Does Caesarean Wound Infection Cause Fever After Birth?

An infected caesarean incision may become more painful, red, warm, swollen, or tender. Fluid, pus, an unpleasant smell, or a wound that starts to open can also occur. Fever or chills may accompany these local signs because the immune system is responding to infection.

Fever after birth has other possible causes, including infections elsewhere in the body, so the temperature alone cannot identify the source. The timing of the fever, the appearance of the incision, pain level, and other symptoms help a clinician assess what is happening.

Contact your maternity team, obstetrician, or another healthcare professional promptly if you have fever after a caesarean birth, particularly if the incision is becoming more painful or looks different. Keep the wound clean and dry according to the discharge instructions, wash your hands before touching it, and do not squeeze the incision or apply creams unless advised.

Tell the clinician when the fever began, whether it is continuing, and whether you have chills, increasing pain, discharge, urinary symptoms, breast pain, or unusual vaginal discharge. Follow prescribed treatment exactly; an evaluation may include examining the wound and checking for another source of infection.

Seek urgent medical care if you feel faint or confused, have trouble breathing, severe or rapidly worsening pain, heavy bleeding, shaking chills, or feel suddenly very unwell. Prompt assessment is also needed for spreading redness, pus, a bad-smelling wound, or an incision that is opening.

Do not wait for the wound to look dramatically different before getting help. Postpartum infections can worsen without early treatment, and a clinician can decide whether you need examination, wound care, tests, or medicine.

You could ask: Could the incision explain my fever? What wound changes should I monitor? Do I need an examination or treatment today? How should I clean and cover the incision? Which symptoms mean I should return urgently?