Postpartum infection: symptoms, causes, and treatment

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Definition

What are postpartum (postpartum) infections?

Postpartum infection or postpartum infection is a variety of infections that occur after normal vaginal delivery, cesarean section, or while breastfeeding.

Postpartum infection, which is one of several complications of childbirth, can also be called a puerperal infection.

The pain that many women experience after childbirth makes postpartum infection difficult to distinguish from postpartum pain.

Some of the most common postpartum infections are:

• Endometritis, an infection of the endometrium (uterine lining)
• Mastitis, a breast infection
• Infected incision
• Urinary tract infection.

How common are postpartum infections?

Mothers with postpartum infections are usually allowed to go home within a few days of delivery.

Postpartum infections are more common in poor hygiene or poor quality medical services.

So, make sure the mother carefully considers before deciding whether to give birth in the hospital or give birth at home.

When later signs of childbirth appear, the mother can rush to a health facility accompanied by a partner or a doula if she has one.

Original labor contractions, rupture of the membranes, and the opening of the delivery are among the signs of labor that mothers should recognize.

Distinguish between labor contractions and false contractions that often confuse signs of labor.

Do not forget, also prepare various childbirth preparations along with delivery equipment before the D-day of birth arrives.

Signs & Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of a postpartum (postpartum) infection?

Many infections are detected with a fever around 38 degrees Celsius, chills or a feeling of unwell, and sometimes these are the only obvious symptoms.

Quoting from the March of Dimes, other signs and symptoms of postpartum infection can include:

• Lower abdominal pain, low fever, and foul-smelling vaginal discharge and lochia (signs of endometritis)
• Area that feels sore, hard, warm and red (usually on only one breast) and fever, chills, muscle aches, fatigue or headache (signs of mastitis)
• Redness, fluid, swelling, warmth or increased pain around the cut or wound area. This can occur in a cesarean section, episiotomy or laceration, or an incision that looks like it will separate.
• Difficulty and painful urination, feeling like urinating frequently and urgently. However, only a small amount of urine, no urine passed, or the urine is cloudy and bloody (signs of urinary tract infection).

When should I see a doctor?

Early diagnosis and treatment can stop this condition from worsening and prevent other medical emergencies.

So, talk to your doctor immediately to prevent this serious condition.

When you experience fainting spells, severe stomach pain, decreased consciousness, weak and fast heartbeat, and vomiting of blood, seek emergency medical care immediately.

If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult your doctor.

Everyone's body is different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.

Cause

What causes postpartum (postpartum) infection?

Postpartum infection is less common since the advent of antiseptics and penicillins.

However, some skin flora such as Streptococcus or Staphylococcus and other bacteria still cause postpartum infections.

These bacteria thrive in a humid and warm environment.

Postpartum infections often appear in the uterus after delivery. The uterus can become infected if the amniotic sac becomes infected.

Launching from King Edward Memorial Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology, there are various things that can cause postpartum or postpartum infections.

The following is a complete explanation based on the types of postpartum infection or the puerperium:

Endometritis

You are at risk of developing an endometrial infection if you go through a caesarean section.

The risk is even greater if you have worked before.

The risk is also higher if your labor takes a very long time or if there is a long period of time between your water breaking and giving birth.

Mastitis

Mastitis is inflammation of the breasts, which causes them to become swollen.

This can be caused by wounded or infected breast tissue.

It usually occurs in breastfeeding mothers in the first two months after giving birth.

At this time, mothers still need to adapt before finding the right breastfeeding pattern for their babies.

Usually mastitis develops on one breast. Initially, the breasts are just blisters, reddish in color, or feel warm.

Over time, the mother will feel fever, chills, not feeling well, and other symptoms such as flu.

Infected incision

If you go through a caesarean section, your incision can become infected.

Up to 16 percent of women who go through this surgery develop an infection usually within one week of delivery.

However, this condition can be treated by reducing the risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Urinary tract infection

You are more prone to developing urinary tract infections after giving birth, especially if you use a bladder or epidural catheter.

Risk Factors

What increases my risk for postpartum (postpartum) infections?

Based on the method used for delivery, the risk of developing an infection after delivery varies. The chances of having an infection are:

• 1-3% in vaginal deliveries
• 5-15% of cesarean sections that are scheduled and performed before labor begins
• 15-20% of unscheduled non-caesarean section deliveries that are performed after labor has started

There are various additional factors that increase a woman's risk of developing infection, including:

• Anemia
• Obesity
• Bacterial vaginosis, a sexually transmitted infection
• Multiple vaginal examinations during labor
• Monitor fetus internally
• Prolonged labor
• The gap between the rupture of the membranes and childbirth
• Colonization of the vaginal canal with group B streptococcus bacteria
• Having a remaining placenta in the uterus after delivery
• Excessive bleeding after childbirth (postpartum hemorrhage)

Complications

What complications can I have with postpartum infections?

Infections can be dangerous, especially if they go undetected or untreated.

An infection in your uterus can cause blood clots, while an infection in your kidneys can cause kidney problems.

An infection that gets into your bloodstream can cause sepsis.

The most likely complication is more difficult postpartum recovery.

Recovery will drain energy. For that, you need to get immediate help if you experience symptoms that lead to this condition.

Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How are postpartum infections diagnosed?

Through several physical examinations, a postpartum infection can be diagnosed by a doctor.

The doctor may take a urine or blood sample to test for bacteria or use cotton swab to take a culture from the uterus to detect postpartum infection.

What are the treatments for postpartum (postpartum) infections?

Since an untreated infection can become serious quickly, it is important to tell your doctor as soon as possible if you develop a fever or any of the other symptoms listed above.

You may have heard that breast engorgement can cause a low fever.

When this happens, do not assume that the swelling is the cause of postpartum fever. Contact the medical team immediately.

You will be given antibiotics to treat the infection.

Make sure the medical team knows if you are breastfeeding as this can affect the medications that are being given.

Oral antibiotics are usually sufficient, but in serious situations you may need injectable antibiotics and other possible treatments.

For example, if you have an infected wound, it may require open surgery and draining.

In addition, you may start to feel better within a few days of starting antibiotics.

However, it is important to finish the dose, even if the symptoms have disappeared.

Ask the doctor how long it will take the medication to start working, and make sure he or she knows if the medicine doesn't seem to work during that period.

You may need to change your medication, or something else might happen.

Don't forget to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, and get as much rest as possible to help your body fight infection.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be used to treat postpartum (postpartum) infections?

Here are some lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with postpartum infections:

• Take an antiseptic bath on the morning of the operation
• Shave your pubic hair with clippers as opposed to a razor
• Use chlorhexidine-alcohol to prepare the skin
• Use extended-spectrum antibiotics before surgery.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.