How to treat postpartum infections
Release time : 04/24/2025 09:30:02
Some women, who just gave birth to their babies a few days ago, start to experience symptoms such as breast engorgement and even fever. They initially thought that these were normal phenomena and that drinking more water would solve the problem. However, with time passing by, these symptoms did not go away, and they even became more severe.
At this time, I went to the hospital for a check-up and found out that I had a puerperal infection.
What is puerperal infection and how is it treated? Many people are not familiar with or have never heard of puerperal infection.
Puerperal infections occur during childbirth and puerperium. Various symptoms appear due to bacterial infections, mainly abdominal pain, high fever, etc.
The incidence of puerperal infections is 60%.
The occurrence of this phenomenon is related to various factors, such as not paying attention to personal hygiene, malnutrition during pregnancy, or premature rupture of membranes, among others.
The harm of puerperal infection is not small, because the infection occurs in the reproductive organs, so after the onset of the disease, if not treated in time, it will cause adhesion or blockage of the fallopian tubes, thus causing infertility.
Furthermore, the incidence of uterine infection during the postpartum period can also increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy.
Therefore, after being diagnosed with a puerperal infection, the pregnant woman must actively cooperate with the doctor for treatment.
There are many treatments for postpartum infections, and which one is appropriate depends on the patient's condition.
Under normal circumstances, doctors would recommend removing the residue in the uterine cavity and using incision to drain the abscess out of the body.
After the surgery, the patient is required to take medication for a period of time for anti-inflammatory purposes.
During the recovery period, it is recommended that patients rest more and consume nutritious foods that can aid in recovery.
Factors leading to puerperal infection are: puerperal infection usually occurs between 24 hours and 10 days after delivery.
Now, the hospital's technology and environment have been greatly improved, so the probability of this phenomenon has also been greatly reduced.
However, due to some personal reasons, a small number of pregnant women still develop symptoms.
So, what are the factors that cause puerperal infections? 1. Autoimmunity decreased. There are many reasons for puerperal infections, such as anemia, malnutrition or other comprehensive diseases before giving birth.
These conditions can all contribute to a decline in the body's immunity of the postpartum woman.
Moreover, the process of giving birth to a child will be relatively long. During this process, the mother will easily become tired and her physical strength will be quickly exhausted, resulting in a decline in the body's immunity and creating a good opportunity for bacteria.
2. The wound is open, and the cervix of a new mother who has just given birth has not yet completely closed. Coupled with the detachment of the placenta, it can lead to a large wound.
The perineum, vagina, and cervix, among other areas, may experience significant tearing during childbirth. A slight lack of hygiene can lead to bacterial infection in the wounds, resulting in a postpartum infection.
3. If a woman does not pay attention to personal hygiene before giving birth or after childbirth, it is also likely to occur from puerperal infection.
Symptoms of infection during the puerperium, and the main cause of infection is bacterial infection.
This situation is still quite urgent. A mild infection may only make the mother feel uncomfortable, but a serious infection may cause many diseases and even cause shock.
Therefore, when dealing with puerperal infections, it is best to treat them immediately after symptoms appear.
The main symptoms of infection during the postpartum period include: 1. The presence of an infection in the lower body, as the perineum and vagina are prone to tears during childbirth, making the perineal tear highly susceptible to infection. If redness, swelling, heat, tenderness, or purulent discharge is observed, it is imperative to inform the doctor promptly to prevent further damage to the wound or abscess formation.
2. After uterine inflammation develops during childbirth, bacteria can enter the patient's body through the tear in the placenta.
At this time, the uterus will secrete a lot of purulent secretions and have an unpleasant odor.
Additionally, the patient will also experience symptoms such as fever and headache, and pressing the abdomen will also cause pain.
3. Acute Pelvic Inflammation: Acute pelvic inflammation also manifests as symptoms of infection during the postpartum period, characterized by high fever, chills, abdominal pain, and abdominal distension. Upon examination, there may be palpable masses, and leukocyte count may be elevated.
Infections that occur during the puerperium period must be treated promptly to avoid progressive deterioration and ultimately endangering life.
In addition to active treatment, patients must also adhere to various nursing care practices during their recovery period.
1. Take rest; after giving birth, women should rest more, but due to infection during the puerperium period, they bear more pain.
If you wish to recover more quickly, it is imperative that the patient rest adequately. It is advisable to adopt a semi-recumbent position at home, which facilitates easier uterine discharge.
2. Be aware of the condition's progression. During the period of receiving treatment, expectant mothers need to constantly monitor their own health conditions and cooperate with medical personnel, such as measuring it every four hours or so.
If you have nausea, vomiting or fever, please tell the doctor as soon as possible.
3. Proper perineal care is essential. In the event of an infection during the puerperium, it is imperative for the parturient to maintain cleanliness by using a special saline solution under medical supervision.
For patients with perineal wounds and infections requiring exudation drainage, it is necessary to use disinfectants daily for cleaning and applying medications.
How to prevent puerperal infections? Puerperal infections will not only affect the health of the mother and bring a lot of discomfort, but also take a lot of time to treat. Therefore, Xiao Bian recommends that expectant mothers who are about to have children can actively prevent puerperal infections.
1. Pay attention to postpartum hygiene. After giving birth, women who give birth should not only pay attention to sleep and maintain enough physical strength, but also pay attention to personal hygiene.
For example, wash the perineum with warm water every day, at least once a day in the morning and evening.
In addition, the postpartum pads you use should also be replaced frequently.
2. Exercise appropriately after delivery. The puerperium period is a stage of physical recovery for pregnant women, but it does not mean that during this process, the pregnant woman completely needs to rest in bed.
After the body recovers to a certain extent, the mother should get out of bed and exercise more. She can insist on doing postpartum gymnastics, which will also help her body recover.
3. Mood care: Pregnant women who have just given birth should keep a happy mood and relax mentally. This will not only recover more favorably, but also effectively prevent puerperial infections.
The medical part covered in this article is for reading and reference only.
If you feel unwell, it is recommended to seek medical attention immediately, and the medical diagnosis and treatment will be subject to offline diagnosis.