After a successful and safe birth, there are still things that can adversely affect the health of the mother, including postpartum infections. Postpartum infections, or “puerperal” infections, are one of the leading causes of death among pregnant women, making them a significant concern in maternal health. Our birth injury lawyers at TLF: The Medical Injury Law Firm are here to help you understand the different types of postpartum infections someone might suffer from, as well as the dangers of postpartum infections and the risk factors that could lead to them.
Despite advancements in healthcare, infections that go undiagnosed or untreated continue to claim lives. The risks of postpartum infections increase significantly when doctors and other medical staff fail to provide timely intervention or adhere to proper hygiene and medical protocols during and after childbirth.
If you or a loved one has suffered from a postpartum infection as a result of medical negligence, contact the Northern Kentucky and Ohio birth injury attorneys at TLF right away. Our team is here to help you seek justice for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Call us toll-free at (800) 698-4054 or reach out online to schedule a free consultation with a member of our legal team regarding your case.
What is a Postpartum Infection?
A postpartum infection occurs when harmful bacteria enters the body after childbirth, leading to an infection in the mother’s uterus, cervix, or other bodily area. These infections can develop during or after delivery.
Prompt medical attention is essential to treat the infection and prevent serious complications. Postpartum infection treatments include antibiotic prophylaxis and other supportive measures.
How Common are Postpartum Infections?
According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 6% of women suffer from postpartum infections, with 7.4% of those suffering after cesarean delivery, and 5.5% following vaginal delivery. In the same report, they found that 94% of the infections were detected after the mother had been discharged from the hospital, and 74% of those mothers did not return to the hospital they had just been discharged from.
The Dangers of Postpartum or Puerperal Infection
Like any infection, postpartum infections can lead to serious health complications if not treated in a timely manner. These infectious complications could include infertility, damage to the reproductive organs, or the development of an abdominal abscess. Additionally, infection or inflammation after birth could result in septic pelvic thrombophlebitis (SPV), or blood clots in the pelvic veins.
In some cases, postpartum infections can spread to other parts of the body, causing widespread harm or even death.
Common Types of Postpartum Infections
There are several types of postpartum infections that can occur within a mother after childbirth, and these infections can affect many different parts of the body. Below are the different types of postpartum infections someone could suffer from after birth.
Postpartum Sepsis
Postpartum sepsis, or puerperal sepsis, is a severe infection that spreads throughout the body, often originating from the uterus or other affected areas after birth. Worldwide, sepsis is a major contributor to maternal infectious morbidity, leading to 10-15% of postpartum deaths.
Untreated infectious diseases or a delay in identifying and addressing signs of infection can lead to sepsis. This is often the result of negligence, such as failure to monitor vital signs, inadequate infection prevention during delivery, or not promptly administering oral antibiotics.
If you or a loved one has suffered from sepsis after birth as a result of negligence, contact our Covington and Cincinnati sepsis malpractice lawyers at TLF right away.
Postpartum Endometritis (Uterine Infection)
Postpartum endometritis occurs when bacteria infects the lining of the uterus, typically after childbirth. This infection is often caused by improper sterilization of medical instruments, failure to address tears or infections during delivery, or not adequately monitoring for signs of infection within postpartum women.
Postpartum Peritonitis
Another type of postpartum infection is postpartum peritonitis, a life-threatening infection of the abdominal cavity. This can be caused by a uterine infection, untreated surgical wounds, or perforation during delivery. It can also be caused by a delay in diagnosing and treating the infection or improper surgical procedures during a cesarean delivery.
Postpartum Wound Infections
During a vaginal delivery, mothers may suffer from tears in their perineum. They may also have open wounds as a result of a cesarean or episiotomy. Improper cleaning, inadequate sterile technique during surgery, or failure to properly monitor the wound for signs of infection can lead to postpartum wound infections.
Postpartum Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Many women are also very susceptible to urinary tract infections (UTIs), which occur when bacteria enters the urinary system. UTIs in the postpartum period can be caused by improper catheter use, failing to encourage frequent urination after delivery, or not properly addressing early signs of a UTI.
