The short explanation
A bad smell and yellow pus from episiotomy or tear stitches suggest the wound may be infected, and it should be examined the same day. Wound infections after delivery are common enough that doctors and nurses look for them, and they usually respond well to treatment when found early. Normal lochia has a mild, fleshy smell. A foul smell, pus, increasing pain, redness or the wound coming apart are different and need attention.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- Fever, chills, feeling generally unwell or belly pain alongside the smell can mean the infection is spreading, which is more urgent.
- Until you are seen, keep the area clean with plain water, change pads frequently and pat dry. Avoid applying home pastes, powders or oils to the wound.
- If you had a long labour, an assisted delivery, diabetes or anaemia, infection is a little more likely, so mention these.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This answer cannot tell whether there is an infection, how deep it is, or what treatment is needed. A clinician has to look at the wound.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- Is the wound infected, and has it opened?
- Does it need cleaning or re-stitching?
- Is the treatment suitable while breastfeeding?
- How should I care for the wound at home?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Emergency — call 112 now
- Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have a high fever with shivering, feel confused, very drowsy or breathless, or feel extremely unwell.
Get help the same day
- Get the stitches examined today at your hospital, PHC or a gynaecologist if there is pus, a foul smell or increasing pain.
Book an appointment soon
- Go back within a few days if it is not improving after treatment starts.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Discuss healing, comfort and any ongoing pain at your postnatal check.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Postpartum care MedlinePlus (NIH)
- Pelvic floor disorders MedlinePlus (NIH)
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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