Experiencing Postpartum Sweating and Odor Is Common and Normal
Heyy there, pal! You just brought a new life into this world, congrats! But let's not sugarcoat it - your body's about to go through a wild ride too. And, yeah, that includes some unsavory changes likepostpartum sweating and body odor.
Nurse midwife Claire Hamp, CNM is here to tell it like it is: "After pregnancy and childbirth, everything gets amped up. From your body feeling sweatier and smellier, to feeling hungrier or more nauseous, and being more exhausted - it's a lot."
Here's what you might notice after giving birth:
- Vaginal discharge, regardless of delivery method
- Soreness, abrasions or tearing of your vulva or perineum
- Breast discomfort and swelling
- Weight fluctuations
- Difficulty going to the bathroom
- Changing hair, skin and nail texture - hair loss is also common
- Urinary incontinence
- Rapidly shifting moods
Sweating and body odor tend to be more intense after giving birth due to hormonal shifts, breastfeeding, lochia and hygiene concerns. Hamp adds, "It's common to feel sweaty and stinky even before giving birth, but it's usually more intense afterward."
So, let's talk hygiene: A peri bottle, warm water, soap where needed, changing clothes frequently, and keeping breasts and nipples clean and dry can help manage sweat and odor. Remember, it's safe to use antiperspirants and deodorants, but avoid harsh fragrances. And don't be afraid to ask your Ob/Gyn or midwife any questions, no matter how trivial they seem.
Besides all that, try to give yourself a break. Postpartum life isn't always easy, but remember your baby doesn't care about your body odor - to them, you're home. So, embrace this weird, beautiful, sometimes stinky journey to motherhood!
- Claire Hamp, a nurse midwife, explains that after childbirth, women may encounter increased sweat and body odor due to hormonal shifts, breastfeeding, lochia, and hygiene concerns.
- In the postpartum period, it's common for women to experience changes in their bodies such as vaginal discharge, breast discomfort, weight fluctuations, difficulty going to the bathroom, changing hair, skin, and nail texture, urinary incontinence, and rapidly shifting moods.
- To manage sweat and body odor during the postpartum period, it's recommended to use a peri bottle, warm water, soap where needed, change clothes frequently, and keep breasts and nipples clean and dry. It's also safe to use antiperspirants and deodorants, but avoid harsh fragrances.
