What should you know about fever postpartum?

After birth, infection can affect the uterus, urinary tract, breasts, or a caesarean or tear repair wound. Breast inflammation may begin with a hot, painful area and flu-like symptoms. Uterine infection may cause lower abdominal pain, feeling shivery, or vaginal discharge with an unpleasant smell. Burning when passing urine, back pain, or worsening wound redness and drainage can point to other sources.

A fever can also occur with a respiratory illness such as COVID-19 or acute bronchitis, but postpartum symptoms should not be dismissed as a routine cold. The timing after delivery, your birth history, examination findings, and any test results help a clinician identify the cause.

Check your temperature if you can and write down when the fever began, how it changes, and any medicine you have taken. Drink fluids, rest when possible, and continue feeding or expressing milk unless a clinician tells you otherwise. Keep the wound clean and dry, and wash your hands before touching it or your breasts.

Call your maternity unit, obstetrician, midwife, or primary-care service promptly. Tell them when you gave birth, whether the delivery was vaginal or caesarean, and whether you have abdominal pain, breast pain, urinary symptoms, discharge, wound changes, cough, or shortness of breath. Do not start leftover antibiotics; the correct treatment depends on the source.

Seek urgent medical help if you feel faint or confused, have difficulty breathing, severe or worsening abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, a rapidly spreading red or painful wound, or shaking chills. Emergency care is also appropriate if you cannot keep fluids down or feel suddenly much more unwell.

Even without these warning signs, a new fever after childbirth should be discussed promptly because infections can worsen quickly. If you cannot reach your maternity team, use an urgent-care service or emergency department. Take your discharge medicines and maternity records if they are readily available.

Ask: What is the likely source of the fever? Do I need an examination, urine test, blood test, or breast and wound check? Which medicines are compatible with breastfeeding? What changes should prompt emergency care, and when should I expect an improvement after treatment?