Why does the temperature often rise after childbirth and what to do?

Many new mothers notice an increase in body temperature after giving birth. This can be worrisome, particularly as you’re getting used to life with a newborn. It’s normal to want to know why this occurs and what can be done to feel better.

There are a number of reasons why temperatures can change after childbirth. Significant changes are occurring in your body, including changes in hormones and the healing process. A fever may occasionally indicate a more serious problem that requires medical attention.

This phase can be less stressful if you know when to seek help and are aware of the potential causes of a temperature rise. It’s equally crucial to look after yourself as it is your child.

Reasons

Pain and some blood loss are always a part of childbirth. The woman’s body responds by triggering her immune system. After the birth of the child, a slight increase in nasal temperature is the absolute norm. Physiological temperature shouldn’t be high or persistent, as this should not lead to anxiety or unrest.

After giving birth, a temperature of 37.0–37.8 degrees is deemed acceptable within a day or two.

The immune system adjusts and the temperature gradually returns to normal if there are no complications and the postpartum period goes smoothly. Waiting is all that’s required; the early postpartum phase can extend for up to 42 hours.

Thermal protective reaction can also manifest itself as a response to a complication. The risk of infection in natural birth is lower than with a cesarean section, but it also exists. If bacteria or viruses have penetrated the uterine cavity, then the increase in temperature will be the work of the immune system aimed at destroying them. In this case, heat plays an important role, without it, the production of natural interferon will be slower, which means that the body will be weaker in resisting bacteria and viruses. Complications of an infectious nature, inflammatory processes in the uterine cavity in most cases are accompanied by high fever – up to 38.0-39.0 degrees.

After childbirth, the temperature can rise as soon as two to three days later. At the same time, the woman experiences lower abdominal and uterine pain, as well as unusual discharge from her genitalia. Women who give birth at home or in dubious clinics, where certain hygienic protocols may be disregarded, are at a higher risk of experiencing postpartum complications. The risk of infection is minimal in maternity hospitals and perinatal centers because modern, disposable equipment, antibiotics, and antiseptics are typically used.

• women with very low body weight;
• women in labor with HIV infection, tuberculosis, blood diseases;
• women who began to suffer from infectious lesions of the reproductive system in the last trimester;
• women whose labor was difficult and long, especially if the anhydrous period (after the discharge of amniotic fluid) lasted more than 12 hours;
• women in labor who faced the need for any surgical manipulations during the birth of the baby, even if it was just a perineal incision;
• women who led an inappropriate lifestyle before childbirth – drank alcohol, smoked, used drugs.

The following circumstances could also be contributing factors to the rise in temperature, in addition to infectious complications during the postpartum period:

• a cold or a viral respiratory infection (it was cold in the delivery room, someone from the medical staff or those around the woman at the time of birth was sick with ARVI, but did not know about it);
• problems with hormonal balance (if the mother has endocrine disorders).

In the event that the woman had a chronic illness prior to becoming pregnant, it could also cause her temperature to spike. Following childbirth, immunity deteriorates, so certain "dormant" illnesses may resurface. Increases in body temperature during the postpartum phase can lead to pyelonephritis, nephritis, worsening of peptic ulcer disease, and cystitis.

The onset of active production of true breast milk after the transitional period may be linked to violent processes occurring in the mammary glands on the third to fifth day following childbirth, which may be the cause of an increase in temperature.

Chest pain and fever are also associated with mastopathy and stagnant milk production in the glands. These symptoms persist until the underlying cause is resolved.

An incomplete placenta may be the source of an elevated body temperature. The "baby’s place" is manually separated during a cesarean section, and the uterus is thoroughly examined by the doctor prior to sutures. It is nearly impossible to tell during a natural birthing process if the placenta has detached completely. The tiny pieces that are still there may cause bleeding and a serious inflammatory reaction inside the uterus. Additionally, a rise in body temperature is linked to hypotension, or the uterus contracting too slowly and poorly. In this instance, the uterus becomes overflowing with lochia, or postpartum discharge.

The mother’s lifestyle must be investigated if her temperature has increased a month after giving birth and after being released from the maternity hospital. She may have developed a viral infection, be exhausted, or suffer from chronic sleep deprivation. There’s nothing unusual about fever and chills accompanying even prolonged fatigue.

A woman’s body changes significantly after giving birth, and hormonal changes, physical recuperation, or infections like mastitis can all contribute to an increase in body temperature. It is crucial to keep an eye on the temperature and seek medical attention if it continues to rise or if it is accompanied by additional symptoms.

Features of measurement

The traditional method of taking body temperature after childbirth is no longer feasible because the thermometer readings taken under the armpit will be excessively high because of the close proximity of the mammary glands, which trigger the start of the milk production process. They won’t line up with reality.

