Endometritis after childbirth

Inflammation of the womb lining after childbirth is a bacterial infection in the womb. Fever, increasing lower abdominal pain, feeling unwell or unpleasant-smelling postnatal discharge needs medical assessment the same day, because prompt treatment prevents complications.

• A fever of 38°C or higher, sometimes with chills.
• Pain or increasing tenderness low in the abdomen, especially when the womb is pressed.
• Take your temperature if you become shivery, have pain or feel unwell, and record the time and reading.
• Watch for changes in abdominal pain and the smell and amount of postnatal discharge, and check the surgical wound.
• Call the same day for a fever of 38°C or higher in the first weeks after giving birth.
• For urgent GP care outside office hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediate threat to life.