What should you know about chills postpartum?

Shivering may occur as your body adjusts after labour, changes in hormones and body temperature, fluid shifts, or the effects of anaesthesia. It can also occur while milk supply is changing. The timing, severity and accompanying symptoms help distinguish a temporary response from illness.

Brief chills soon after delivery can settle with rest, dry clothing and a comfortable room temperature. Chills that return, become intense, or start later in recovery can accompany infection. Possible sources include the uterus, a caesarean or other wound, the breasts, or the urinary tract. A urinary tract infection may cause burning or frequent urination, while a kidney infection can cause pain in the side or back, fever and vomiting.

Influenza or pneumonia may cause chills with cough, body aches or breathing symptoms. A serious infection such as sepsis can involve rapidly worsening illness, confusion, extreme weakness, fast breathing or difficulty staying awake. These symptoms require urgent help; do not wait for a routine postnatal appointment.

Check your temperature if you can, note when the chills began, and record whether they come in waves or persist. Change out of damp clothes, use a light blanket for comfort, drink fluids if you are able, and rest. Keep taking prescribed medicines as directed, but do not start leftover antibiotics.

Contact your maternity team, obstetric clinician or primary-care service promptly if the chills continue or recur, especially with fever, worsening pelvic or abdominal pain, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, heavier bleeding, breast redness, wound drainage, painful urination, or increasing weakness. Tell them when you gave birth, whether you had a caesarean, and any medicines or anaesthetic used.

Seek emergency care now for trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, new confusion, severe weakness, blue or clammy skin, a seizure, or rapidly worsening symptoms. Get urgent medical advice for chills with a measured fever, severe headache, severe abdominal or pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, or inability to keep fluids down.

If you are unsure how serious the episode is, call your local emergency service or maternity unit and explain that you recently gave birth. Postpartum infections can worsen quickly, so feeling markedly unwell matters even when a temperature reading is unavailable or appears normal.

Ask: Could the chills be related to an infection, anaesthesia, breastfeeding changes or another cause? Do I need an examination, urine test or blood tests? Which symptoms should send me straight to emergency care? Is a medicine safe while breastfeeding, and how should I monitor my temperature and recovery at home?