Giving birth is an amazing experience for many women.

After your baby is born, it’s normal to focus all your

attention and efforts on your little one. But it’s just as important to remember to take care of yourself. Giving birth
isn't easy, and your body needs plenty of time to recover.

A puerperal infection or a postpartum infection occurs when bacteria infect the uterus and surrounding areas
after a woman gives birth. It can comprise a wide range of entities that can occur after vaginal and cesarean
delivery or during breastfeeding

Unsanitary conditions can cause infections. Postpartum infections occur more often in places with unhygienic
practices or poor quality healthcare. A lack of awareness amongst healthcare providers or an insufficient
sanitation system can lead to higher rates of infection.

Postpartum endometritis is an infection that some women develop after giving birth. Bacteria that normally live
in the healthy vagina can cause an infection after delivery . The infection occurs in the lining of the uterus (the
endometrium) or the upper genital tract.

Symptoms of postpartum infection commonly include pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis, fever, paleness,
chills, a general feeling of illness or discomfort, and often headache and loss of appetite. When the tissues
around the uterus are infected, they swell, causing significant discomfort. Women typically have severe pain
and a high fever.

When the tissues around the uterus are infected, they swell, causing significant discomfort. Women typically
have severe pain and a high fever. There are usually no lasting effects if postpartum endometritis is caught and
treated quickly.

If the infection is left untreated for too long, it could turn into sepsis, an infection that spreads to your
bloodstream and can be life threatening. In sepsis and septic shock, blood pressure falls dramatically and the
heart rate is very rapid. Severe kidney damage and even death may result.

These complications are rare, especially when postpartum fever is diagnosed and treated promptly. Postpartum
patients are frequently discharged within a couple days following delivery. The short period of observation may
not afford enough time to exclude evidence of infection prior to discharge from the hospital. If you do contract
an infection, it is likely that with early medical attention you can be cured.