Women having a Caesarean birth have around a 5 to 20 times greater chance of developing an infection after the birth, when compared to women who have a vaginal birth. Women who have a Caesarean performed during labour (unplanned), or after their waters have been broken for a long period of time (over 24 hours) are at an increased risk of developing an infection, compared to women who have a booked Caesarean operation (planned) before labour starts. This could also be related to the internal vaginal examinations done by caregivers during labour.
The most common infection that can occur is an infection of the lining of the uterus, called 'endometritis'. This tends to happen for about 9% of women with planned Caesareans, and up to 27% of women if the Caesarean was unplanned. It is now recognised that the routine use of giving a few doses of antibiotics through the drip in the woman's vein (after the baby is born) can decrease the chances of developing an infection of the uterus by 50 to 75%, as well as reducing other infections that can occur as a result of the operation.
Other infections can include an infection of the stitches (about 7%). Women who are overweight for their height are at an increased risk of developing a wound infection. Or an infection of the bladder from having a catheter inserted. On rare occasions an abscess can form inside the woman's abdomen that needs to be drained to treat it. You can read more in
infections after the birth.
Occasionally the epidural or spinal anaesthetic site where the needle or tube was inserted can get infected or the site on the woman's arm where the drip was put into the vein.
If an infection does develop the woman will often be prescribed antibiotics through a drip in the vein and / or tablets, after the drip has been removed. It can also mean a longer stay in the hospital (10 to 12 days rather than 5 to 7 days). Sometimes an infection will not become noticeable until you are home.