You have done the biggest task of bringing a baby into this world safely.Congratulations for that.
Now that baby is here, your body is in recovery mode, and honestly… It’s a lot.
You might be dealing with so many new changes in your body from tiredness to sore boobs.
Most of these changes in your body are completely normal and they are a part of the
postpartum phase. But, some things do not really feel right and this is where problems can
occur.
One of those things? Postpartum infections. We do not really talk about them enough but they
can happen to anyone. In this blog, you will learn about the different types of postpartum
infections and when to call a doctor.
So, What Exactly Are Postpartum Infections?
After birth, your body is healing. Your uterus is shrinking back down, you’ve got bleeding (called
lochia), and if you had stitches or a C-section, those need to heal too. All these changes make
your body a little more open to infection.
A postpartum infection is just when bacteria sneaks in and causes trouble while you’re healing.
It usually shows up in the first couple of weeks but can happen later too. They are also known
as childbed fever or puerperal fever.
You’re more at risk if:
- You had a C-section
- Labor went on for a long time
- Some placenta or tissue stayed inside your uterus
- You had lots of vaginal checks during labor
- Your stitches aren’t healing as quickly
But, here is the good part, you can recover from these infections, if you can detect early signs involved with them.
Risk Factors for Postpartum Infections
Not every mom will face an infection, but some situations raise the chances. Here are the big ones:
- Prolonged Labor: when child birth takes a long time to progress
- C-sections: there is a highest risk of infections
- Premature rupture of membranes: when the water breaks down way before delivery time
- Heavy blood loss during delivery
- Diabetes, obesity or other problems which makes healing slower
- Retained placenta: If small pieces of placenta remain in the uterus.
The more strain your body goes through during the time of delivery, the more you need to be
careful afterwards.
Causes of Postpartum Infections:
Bacteria can enter the body and cause these infections if they get a chance.
The main bacteria involved in these infections include:
- E.coli also causes urinary tract infections
- Staphylococcus aureus which can cause skin and wound infections.
- Group B streptococcus bacteria
- Anaerobic bacteria
Most of these bacteria already live inside your body but after delivery your body has open areas
like stitches, wounds and weak immune system which give them a chance to attack
The Most Common One: Uterus Infection
The most common postpartum infection is something called endometritis—but don’t let the big
word scare you. It just means an infection in your uterus.
Imagine your uterus like a wound, if any bacteria gets inside it before healing. It might cause
swelling and infection inside the uterus.
How would you know if this is happening?
- You get a fever or chills
- Your lower belly feels sore or painful
- Your bleeding or discharge (lochia) has a really bad smell
- Bleeding feels heavier than it should be
- You are just constantly tired
If you are observing any of these signs, it is better to talk to your doctors. These signs usually
reduce with prescribed antibiotics and care.
How Do You Know If Your Uterus Is Infected?
When your body is healing after birth, some amount of cramping and bleeding is often normal.
But here’s when you should pay attention:
- The pain feels sharper or worse instead of calming down
- You have a very high fever (100.4 F)
- Your discharge smells… well, really bad
- You see large clots or your bleeding doesn’t slow down
- Cramps are unbearable even after taking medicines
Lochia which is also called Post-Birth Bleeding:
Now, about lochia, that’s just your body clearing out extra blood, mucus, and tissue after birth.
Everyone has it, and it usually lasts 4–6 weeks.
Here are a few normal things that everyone will face:
- For the first few days, bright red bleeding like periods.
- Next week or so: pink or brown discharge
- After that: yellowish or whitish, until it fades away
So, when should you worry about lochia infection?
Warning Signs:
- It has a really strong smell (like fishy or rotten)
- It suddenly turns greenish or super dark brown
- Bleeding turns bright red again after slowing down
- You pass big clots (think bigger than a golf ball)
- It comes with fever or pain in your belly
If your lochia looks or smells unusual, give your doctor a call.
Other Infections You Might Hear About
Besides a uterus infection, some moms also deal with:
Mastitis (Breast Infection)
This is usually caused by bacteria as they can enter through cracked nipples while
breastfeeding.
Signs: sore, red, hot breast, plus fever.
Wound Infection
Bacteria can infect the C-section and vaginal stitches and cause pus in the area.
Signs: redness, swelling, pus or pain that gets worse with time.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
It is very common among mothers especially if you have a catheter or you have low water
intake.
Signs: burning when you pee, going often, or cloudy urine.
Management: What happens when you get an infection?
Here’s the good news: most postpartum infections clear up with the right treatment.
- The main cure is antibiotics. Sometimes given in tablet form and sometimes in IV drips
- Pain killers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, help you feel better.
- Get some rest and drink some water. Your defense system works better when you’re not
so tired - If you have mastitis, keep nursing or pumping. This will help clear out the duct and get rid of the infection faster.
- If it’s an illness in a wound, the doctor may need to clean it up or change the bandages
often.
The key? Don’t wait. The earlier you start treatment, the quicker you’ll recover
How to Lower Your Risk
You can’t control everything, but these little habits help:
- To keep things clean, change the pads often.
- Before and after going to the bathroom or changing pads, wash your hands
- Do what your doctor tells you and keep your stitches dry and clean.
- Don’t skip checks after giving birth.
- Pay attention to how you feel most of all.
When to Call the Doctor
Call your doctor right away if you notice:
- A fever of more than 100.4°F (38°C)
- A lot of blood (a pad will soak up in an hour)
- Discharge that smells bad
- Bad pain that doesn’t get better with medicine
- Symptoms like the flu soon after giving birth
Trust me, your doctor would rather you call and it be nothing than wait until things get worse
Final Thoughts
The truth is your body goes through multiple changes after giving birth, most of them will be
normal but you have to be cautious of postpartum infections too.Most infections happen in the
uterus, but they can also happen in the breasts, on wounds, or in the urinary tract.
You need proper rest after giving birth, so don’t compromise on that. Give yourself time to heal
properly. Observe any signs that look unusual like severe pain or pus. Discuss with your doctor
if you have any issues and take medicines if needed.
The most common infection is usually endometritis, it is the inflammation of the inner lining of the uterus. It often happens in the two or three weeks following birth especially if the birth was
by C-section.
You may notice signs like stomach pain, heavy bleeding, foul smelling fluid or high fever if your
uterus is infected.
The colour might be green, or very dark in colour. It can be accompanied by a bad smell or big
clots or hurts if lochia is infected
Yes, most postpartum infections can be treated with medicines. It is important to identify the signs early to discuss them with your doctor
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