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Warning: You may not want your children to read some topics in this section. |
Uterus
Stitches to the genitals
Caesarean stitches
Bladder and/or kidneys
Developing an infection is the most common variation that can be experienced by women, in the first week or so after giving birth. The type of infection can vary, and will often relate to the type of birth that was experienced. The signs of an infection are often a high temperature (above 38
o Celsius) and a rapid pulse (above 100 beats per minute). However, other signs may be present, and will usually relate to where the infection is (for example, possibly heavier bleeding if the infection is in the uterus). In some cases, a temperature and rapid pulse may indicate an infection that is totally unrelated to having the baby (for example if the woman is coming down with the flu).
It takes at least 24 to 48 hours for an infection to develop, to the point that the woman is showing physical symptoms. Typically, infections relating specifically to the birth will develop about 2 to 3 days after the birth. Therefore, if an infection develops a week or more after the birth, this was most likely due to contact with bacteria in the days in the hospital, or after going home.
How severe an infection becomes (and what treatments are recommended) will generally depend on the type of bacteria that is causing the infection, and the resistance (or immunity) of the person at the time. The bacteria may: