Fever After C-Section: What You Should Know

A raised temperature in the days after surgery may be related to an infection in the womb, urinary tract, breast, or the incision. Other clues can include increasing lower-abdominal tenderness, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, burning when you pass urine, breast redness, or a wound that becomes more painful, swollen, warm, or leaky. Fever can also occur with a blood clot or other postpartum illness, particularly when breathing or chest symptoms appear.

The timing, temperature, examination findings, and associated symptoms help a clinician decide whether you need tests or treatment. A caesarean birth is abdominal surgery, so new or worsening symptoms deserve attention even if the incision looks acceptable.

Check your temperature with a thermometer and note when the fever began, how it changes, and any medicine you have taken. Call the maternity unit, obstetrician, or doctor who is providing your postpartum care. Describe your incision, bleeding or discharge, urination, breast symptoms, abdominal pain, and general condition.

Until you receive advice, rest, drink fluids if you can, keep the incision clean and dry, and take only medicines that your clinician has said are suitable for you. Do not squeeze the wound or start leftover antibiotics. If you were given discharge instructions, keep them nearby while you make the call. Guidance about recovery and movement is also available in [Postnatal Physiotherapy](/treatments/pelvic-floor-and-rehabilitation/postnatal-physiotherapy/).

Seek urgent medical help if you have trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, confusion, a seizure, severe or rapidly worsening abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, or you feel suddenly very ill. Get prompt assessment for a wound that opens or releases pus, severe headache or vision changes, or one-sided leg pain and swelling.

Do not wait for a routine follow-up when fever is persistent, returns after settling, or is paired with shivering, worsening pain, bad-smelling discharge, painful urination, or breast redness. If you cannot reach your maternity team and symptoms are severe, use local emergency services. [Pre-eclampsia](/conditions/pre-eclampsia/) can also occur after birth; headache, visual disturbance, or upper-abdominal pain needs immediate assessment.

Ask what may be causing the fever, whether your wound or urine needs checking, and which symptoms should trigger emergency help. You can also ask which pain or fever medicines are compatible with breastfeeding, how to care for the incision, and when you should be reviewed again.