You might think that after delivering the baby, you will be absolutely fine. It is a possibility because sometimes you do not feel well after the delivery. Soon after your pregnancy ends, you might develop a fever. It can happen due to various reasons. But the most common reason for it is postpartum infection. And it can happen with vaginal and cesarean section delivery.

If you feel feverish after the delivery, you must consult with a health provider. To get an expert opinion, you can visit a gynecologist in Itefaq Hospital.

Here we will tell you the causes of postpartum fever.

What Causes Postpartum Fever?

There are various reasons for having a fever postpartum. If your body temperature remains high for a long time, it can be due to any infection. The reasons for it could be:

Infection After C-Section

After getting a planned or unplanned cesarean section, the incision site may get infected and cause fever. To prevent it, your healthcare providers will give you prophylaxis antibiotics and advise you to take good care of your wound. Make sure to follow their advice. Not taking good care of the incision, and not applying antibacterial and disinfectants can put you at risk of developing an infection of the incision site. You should not take it lightly as it can become life-threatening as it progresses and is left untreated.

The common symptoms of infection at the incision site include:

  • Redness, inflammation, and swelling
  • Pus or liquid coming out of the site
  • Severe stomach pain
  • Bleeding or opening of the incision site
  • Painful urination
  • Smelly vaginal discharge
  • Severe pain at the incision site
  • Fever often accompanied by chills

If you have any of these above-mentioned symptoms, you should consult a healthcare provider soon. Please do not take it lightly and prolong the condition.

Endometritis

Endometritis is the infection of the uterus- where your baby resides. Often it causes fever 2 to 3 days after delivery.

Endometritis can occur due to reasons like:

  • If you have had a C-section delivery
  • If you have had a long labor or delivery
  • If your placenta had to be removed by hand after delivery
  • If your baby had a bowel movement inside the womb during delivery
  • If the healthcare provider used forceps delivery (tongs to guide your baby’s head through the birth canal) or used other devices
  • If you have had prolonged rupture of membranes
  • If you have had preexisting vaginal infections
  • If you had gestational diabetes
  • If you have preterm or post-term birth
  • Infection from group B strep colonization

Along with fever, endometritis can also cause:

  • Chills
  • Smelly vaginal discharge
  • Pain and tenderness in the lower abdomen
  • Vaginal bleeding (it happens normally after delivering the baby).

A womb infection can also occur if a piece of placenta or tissue is left in the uterus and is not cleaned properly. For its treatment, your healthcare providers will prescribe antibiotics and maybe a D&C for cleaning the uterus. You should never take it lightly.

Mastitis

Mastitis is an infection of the breast tissue. It can happen if you breastfeed or do not. Inside your breasts, there are tiny ducts that carry milk. If they become clogged, it can lead to inflammation of the breast and causes fever.

The Bottom Line

Infections after delivery can occur due to various reasons. You should not take them lightly. If you have a fever, consult a healthcare provider as it can be due to some serious health condition. To get an expert opinion, visit a gynecologist at Fatima Memorial Hospital.

By Manali

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