What should you know about puerperal fever?

It can develop after a vaginal birth, caesarean birth, miscarriage, or pregnancy loss. A clinician can assess the timing of symptoms, examine you, and decide whether tests or treatment are needed.

The term is often used for infection in the period after delivery. Infection may involve the lining of the womb, a caesarean incision or tear, the urinary tract, or breast tissue. Germs can enter through the genital tract or a wound while the body is healing.

Fever may occur with lower abdominal or pelvic pain, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, heavier bleeding, chills, feeling weak, pain or redness around a wound, burning when passing urine, or a painful red area of breast. Symptoms can vary, and some infections become more serious without timely treatment.

Contact your maternity unit, obstetric clinician, or another urgent medical service on the day you develop a fever or feel unwell after childbirth. Tell them when you gave birth, how you gave birth, your temperature if you measured it, and any wound, discharge, urinary, breast, or abdominal symptoms.

Until you are assessed, rest, drink fluids if you can, and use clean pads. Do not put anything into the vagina unless a clinician has advised it. Take only medicines that are suitable for you, especially if you are breastfeeding or have allergies or other health conditions.

Seek emergency help immediately if you have trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, fainting, blue or grey lips, severe or rapidly worsening pain, severe weakness, or feel that something is seriously wrong. These symptoms can occur with a severe infection or another urgent postpartum problem.

Get urgent assessment as well for heavy vaginal bleeding, a swollen or very painful leg, repeated vomiting, or a wound that is opening, draining pus, or becoming increasingly red. Do not wait for a scheduled postnatal appointment when these warning signs are present.

Ask what source of infection is being considered, whether you need an examination or sample tests, and how quickly treatment should begin. If antibiotics are prescribed, ask how to take them, what side effects to watch for, and whether they are compatible with breastfeeding.

Also ask which changes should prompt another urgent call, how to care for any incision or tear, and when you can expect your symptoms to start improving.