Still not back to normal...
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Category: Have A Baby?
Forum Name: First baby? Second or more?
Forum Description: Want help? Need support? Want tips? Men and women share advice and tips in this supportive community
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=31467
Printed Date: 29 August 2025 at 5:15pm
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Topic: Still not back to normal...
Posted By: Aithne
Subject: Still not back to normal...
Date Posted: 07 February 2010 at 8:33pm
Ive finally had enough so thought i would get over my shyness and see if anyone else has been or is in the same boat as me  ...
Be warned its a TMI topic 
Ever since i gave birth nearly a year ago i have not gone back to normal down there. I have had this weird smell down there that is soo noticable that i can smell it within hours of having a shower, have been very itchy in one perticular spot and have had lots of UTIs and BV. Ive seen a couple DRs and had heaps of diff tests and they have no idea what it could be or what could be causing it. I have also pretty much been on ABs since giving birth for all these things... a couple months ago i found a lump under the skin so when i had my next DR appointment told her and she thinks it could be from a stuff up when i got stitched up after birth even though i have only noticed it recently and have kept a good eye on the area due to the other problems. Although out of all these problems the thing that is getting me down the most is the smell. I get sooo paranoid about it! I havent been "with" a guy since and am waaaaay to scared to be in a situation where something could happen. Anyway can someone pleeease tell me they have been through something similar and that at some point everything went back to normal?? 
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Replies:
Posted By: pikelets
Date Posted: 07 February 2010 at 8:59pm
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Oh goodness - you poor thing!
What is the DR doing about the supposed stuff up? ?? If it was me, I would try to see some sort of specialist or gynaecologist. It may be expensive (have you got insurance?) or if not just pay for it. This seems to be going on for far too long. Good luck hun  ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
 3 Angels - Dec10 / Mar11 / Dec11
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Posted By: Aithne
Date Posted: 07 February 2010 at 9:09pm
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Thanks for the reply...
I was seeing FP first then was transferred to a specialist who i last saw last month and she hasnt made any more appts to see me and basically said just go see my GP and get referred to a gynae as she doesnt know whats the matter. She was going to do a biopsy when i saw her to find out what the itch was being caused by but i told her i could have days of relief from the itch and that its the smell im more worried about and she didnt seem to care about that so didnt do a biopsy in the end. Unfortunately though i can barely afford to see my normal GP never mind a gynae . Anyone know how much a gynae would cost? Im scared to find out but may be something i will need to save up for as i cant handle this for too much longer.
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Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 07 February 2010 at 9:20pm
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When you say you saw a specialist, what kind was it?
One option (off the top of my head) would be to give your LMC a ring and have a chat to her. If this is preggy related (sounds like it is!), then she might be able to point you in the right direction of who to talk to. You should be able to see someone on the public list - you might need to wait a bit but it is free. You poor thing. I can only imagine how hard it is for you ------------- Mum to two wee boys |
Posted By: SquishysMum
Date Posted: 07 February 2010 at 9:24pm
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You can get a referral through the public system, although you would be waiting a while but it would be free. I think my appointment took about 4 months to come through (in AKL). Your GP visit should be cheaper as it's a follow-up, although that normally has to happen within a certain time (about 2 weeks).
All the best, it sounds miserable. |
Posted By: pikelets
Date Posted: 07 February 2010 at 9:28pm
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Good idea Flissty. LMC/midwives may be able to help.
I woudl imagine a gyno would be about $200 like most specialists. Is it something you could ask WINZ to help out with?? Otherwise a referral on the public system by your GP would be the way to go but hopefully you dont have to wait too long. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
3 Angels - Dec10 / Mar11 / Dec11
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Posted By: Aithne
Date Posted: 07 February 2010 at 9:29pm
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Im not too sure... i was seeing a nurse at FP for awhile who then referred me to a DR in FP so i suppose she wasnt a speciallist just a DR who worked in that area IYKWIM. The nurse said she was a speciallist but in my last appt with her she told me to go see a gynae so i assume she isnt one herself.
