Why does a caesarean wound infection cause fever after birth?

After a caesarean birth, bacteria can enter the incision and multiply in the skin or deeper tissue. The immune response can cause fever, chills, increasing pain, redness, warmth, swelling, or discharge. The wound may open slightly or develop an unpleasant smell. Fever after birth can also come from an infection elsewhere, so the cause needs clinical assessment.

A small amount of soreness can be part of healing, but worsening pain or a wound that becomes more inflamed deserves attention. Feeling weak or unwell adds to the concern.

Contact your maternity team or clinician promptly if you have fever or new wound changes. They may inspect the incision, check your temperature and other symptoms, and decide whether testing or treatment is needed. Keep the wound clean and dry as instructed, wash your hands before touching it, and do not apply creams or open the incision unless advised.

Tell the clinician when the fever began, how it was measured, and whether pain, drainage, breast symptoms, urinary symptoms, or pelvic discomfort are present.

Seek urgent help for severe or rapidly worsening pain, spreading redness, heavy drainage, confusion, faintness, breathing difficulty, shaking chills, or feeling seriously unwell. Do not wait for the wound to look dramatically different if your overall condition is worsening.

Ask whether the incision shows infection, whether another postpartum infection could explain the fever, how to care for the wound, and which changes require immediate review.