What should you know about fever and chills after a C-section?

Chills can happen when the body is responding to a rising temperature. After caesarean birth, fever with chills may occur with infection in the incision, womb, urine or breasts, although another infection or postpartum cause is also possible.

Tell the clinician whether the chills are shaking or intermittent, when they began, and whether you have wound redness, discharge, worsening pelvic pain, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, urinary burning, breast redness, cough or breathing difficulty.

Check your temperature, note the time and keep a record of other symptoms. Rest, drink fluids and follow your discharge instructions for incision care. Take only medicines that your maternity team has said are suitable for you, particularly if you are breastfeeding or have another medical condition.

Call the maternity or surgical team promptly and describe the fever, chills, wound appearance, bleeding and pain. Do not cover a worsening wound with unprescribed products or delay contact because the temperature briefly improves.

Get urgent help for trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, rapidly spreading redness, or a wound that opens. Fever with intense shaking chills, a fast heartbeat or marked weakness also warrants urgent assessment.

Ask whether you need an examination or tests, what wound changes should be reported, which medicines are compatible with feeding, and what service to contact overnight if symptoms return.