Oh that is a good idea... I might hunt out her number tomorrow... Thanks so much for the tips!! The other thing i seem to be suffering from is on-going baby brain haha i never would have thought to ring the MW |
Posted By: Aithne
Date Posted: 07 February 2010 at 9:31pm
| Oh just saw i had more replys. Thanks everyone. I will probably give the MW a ring and if that doesnt work out will go see the GP. It would be a great help if i was put on a list to get it free. I dont mind waiting too much longer if i get seen by the right people!! |
Posted By: ajmmum
Date Posted: 07 February 2010 at 9:38pm
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This might add to the TMI side, but what is the smell like? Really fishy? Have they checked you for Bacterial Vaginosis? That wouldnt explain the lump but could explain the other stuff? A google search will give you the wiki link and some others so you can check your symptoms next to it and ask the doc? ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  |
Posted By: Aithne
Date Posted: 07 February 2010 at 9:50pm
Yep every time i went to the FP i did a bacterial vaginosis test. I would be positive for it one visit, take the ABS then next visit (a couple weeks later) be clear of it but still have the smell. And TMI it does smell fishy but also like something has died and is rotting  .
I also did a UTI test and most of the time that would come back positive to so would take more ABs for it then next visit it would be cleared up. This has been going on since R was about 6weeks and i first saw FP about it. I have seen them atleast once a month since. Its just soo frustrating. I wish everything would clear up and not come back again within a few weeks 
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Posted By: mumzrule
Date Posted: 07 February 2010 at 10:12pm
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Are FP giving u the same AB each time?? Maybe whatever it is has become resistant to them??
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Posted By: kathamill
Date Posted: 08 February 2010 at 8:22am
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I was like this pre pregnancy, I had 10 UTI's in a year, also had a Bartholin Cyst. Turn out I had strep b too. I had to go to a gynae, it was only $80. but covered by my medical insurance. there are antibiotics that you can get that are non resistant forming, specifically for UTI's.
for me tho, it all went away when I gave birth to my daughter.... so not much help.... |
Posted By: Aithne
Date Posted: 08 February 2010 at 9:17am
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Nope was given a low dose to begin with then the second time was given it stronger and third time stronger again then forth time new drugs and so on. I have also been given steriod cream. All of which just isnt working. I cant remember the names of the drugs but one of them you take commonly for infections and your not allowed to drink on them.
Oh Kathamill, what ABs are those?? If you can remember the name of them that is haha |
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 08 February 2010 at 9:24am
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when you have seen drs and such have they mentioned the smell too - could they smell it - cause they may not be talking any notice of your requests for help if they dont think there is a smell. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
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Posted By: LouD
Date Posted: 08 February 2010 at 9:48am
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mum2r - ive had an awful smell down there when i was pregnant with my second and third. I sounded like you and that within an hour of having a shower it seemed to be back, so i would have regular washes throughout the day but nothing worked. I too was very selfconcious.
My second pregnancy i just had no choice but to put up with it, but this last one a friend suggested Poise liners and i thought Hey anything is worth a go and what would you know i never smelt for the rest of my pregnancy. And i actually felt like i enjoyed being pregnant etc. Obviously lucky for me this is only through pregnancy I have no idea what causes it, but im thinking that it could be hormonal and the discharge is the culprit and the poise absorbed the smell. If not anything, while your trying to get to the bottom of it all, why not buy some poise liners........i think they are the ones with one tear drops worth of absorbency, so they have a bigger thickness than actual panty liners. Let me know how you go. If it is hormonal im wondering if a change in contraception might help (or could it be already the culprit?) |
Posted By: kathamill
Date Posted: 08 February 2010 at 10:12am
| the AB's I was on are nitrofurantoin. They finally gave me these cos I'm allergic to 95% of AB's. |
Posted By: Aithne
Date Posted: 08 February 2010 at 12:24pm
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Bizzy the DRs told me to have a shower before my appts so i had one just before i left the house. Although i could start to smell it not long into the appt i dont think the DR was trying to smell anything. She was more concerned with taking heaps of swabs for the itchyness . She didnt actually seem to care about the smell at all. So didnt try to find out what it was about.
