Postpartum shivering at night: what to know

Shivering can occur as hormones, temperature control, fluid shifts, and the physical effort of birth change. It may be brief and settle after warming, rest, and fluids. Night-time episodes can also be more noticeable when the room is cool or you are exhausted.

Shivering with fever or a new local symptom can point to infection. Depending on symptoms and examination, clinicians may consider a urinary tract infection, kidney infection, influenza, pneumonia, or another infection. In regions where they occur, malaria and dengue fever are also relevant possibilities after travel or exposure. Chills alone cannot identify the cause.

Record when the shaking starts, how long it lasts, and whether you feel hot, feverish, or unwell. Check your temperature with a reliable thermometer if available. Rest, keep comfortably warm, drink fluids unless advised otherwise, and follow discharge instructions. Do not take antibiotics left from a previous illness.

Contact your maternity team or doctor if episodes recur, do not settle, or occur with burning urination, flank pain, cough, breast redness, worsening wound pain, or foul-smelling vaginal discharge. Mention recent travel, caesarean birth, or other procedures.

Seek urgent medical care for chills with a high fever, severe or worsening pain, rapid breathing, breathlessness, confusion, fainting, extreme weakness, a fast heartbeat, or very little urine. These can be warning signs of a serious infection, including sepsis. Do not wait for symptoms to become severe if you feel suddenly much worse.

Ask whether you need an examination, urine test, blood tests, or other checks; which fever or pain medicines are suitable with feeding; and what symptoms should prompt emergency care. Tell them about wounds, bleeding, discharge, urinary symptoms, cough, travel, and medication allergies.