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Introduction to postpartum sepsis

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Postpartum sepsis is defined as an infective process occurring to a pregnant woman within the six weeks following delivery.

These infections can be incidental to or acquired directly as a consequence of pregnancy and delivery.

For the purposes of this tutorial, we shall concentrate on infection related to obstetric interventions and procedures.

Learning objectives

At the end of this tutorial you will:

  • be aware of the common causes of postpartum infection
  • appreciate the risk factors that may result in postpartum sepsis
  • be able to clinically assess a postpartum woman presenting with signs of infection
  • be able to effect appropriate management of women with common postpartum infections
  • understand the consequences of delayed or inadequate treatment
  • appreciate the value of liaison with colleagues from other specialties in very unwell women or women with unusual presentations.

Last updated: 9/04/10 (tutorial reviewed and updated by Miss Fidelma O'Mahony)

Image permission: De Costa CM. The contagiousness of childbed fever: a short history of puerperal sepsis and its treatment. MJA 2002;177:668-671. ©2002. The Medical Journal of Australia - reproduced with permission.

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