What should you know about childbed fever?

After delivery, infection may affect the uterus, the area around a caesarean or tear, the bladder, or the breasts. Fever can occur with shivering, feeling weak, lower abdominal pain, unpleasant-smelling vaginal discharge, pain when passing urine, or a wound that is red, swollen, or leaking. A fever is not a normal recovery symptom to ignore, even when other changes seem mild. A clinician may examine you, check your observations, and arrange tests to identify the source.

Contact your maternity team, obstetrician, or an urgent medical service as soon as you notice a fever after birth. Keep drinking fluids if you can, rest, and record when the fever began and any associated symptoms. Do not start leftover antibiotics or stop prescribed treatment without advice. Tell the clinician whether you had a caesarean, stitches, retained placenta concerns, breast pain, or urinary symptoms, because these details help guide assessment.

Seek emergency help for confusion, fainting, severe breathlessness, chest pain, a rapidly worsening illness, heavy bleeding, severe abdominal pain, or difficulty staying awake. Urgent assessment is also needed if shaking chills continue, the wound opens or drains pus, or you cannot keep fluids down. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint or confused; ask someone to stay with you while help is arranged.

What source of infection are you checking for? Which examinations or tests may I need? What treatment should I take and for how long? Which changes should bring me back urgently? Is it safe to breastfeed while receiving treatment?