Postpartum endometritis is a rare bacterial infection in the uterine lining that can occur after delivery. Symptoms include fever, rapid heart rate, and pain in the uterus. It can be prevented by using antibiotics before a C-section and treated with antibiotics shortly after symptoms begin. Risk factors include a cesarean section, excessive vaginal examinations, and a lack of medical care during and after pregnancy. Diagnosis requires lab tests and treatment usually involves a course of single antibiotics given intravenously.
Postpartum endometritis is a bacterial infection in the uterine lining that can occur after delivery. Symptoms typically include fever, rapid heart rate, and pain in the uterus. Treatment usually consists of antibiotics, although they should be given shortly after symptoms begin because this condition can be fatal if left untreated. Postpartum endometritis is quite rare and can be prevented by using antibiotics before a C-section. Antibiotics are also used during treatment because this type of drug can usually clear an infection within a few days.
This condition is caused by various types of bacteria, most commonly E. coli and group B streptococci, which travel from the mucous lining of the vagina to the upper genital tract. In extreme cases, the bacteria infect the bloodstream, causing bacteremia. Blood clots and septic shock, which can be fatal, are other possible complications of postpartum endometritis. To prevent this outcome, the condition should be treated as soon as the common symptoms occur, so women who notice fever, rapid heartbeat, and uterine pain within three days of giving birth should see their doctor right away. Other symptoms include pain in the lower abdomen, a foul-smelling vaginal discharge, and a general feeling of being unwell.
The risk of developing this condition increases with a cesarean section, especially if the surgery was ordered after a long labor during which the membranes ruptured. Other risk factors for postpartum endometritis include excessive examinations of the vagina, although a complete lack of medical care during and after pregnancy can also increase the chances of this condition. Therefore, low-income women who cannot afford medical care tend to be at risk for an infection of the uterine lining. Also, having a genital tract infection even before giving birth, often due to gonorrhea or bacterial vaginosis, can also increase the chances of this condition after giving birth. Young women are more likely than older women to get such an infection in the uterine lining.
Diagnosing postpartum endometritis usually requires lab tests that look for an infection. These tests typically measure the number of white blood cells and also examine the urine for signs of infection. Radiographs of the pelvis may also be ordered before diagnosing a woman with postpartum endometritis. Treatment is usually a course of single antibiotics given intravenously, although more severe cases often require a combination of antibiotics to fight the infection. Treatment usually takes two to three days, during which time most patients must stay in the hospital to receive intravenous medications.
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