Change in scent - a prelude to labour?? **Possible TMI**

**Yeddi** · August 23rd, 2010, 02:35 PM

Has anyone noticed a change in their scent prior to going into labour? Seeing as labor is set off by a hormonal chemical response in the body, I figure the build up of certain hormones might seep through the pores. The reason why I ask is I've noticed a change in my own scent in the last two days (currently 38 weeks) and I'm curious (and I'm procrastinating from doing other things). It's really hard to explain how it smells... it's kind of sweet and sour at the same time. I don't have a particular comparison I could make.

Anyone who has seen my posts elsewhere is going to think I'm obsessed with smells....

**onthefly** · August 23rd, 2010, 02:38 PM

Yes. I think you must be. Or very desperate to procrastinate. It's an interesting idea though. I can't answer as I didn't go into spontaneous labour.
I will pay close attention and get back to you in 4 months or so.

**Traveller** · August 23rd, 2010, 02:38 PM

I have not noticed a change myself, but then it was not something I looked (or smelt) for at the time. However I do recall a conversation between some midwife friends where they talked about the smell changing in a labour room at the onset of 2nd stage, and using this as a diagnostic tool. I'll try to find a reference for this, but it would certainly suggest a link between scent and labour.

**onthefly** · August 23rd, 2010, 02:40 PM

Wow. That's really interesting. I was just sitting here thinking that all I could remember smelling was that weird hospitally smell.

**Traveller** · August 23rd, 2010, 02:41 PM

I think it was homebirth midwives who noticed the smell more, in a hospital it would be masked by antiseptic.

**onthefly** · August 23rd, 2010, 02:42 PM

I have an appointment tomorrow. I'll ask her if I remember.

**Yeddi** · August 23rd, 2010, 02:49 PM

However I do recall a conversation between some midwife friends where they talked about the smell changing in a labour room at the onset of 2nd stage, and using this as a diagnostic tool. I'll try to find a reference for this, but it would certainly suggest a link between scent and labour.

LOL... I know that smell. I would say it's like a combination of sex and wet grass.

I could just have a very sensitive nose, because I could always tell when my daughter was going to have a fit because I could smell a metalic scent on her breath and could tell my nephew was diabetic before he was diagnosed. I can't wear perfumes or shop-bought deodorants because they make me sick - that's why I know it's my scent and not something I've put on myself.

**Traveller** · August 23rd, 2010, 02:53 PM

I've found the conversation, and an article about the scent of 2nd stage (most midwives describing it as smelling like sex) but I cannot post the links here as they are to sites with forums.

I would imagine if you have a sensitive nose, that you are indeed smelling something that is indicating hormone changes. However I wouldn't go so far as to say this will likely mean labour soon, as we all know pre-labour (and hence the accompanying smells) can last for several weeks.