Life
Recovering from childbirth is tough, even if everything went according to plan. If you delivered vaginally, your lady parts will be sore and your entire body will probably be exhausted from the ordeal. If you had a C-section, you'll be dealing with a painful scar and the aftermath of major surgery. Either way, it's not fun. On top of all that, you also need to keep an eye out for any nasty surprises that mean your recovery is suffering a setback. There are quite a few things you didn't realize are signs of a postpartum infection that are worth knowing about.
When you're still in the hospital, you'll have a team of doctors and nurses monitoring you constantly to make sure you're staying healthy after birth. From passing gas to how much you pee, they'll want to know pretty much everything about your body. But when you go home, it's on you to make sure you're in good shape. With a newborn to take care of, your own condition might be the furthest thing from your mind. But keeping yourself happy and healthy is one of the most important things you can do for your baby's health and happiness as well.
Here are seven symptoms to monitor and get checked out if they don't go away.
1
A Fever
Fevers can be so common that you may just pop some Tylenol and ignore it. But according to Baby Center, if your temperature is over 100 degrees, you could very well have an infection.
2
Abdominal Pain
Don't ignore it if you're feeling cramping or abdominal pain after birth. According to About Kids Health, this could be a sign of a pelvic infection. They're the most common complication after birth, and women who've had C-sections are especially susceptible.
3
Foul Smelling Discharge
You'll deal with bleeding and discharge for weeks after birth whether you've delivered vaginally or had a C-section. If your discharge develops a strong odor, however, Medline Plus noted that this could be a sign of an infection.
4
Pain Or Swelling Around Your Incision
It's normal for your C-section incision to be tender for a while after birth. But What To Expect noted that if your C-section scar is very painful, red, swollen, or oozing, you could have an infection on your hands. Have your doctor take a look at it.
5
Pain Or Burning When You Pee
Pain or burning when you urinate after birth isn't normal, according to March of Dimes. If you're experiencing bathroom difficulties, you may need to talk to your doctor about an infection.
6
Constipation
Constipation can be common after birth, but that doesn't mean you should brush it off. According to Healthline, constipation or pain during a bowel movement can be a sign of a postpartum infection.
7
Pain Or Hardness In Your Breasts
Postpartum infections aren't just confined to your nether regions. They can also strike the breasts. If you're dealing with pain, redness, or hard spots in your boobs, you may have a breast infection called mastitis according to Kelly Mom. Antibiotics may be needed to clear it up.