Chickilou i have started using panty liners and recently threw out all my old underwear and got brand new ones. I also try to stay very clean down there. But i dont use soaps or anything. Maybe i should get the poise ones though as i just have regular libra panty liners. Its funny i never had anything like this when i was pregnant. It all started just after giving birth. Im pretty sure it is all hormonal as I have had other stuff going on with me that points to hormones as the fault. But i wouldnt have a clue how to fix that. Im not on any contraception. I got pregnant on the pill so dont want to do that again and my memory is too bad for the mini-pill and i was told a IUD would be a bad idea until down there had settled back to normal. Oh i havent taken those Kathamill. Maybe when i see the DR i should ask about them. All the ones i have tried dont work or only work for a short time. What is a Bartholin cyst?? |
Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 08 February 2010 at 1:17pm
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Mum2R - I'm wondering if all the antibiotics you're taking is causing the smell. I know for me, a lot of ABs give me thrush cause AB's mess with ALL bacteria, including the good kind. So if the AB's are killing off all the bacteria, it probably means that all the natural bacteria for your girly bits are also getting killed off. This could be the cause of the smell and the itch. Are you drinking Cranberry juice or taking cranberry tablets to help kep the UTI's at bay? Also invest in some Vit C wtih Echanicea tablets (sold at supermarkets). I suffered badly with UTI's since I was a little girl. I'd have anything up to 10 a year, had all sorts of tests to try to fix it and nothing worked. I ended up using an alternative therapy called Colour therapy. I've never had a UTI since...not even a niggle. Just some "alternative" options for you.  ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: kathamill
Date Posted: 08 February 2010 at 2:28pm
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A bartholin cyst is when one of the ducts that create, um, the "lubrication for fun times" becomes blocked. It feels just like a lump, usually to the left or right of your vagina entrance, but down a bit (towards your anus). By the time I had that dealt with, all manner of people had seen my vajayjay. (including a bunch of student doctors, one of whom I later sat opposite at a wedding reception). hrm, sorry if that TMI. lol
ETA totally agree with the cranberry juice call, was fantastic. if only to make me pee heaps and water down the stinging. |
Posted By: KitKat
Date Posted: 08 February 2010 at 3:09pm
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Also take probiotics after taking a course of anti biotics to promote the good bacteria regrowth.
(no point in taking them at the same time as the anti kills off the pro) I hope you start getting some results soon... sounds to me like you need some solid answers from a gyno. No need to put up with something that can prob be fixed I say- even if you need to pay to get it fixed (which you shouldnt have to). Esp seeing as its since birth- it should be covered as postnatal care shouldnt it. I agree with the LMC contact. Let us know how things go.... good luck. ------------- 
http://www.littlegreenfruit.blogspot.com - Little Green Fruit |
Posted By: LouD
Date Posted: 08 February 2010 at 6:32pm
Can i post you some of mine....?? I have some and im not using them anymore so happy to send you a couple to see if they work so you dont waste more money if they dont work?? PM me your address and I will chuck a couple in an envelope |
Mum2R wrote:Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 08 February 2010 at 6:53pm
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Also half the time antibiotics etc don't work is because people don't finish all the tablets they are given in a course so when things flare up a second time the antibiotics don't work. The other thing is sometimes out bodies become immune like to the antibiotics etc so they don't work.
I think your best shot of find out what's wrong might be to go see a gynae, might be exp but I'm pretty sure WINZ can help you out with it? But looking on their website looks like it's only the community services card... But might pay to ring and see... Edited to change it as I misread it - sorry !! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: MrsH
Date Posted: 08 February 2010 at 7:10pm
I think she's talking about the panty liners not ABs. As soon as I read your post I was thinking thrush from all the ABs but it's already been mentioned and surely someone would have picked that up by now. Good luck, I hope something works for you soon. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: LouD
Date Posted: 08 February 2010 at 7:28pm
Thanks yeah i was, sorry i shouldve taken out the quote about the ABs |
Posted By: Shelt
Date Posted: 08 February 2010 at 10:38pm
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I'm not sure how helpful I am to be honest but I also have had a similar issue so I just wanted to let you know you aren't alone if you know what I mean. In my case the lump was caused by an episiotomy during the birth which had been stiched too tightly - it came apart and the skin folded over a bit and healed weirdly. For me the itchiness was caused by the skin being pulled too tightly all the time and the smell seemed to be related to stuff (secreations etc) getting caught under the fold/flap of skin. I asked to be referred to the hospital and had to wait 3 months but didn't end up having to pay. They cut the flap of skin off and re-cut me and stiched me up again and I havent had the itchiness since. The smell comes and goes a bit, usually round the same time each month so I am thinking it is related to hormones in some way. Its nowhere near as bad since I got re-stitched though. Its worth asking to be referred to a gyno on the public health list - you might have to wait ages but at least you won't have to pay if you can't afford to. Hope things get better for you soon. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Aithne
Date Posted: 09 February 2010 at 10:38am
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Thanks everyone for all the tips/info.
