More Women Are Getting Infections After Childbirth. Here's the Overlooked Reason Why

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Bringing a new life into the world is one of the most profound experiences a woman can go through, but the weeks that follow childbirth carry their own set of risks that are too often overlooked. Postpartum infections, also called puerperal infections, are on the rise globally, and understanding why is critical to protecting maternal health.

We spoke to Dr Aparna Sankar R, Consultant Gynaecologist, Dr KM Cherian Institute of Medical Sciences, Chengannur, who explained postpartum infections and reasons for their rising cases.

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What Are Postpartum Infections?

"The term postpartum infection refers to a bacterial infection in the reproductive tract, urinary tract, breasts, or a wound after childbirth. The more prevalent ones include endometritis, which means an infection of the uterus lining; infections in the wound resulting from a caesarean incision or episiotomy, urinary tract infections, and mastitis in lactating women," explained Dr Sankar. Fever, abnormal discharges, pain, and reddening are among their symptoms, which many women brush off as just post-delivery symptoms.

Why Are Cases Increasing?

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There are many reasons why postpartum infections are on the rise. One of the major reasons is the rise in the rate of caesarean sections worldwide. "C-sections, although life-saving in many cases, create a larger wound surface and a longer recovery time, thus increasing the window for bacteria to enter," said Dr Sankar. In India and several other countries, caesarean rates now far exceed the WHO-recommended threshold of 10-15%, raising the risk profile for a growing number of new mothers.

The issue of antibiotic resistance is equally important. Organisms that could be treated with ease have become more difficult to control, thus rendering post-delivery infections capable of progressing rapidly if left untreated. Hospital-acquired infections, especially in poorly-equipped facilities, make further contributions to this problem.

"Long labour, repeated internal examination of the mother during labour, early rupture of the membranes, and retained products of conception are some of the clinical risk factors that increase the danger level. Other high-risk cases include women with anaemia, diabetes, and an immune deficiency," added Dr Sankar.

The Role of Postpartum Care Gaps

One key factor that cannot be overlooked is the disparity in the provision of postpartum care services. Most women are released from hospitals after just 24-48 hours of childbirth with minimal supervision, and hence, early infections go unnoticed.

What Can Be Done?

Dr Sankar concluded, "Early detection of warning signs, early antibiotic prophylaxis before surgical deliveries, proper wound care, and scheduled postnatal follow-up visits are all well-established risk mitigation methods. Equally important is educating new mothers to trust their instincts; if something feels wrong, it probably warrants a check. Postpartum infections are largely preventable. What they need is attention."