Fever 2 weeks postpartum

After birth, fever may be linked with inflammation or infection in the womb, a caesarean or tear repair wound, the breasts, or the urinary tract. Heavy or foul-smelling vaginal discharge, increasing pelvic pain, breast redness, burning urine or wound drainage can provide useful clues. Viral illnesses such as a common cold can happen during this period too, but postpartum causes should not be dismissed because symptoms may worsen while caring for a newborn.

Check your temperature, note when it started and contact your maternity team, midwife, obstetrician or primary-care service promptly. Describe delivery type, wound changes, bleeding, discharge, breast symptoms, urinary symptoms and medicines. Drink fluids and rest when possible. Continue prescribed medicines unless a clinician advises otherwise, and ask before taking a new product if you are breastfeeding. Keep the baby with a trusted adult while you arrange care if you feel weak or dizzy.

Seek emergency help for severe breathlessness, chest pain, fainting, confusion, a seizure, heavy bleeding, severe abdominal pain, rapidly worsening illness or a severe headache with vision changes. Urgent assessment is also needed for a painful swollen leg, because blood clots can occur after birth. Do not drive yourself if dizzy, faint or confused. Tell clinicians that you recently gave birth, even if the delivery seemed uncomplicated.

Ask which examination or tests are needed; whether your wound, uterus, breasts or urine could be involved; which medicines are compatible with breastfeeding; and what changes require emergency help.