What Are Postnatal Infections – Causes?
Postnatal Infections – Causes by the delivery, vaginal or caesarean, and even during breastfeeding are called postpartum infections. This happens when bacteria infect the uterus and surrounding areas after a woman gives birth. Postpartum infections are also called puerperal infections.
How Common Are Postnatal Infections – Causes?
Today, about two per cent of women who undergo normal vaginal deliveries develop postpartum infections. This rate increases to about ten per cent in the case of complicated deliveries, and to fifty per cent in the case of caesarean delivery, if preventative antibiotics are not given.
Who Is at the Highest Risk of Getting Postpartum/ Postnatal Infections?
Women who have had caesarean deliveries, premature membrane ruptures, prolonged use of internal foetal monitoring, and those suffering from anaemia are prone to getting these infections.
Causes of Post-Delivery Infections
Here are some common causes of post-delivery infections, that a woman may experience:
- The small cut made at the vaginal opening in order to make it easier for the baby’s head to come out is called an episiotomy. If this wound gets infected, it can lead to a postpartum infection.
- When labour is prolonged, and repeated vaginal inspections take place in unsanitary conditions, postpartum infections may occur.
- If the placenta is not expelled and remains in the uterus for up to 30 minutes after the delivery, the placenta will have to be removed manually. This manual removal of the placenta can lead to postpartum infections.
- Infections of other pelvic organs like the ovaries can cause postpartum infections.
- Sometimes infections can occur from infected vaginal sanitary pads.
How are puerperal infections caused?
Postpartum infections are less common since the introduction of antiseptics and penicillin. However, skin flora such as Streptococcus or Staphylococcus and other bacteria still cause infections. These thrive in moist and warm environments.
Postpartum infections often start in the uterus after delivery. The uterus can become infected if the amniotic sac becomes infected. The amniotic sac the membranes that contain the fetus.
How is puerperal infection diagnosed?
Postpartum infections can be diagnosed by your doctor through a physical exam. Your doctor may take a urine or a blood sample to test for bacteria or use a cotton swab to take a culture of your uterus.
What are its symptoms?
- Soreness, tenderness, or swelling of the belly or abdomen.
- Chills.
- Pain while urinating or during sex.
- Abnormal vaginal discharge that has a bad smell or blood in it.
- A general feeling of discomfort or unwellness.
- Headache.
Read more in the next blog……