yeast infection. nothing to worry about :-) but i would get it checked out since you are pregnant you shouldnt take anything over the counter unless your dr. tells you so

J.,

Swallow your pride and ask the doctor about it! The sooner the better! You may have a condition that needs some antibiotics to clear up that should not be ignored. Trust me, the doctor has probably seen it before and will know what to do about it right away. Taking care of the situation will also calm you down... the last thing you need right now is stress about bad odors. If you don't feel that you can talk about anything and everything with your doctor, you might want to consider changing doctors... if you have a male doctor, maybe consider seeing a woman. It's made a difference for some people I know.

Hi...

First of all I would like to say that if you are too embarresed to talk to your dr. then maby a female dr would be more comfortable to see. I went through my first two with a male dr..and then my third with a female dr. It was way better to have the female...you aren't afraid to have convo's such as this and you understand more because it is easier to ask questions. Just a thought! :)

Also if its an odor, discharge and nothing else with it..or if you have slight itching, it could be just a yeast infection or just a bactieral infection. I got them all the time when I was pregnant. They just give you a cream for it...but either way..You should REALLY be bringing this up with your dr.! It is best to say something to make sure whatever it is it gets taken care of!

Best of luck.....