Itching 6 days after delivery...what's the cause?

[Cczar]

I have developed some itching vaginally that has carried over into today. I am 6 days postpardum and I had a vaginal birth with a few stitches. I know that with my first baby I had itching for a few days due to healing. However, I am also concerned that it might be a yeast infection since I have shown some signs of having thrush on my nipples as well. Anyway, can someone help me determine if this is thrush or just itching from my healing...I would really appreciate it!!! Thanks!

[MsBlack]

It could be yeast--I also got a yeast infection in the first week pp after my first birth, and that baby also got thrush (thankfully, never recurring for my other births/babies). It can occur more easily because of the lochia flow, wearing pads, just having all that moisture trapped by your yoni. Are you keeping yourself really clean? That would be a place to start--using a peribottle to rinse well after toilet, pat dry. Also, you can leave off a pad at night, and during naps--just sleep on a chux pad to allow better air flow. Wash off when you get up. And--are you by chance using Always pads? They are known to cause many women irritation after birth--if you're using them, then switch brands--or just use cloth (cloth diapers, even, folded and laid into your underwear).

You may have to do more than the above to cure this--but these things will help, whatever else you decide to do.

[mamatolevi]

I had problems with the always pads last time, but then they came out with the always infinity line. It's not as plastic-y and doesn't bother me as much as the regular always pads. Though at 6d pp, I was still using the poise pads. Going bare, or at least with cloth, at night if you can will help.

Get some probiotics in you; can't hurt, might help. And if it is just a healing itch at least the probiotics will help with the thrush.

congrats on your new LO!

[Cczar]

Thanks ladies for the tips! I have been rinsing myself after every trip to the bathroom. I was using Always pad, but since you both stated the irriation, I stopped immediately and have placed cloth diapers in my panties instead. I didn't go without any thing at night, but hope the cloth diapers can help if needed. I am hoping it is just a healing itch that goes away soon. I just don't think it would be a good idea to treat this with an over the counter medication (like yeast infection creams) due to the sensitivity right after birth. Have you or anyone else ever used them right after birth - I might be calling my OB on it soon if the itching doesn't go away.

[MsBlack]

Originally Posted by Cczar

I just don't think it would be a good idea to treat this with an over the counter medication (like yeast infection creams) due to the sensitivity right after birth. Have you or anyone else ever used them right after birth - I might be calling my OB on it soon if the itching doesn't go away.

I tend to agree. I used *plain* yogurt inserted, with good effect in a couple of days. I think it is best to use a kind of yogurt with NO sugar (some 'plain' yogurt does have some sugar), and one that does not have a lot of additives such as carageenan and such. Just milk and lactobacilli--maybe milk solids, but none of the other additives.

[sweeetpea]

I had an awful yeast infection after DS2 was born - I was up and trying to do too much, and always wearing a pad, instead of letting myself relax and air out.

I used Monistat (3 day) which worked fine, cleared me up and I never got thrush (the ONLY one of my kids to not get it ever ), and never experienced negative side effects. Both midwives I checked with recommended that protocol, along with taking oral probiotics, so I went ahead with it.

[MsBlack]

Thanks for that tip, sweetpea

[mamatolevi]

there's a baby was I use when I'm 'uncomfortable' but have not used it immediately PP. It's the california baby tea tree and lavendar wash. It's very concentrated so just a drop or two in a sitz bath, or bath tub with little water in it, would help. I use it on the kids when they're yeasty or have any rash symptoms and it really seems to help clear things up quickly.

Might be a good preventative once you get this cleared up.