It is therefore advised that a woman place the thermometer in the elbow bend or place a thick waffle towel between her armpit and her engorged breast. A non-contact thermometer in the home medicine cabinet is a good idea.

Actions of a woman

An increase in body temperature following childbirth cannot be disregarded, underestimated, or left unnoticed. Talking to a doctor about thermoregulation disorders is crucial because they may indicate complications. When it comes to inflated thermometer readings, some women purposefully remain silent during the maternity hospital rounds. In order to prevent discharge from being delayed, this is done.

Such behavior is unacceptable since any complications will still become apparent if they arise. Subsequently, upon release from the hospital, the woman will need to relinquish the baby temporarily and seek medical attention.

Nearly every postpartum issue calls for medical attention and treatment. For this reason, during the first forty-two hours following childbirth, women in maternity hospitals take their temperature three times a day, keep an eye on their health, and assist in helping the baby latch on to the breast.

What should you inform your physician? Firstly, that it’s now warmer outside. Without a doubt, the expert will keep a close eye on the duration of the increase. It is perfectly normal for there to be one brief episode of fever following childbirth due to immunological causes. Even at very low temperatures (roughly 37.0 degrees), a persistent fever can be a dangerous symptom. The laboring woman won’t comprehend this if she doesn’t have assistance from a specialist.

In order to identify the cause of the fever, if the woman’s temperature increased in the early stages prior to discharge, she will undoubtedly undergo an ultrasound and a blood test. By using an ultrasound examination, you can find out the uterus’s size and whether any foreign objects—like placental fragments—are inside of it.

The reason for the increase in temperature will determine what action to take. Antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications will be prescribed to the woman if the issue is related to the inflammatory process. The use of contraction-intensifying medications is necessary for uterine hypotension. Obstetric curettage is advised if fragments of the placenta or stagnation of lochia are found in the uterus. Under intravenous anesthesia, it is carried out.

If your body did not surprise you while you were in the maternity hospital and you started experiencing fever, chills, or headaches after being discharged home, you should be aware of the accompanying symptoms. If the woman has pain in her throat, she probably has a cold; if she experiences burning or pain when urinating, she may have cystitis. Abdominal pains are regarded as the most dangerous type of pain.

See a doctor right away if you have fever and abdominal pain, or if there is unusual discharge coming from your genitalia. It is important to keep in mind that systemic sepsis can arise from acute inflammatory diseases of the internal organs in their most severe form.

A medical examination of the mammary glands is also necessary because of the rise in temperature. You should consult a doctor right away if your fever spikes on the fifth day after giving birth and your breasts start to hurt because advanced mastitis can endanger a woman’s life. A female patient might require surgical support.

The primary cause of the temperature increase right after childbirth is physiological. Any rise in temperature beyond the first 42-hour rehabilitation period cannot be regarded as physiological.

Is it possible to take medications?

As was already mentioned, the majority of the time, medication will be needed to treat complications. However, not every one of them can be used while nursing. If a doctor advises a woman to temporarily stop breastfeeding due to the high dosage of antibiotics she needs or the need for surgery, she shouldn’t stop expressing her breast milk because doing so will cause lactostasis or the milk to completely disappear.

Treatment with modern, effective antibiotics rarely needs to last longer than seven days. They are typically prescribed for five days. Consequently, following the conclusion of the treatment, a woman will be able to resume breastfeeding.

Women who do not require antibiotics may be prescribed hormonal, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory medications. Not all of them are permitted when nursing. The doctor will approach each case individually, starting with the maximization of benefits to the mother and the least amount of harm to the child.

It is acceptable to take "Paracetamol" and "Ibuprofen" for fever during lactation, though there have recently been contentious discussions about the latter medication in the professional community. An international team of scientists declared that ibuprofen, the active ingredient, has distantly detrimental effects on human health. There has been no formal confirmation of this data yet.

When aspirin and analgin get into breast milk, the child’s life and health could be seriously jeopardized. Therefore, breastfeeding is not advised with them.

Fruit-flavored antipyretic powders, which are now commonly found on pharmacy shelves, are also not advised because they include a lot of dyes that are not suitable for a nursing mother and her child.

A mother’s body often experiences a number of changes following childbirth, and an increase in temperature is one of them. This may be the result of hormonal changes, a mild infection that requires medical attention, or even a typical postpartum recuperation.

It’s critical to keep a close eye on your symptoms if you experience a fever. Taking care of oneself, staying hydrated, and managing mild cases are often helpful. To rule out more serious problems like infections, you should see a doctor if the fever doesn’t go away or if you have any other worrisome symptoms.

Never forget that your health is very important to you and your child, so don’t be afraid to ask for assistance if something doesn’t feel right. You can better care for your newborn if you take care of yourself.

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