Mum2mac - i havent taken any ABs for about a month or more as i was worried about that but still have all the symptoms and was also having the symptoms before i started taking any ABs. Nope im not at the moment but im keen to try anything. Might invest in some tablets (the juice isnt my fave haha) and i think i have some ecinecha (sp?) somewhere... what is colour therepy?? Haha Kathamill. I have never had so many people look at my bits before. Basically about once sometimes twice a month. But anyways it doesnt really sound like a bartholin cyst. but will mention it to the DR anyway just incase! Oh good idea Kitkat about the pre-biotics. Im getting such goo advice here i wonder what i was even doing at the DRs before. By the sounds of it she wasnt helping me at all
Ooh yes please Chicklou, i will PM you my addy! Yea im thinking im becoming immune to all the drugs im being given Nicole. Yep MsrH i was also tested for thrush at every appointment but only ever came back postive for BV and/or UTI Shelt... that sounds just like what is happening to me. When the DR tried explaning about the stuff up with getting stitched up she mentioned something about folds of skin not growing properly so forming into the lump. That is soo great to hear you got things pretty sorted! Gives me hope  .
Im definately going to go see the MW and my GP and try to get put on the list to see a gynae. Thanks again everyone you have been soo helpful it means a lot!! |
Posted By: Aithne
Date Posted: 09 February 2010 at 10:42am
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Just tried PMing you Chickielou but your inbox is full. Will try again later
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Posted By: mummytobesep08
Date Posted: 09 February 2010 at 11:40am
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Hey mum2r, that really sucks what you're going through, must be soooo frustrating with the docs!
Something you said rang a bell with me- about one of the health professionals saying that it might be from your stitching not healing right? Why that rings a bell is I had similar symptoms for months and months after the birth of DD- the weird smell and itchy and I also had a bit of pain too. I self-treated for thrush a few times and had ABs incase it was an infection but I eventually went to a gyne (it was about $180 eek!) and she found that my stitches had healed wrong and that was what was causing all the issues. I had the option of getting it fixed privately but that would have cost HEAPS so went on the waiting list and it wasn't that long a wait...maybe 2 months max?...and had a wee surgery and it was all fixed. It was weird I thought, that something not healing right lead to smell and itchiness, I hadn't even thought that could be why it was happening, but needless to say I am so glad that's over!!!!!! The money thing IS really hard- we were real lucky that a family member lent us the dosh for it. I wonder if you can be referred to a gyne at the hospital or something? ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
Angel babes '07 & '10- <3 <3 |
Posted By: LouD
Date Posted: 09 February 2010 at 12:32pm
oh and heres me thinking that no one loves me and not sending me messages........lol will go and delete some now |
Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 09 February 2010 at 12:42pm
http://www.colourtherapy.co.nz/ - http://www.colourtherapy.co.nz/ Here's the link. Be open minded about it as the concept may seem weird but it's not supposed to be "magic" or "hebejebe" type stuff, it's based on actual scientific facts and it works. The only reason it's classed as "alternative" medicine is because western medicine refuses to acknowledge the science and success of it. Cause you know...since it works, doctors as we know them would be out of a job. Can't have that now can we...  ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: MrsH
Date Posted: 09 February 2010 at 1:02pm
I always wondered how you spell 'hebejebe'...... ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Aithne
Date Posted: 10 February 2010 at 9:54am
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mummytobe- Im convinced that must be what is going on now. Hopefully at my next DRs appointment they will agree and put me on a waiting list.
Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences with me... i dont feel soo alone now
Mum2Mac- That website looks quite cool!! But if i was looking at the right place (to buy your own machine) then unfortunately its waaay out of my price range for anything  .
Haha Chickielou. I have PM'd you now
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Posted By: Aithne
Date Posted: 10 February 2010 at 9:56am
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Oh i forgot to mention, I wont have the internet for about 10days as of today so will reply to anyone when i get it back
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Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 10 February 2010 at 10:55am
You don't have to buy a machine. They have a "clinic" you can go to. Contact them (they're in Cambridge) and they might be able to put you onto someone in your area. You can also hire machines. They'll ask you some questions on the phone and they send you the machine and the colours you need. It's not really very costly to hire it. Also, if you go to the clinic, the upfront cost might seem a lot (I think it's about $60 for a diagnosis) but in reality thats no worse than what most doctors charge. If you can afford to do it, it is worth the while. I have always been a believer in the "you pay for what you get" theory. It might cost a bit more, but it'll work ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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