Introduction
Postpartum sepsis is a severe bodily reaction to an infection that occurs within 6 weeks after giving birth (postpartum). The condition is also called puerperal sepsis. Pregnancy causes changes in your body’s disease-fighting system (immune system) that increase your risk for infection and sepsis.
Postpartum sepsis is a medical emergency that needs to be treated right away. It can cause inflammation, leaking blood vessels, and decreased blood flow to important organs, including your lungs, liver, and kidneys. If sepsis is not diagnosed and treated quickly, it can lead to septic shock. Shock can result in dangerously low blood pressure and organ failure.
What are the causes?
This condition is caused by a severe reaction by the immune system to an infection. A type of bacteria called group A streptococcus is the most common cause of infection that leads to postpartum sepsis. Other types of bacteria can also lead to postpartum sepsis. …show more content…
Common examples include:
Wound infection from a cesarean delivery or from a surgical cut at the opening of the vagina (episiotomy).
Uterus infection (endometritis).
Genital tract infection of the vagina or cervix.
Breast infection (mastitis).
Urinary tract infection.
Pneumonia.
Blood vessel infection (phlebitis).
Skin infection (cellulitis).
What increases the risk?
You are more likely to develop this condition if you have any of these pregnancy-related risk factors:
Cesarean delivery.
Episiotomy.
Long or difficult labor.
Internal fetal monitoring.
Rupture of membranes many hours before giving birth.
You may also be at higher risk if you have any of these conditions during or after giving birth:
Congestive heart failure.
Long-term liver disease.
Long-term kidney
Postpartum sepsis is a severe bodily reaction to an infection that occurs within 6 weeks after giving birth (postpartum). The condition is also called puerperal sepsis. Pregnancy causes changes in your body’s disease-fighting system (immune system) that increase your risk for infection and sepsis.
Postpartum sepsis is a medical emergency that needs to be treated right away. It can cause inflammation, leaking blood vessels, and decreased blood flow to important organs, including your lungs, liver, and kidneys. If sepsis is not diagnosed and treated quickly, it can lead to septic shock. Shock can result in dangerously low blood pressure and organ failure.
What are the causes?
This condition is caused by a severe reaction by the immune system to an infection. A type of bacteria called group A streptococcus is the most common cause of infection that leads to postpartum sepsis. Other types of bacteria can also lead to postpartum sepsis. …show more content…
Common examples include:
Wound infection from a cesarean delivery or from a surgical cut at the opening of the vagina (episiotomy).
Uterus infection (endometritis).
Genital tract infection of the vagina or cervix.
Breast infection (mastitis).
Urinary tract infection.
Pneumonia.
Blood vessel infection (phlebitis).
Skin infection (cellulitis).
What increases the risk?
You are more likely to develop this condition if you have any of these pregnancy-related risk factors:
Cesarean delivery.
Episiotomy.
Long or difficult labor.
Internal fetal monitoring.
Rupture of membranes many hours before giving birth.
You may also be at higher risk if you have any of these conditions during or after giving birth:
Congestive heart failure.
Long-term liver disease.
Long-term kidney