There are several types of infection that you can pick up during and after delivery. These include endometritis, infections of wounds or tears, urinary tract infections, and mastitis.
 
Women who have had c-sections are at higher risk of endometritis, followed by those who had an assisted labour, and finally those who had a normal birth. However, like all the other infections that you can pick up during and after labour, everyone is at risk, so it is best to assume that you are equally likely to get an infection as anyone else. When it comes to mastitis, it actually only sets in after labour, when you start breastfeeding, and it is most common in women who suffer from cracked nipples.
 
Generally, the signs of post delivery infection are the same as at other times – malaise, fever, and chills are common symptoms. However, there are also specific symptoms of the most common infections women get after childbirth. A hard, red, swollen area, usually on one breast, accompanied by fever, chills, headache, and body aches is usually a sign that you have mastitis. Pain in the lower abdomen, a bad smelling lochia, fever headache, and chills usually indicate endometritis.
 
If you have difficulty urinating, cloudy or bloody urine, or a feeling that you need to urinate often are usually signs of a urinary tract infection. Redness, swelling, pain, and warmth around a wound (whether it is a c-section wound or another type) as well as a wound that looks as if it is opening up are usually a sign that your wound is infected.
 
If you suspect you have an infection, however, do not try to diagnose yourself. Speak to your doctor. He or she may prescribe a course of antibiotics, or if the infection is very bad, you may need to be admitted and have antibiotics intravenously.
 
Aside from medication, that your doctor prescribes, you will also need to take it easy for a few days, rest and make sure that you get plenty of fluids, especially if you are feverish. Your symptoms should clear up within a few days, but if they do not, make sure that you go back to your doctor, and report the problem. You may need something stronger than the antibiotics you have been prescribed.

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