In the 6 weeks following the birth, the woman's bladder and kidneys need to cope with excreting excess fluids, while gradually returning to their 'pre-pregnant' state. The bladder is also recovering from having pressure on it during the birth and is susceptible to developing an infection. About 12% of women will develop an infection of the bladder (known as 'cystitis'). A few women will also have an infection of the kidneys (called 'pyelonephritis').
An infection of the bladder (and possibly the kidneys) may be more likely if the woman required a
catheter to empty her bladder during the labour, or had a catheter as a standard procedure, for a Caesarean operation. An infection is also more likely to develop if the woman had
difficulty passing urine after the birth.
The signs of a bladder infection can include:
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Pain or burning, when passing urine. |
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Needing to pass urine frequently, but usually only passing small amounts each time. |
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Possibly a slightly raised temperature (37.5 to 38o Celsius). |
If the infection has spread to the kidneys, the woman may notice:
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Pain in the middle of the back around the lower ribs, up the sides of the abdomen, possibly radiating down to the groin area. |
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A fever, (above 38o Celsius) and a rapid pulse (above 100 beats per minute). |
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Possibly sweating and having 'the shakes' (known as 'rigors'). |
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Nausea and vomiting. |
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The urine smelling offensive, and possibly being blood stained. |