Postpartum Bacterial Vaginosis
An imbalance of healthy bacteria in the vagina after birth can lead to postpartum bacterial vaginosis. This can be caused by poor hygiene practices, prolonged labor, or improper antibiotic use.
Postpartum Mastitis (Breast Infection)
Blocked milk ducts or bacteria entering through cracked nipples can lead to what is called postpartum mastitis. Pressure on the breast, such as wearing an overly tight bra or using a tight seatbelt, can contribute to infection. However, a mother could also suffer from a breast infection in the hospital due to improper hygiene practices or failure to monitor for early signs of infection.
Postpartum Pelvic Abscess
A postpartum pelvic abscess is a collection of pus in the pelvic region, often resulting from untreated infections in the uterus or surrounding areas. Inadequate sterilization, failure to address complications during labor and delivery, or delays in diagnosis and treatment can lead to the formation of an abscess.
Postpartum Group A Streptococcal (GAS) Infections
Streptococcus pyogenes, the bacteria responsible for strep throat, can also infect mothers in the postpartum period. Group A Streptococcal (GAS) infections can develop from untreated or misdiagnosed soft tissue infections, such as in the uterus or perineum.
Postpartum Clostridial Infections
Clostridial infections, caused by the Clostridium bacteria, can lead to life-threatening conditions like gas gangrene in the postpartum period. Like many others, these infections can result from unsterile surgical procedures, delays in addressing infection, or improper wound care.
Signs of Postpartum Infection
The signs of postpartum infection can vary depending on the type of infection. However, the most common signs of postpartum infection include:
- Postpartum fever
- Chills
- Unusual or foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Abdominal pain
- Pain at the site of any surgical wounds
- Swelling, redness, or warmth around the incision area
- Fatigue
- Nausea
Failing to recognize the signs of these infections following birth could result in a failure to diagnose lawsuit.
What are the Risk Factors for Postpartum Infection?
There are several risk factors that can increase the likelihood of developing a postpartum infection after childbirth. These factors can vary from individual to individual and may involve both medical and environmental conditions.
Failure to Diagnose and Treat Infections Early
One of the key risk factors for postpartum infections is the failure to diagnose and treat early signs of infection. Delays in identifying symptoms, such as fever or pain, can lead to the infection spreading and becoming more severe. Timely intervention with antibiotic regimens or other treatments is essential to prevent complications and ensure the best possible recovery.
Poor Sterile Practices in Hospitals and Clinics
Inadequate sterile practices during childbirth, such as improper cleaning of surgical instruments or failure to follow proper hygiene protocols, can increase the risk of postpartum infections. Poor sterilization during cesarean sections or vaginal deliveries can allow bacteria to enter the body, leading to infections in the uterus, surgical wounds, or other areas. Proper sterilization and infection control practices are essential to minimize this risk.
Inadequate Postpartum Monitoring
Inadequate monitoring after childbirth is another significant risk factor for postpartum infections. If healthcare providers do not consistently check for signs of infection, such as fever or abnormal discharge, an infection may go unnoticed and untreated. Regular monitoring in the hours and days following delivery is crucial to detect potential infections early and ensure appropriate treatment.
Mismanagement of C-Sections and Episiotomies
Improper care or management of surgical procedures like cesarean sections and episiotomy malpractice increases the risk of infection. If these procedures are not performed with proper technique or if post-operative care, such as wound care and infection prevention, is neglected, a surgical site infection. Mismanagement during or after these procedures can lead to complications such as wound infections or deeper pelvic infections.
Filing a Medical Malpractice Claim for Postpartum Infections
In order to file a medical malpractice claim for postpartum infections, you must be able to prove that a healthcare provider’s negligence directly led to the infection and the resulting harm. When nurses, doctors, and other medical professionals fail to meet the expected standard of care for their position and level of experience, and they cause injuries or worsening conditions to patients, they can be found negligent. Ignoring hygiene protocol or failing to monitor for signs of infection could constitute as failure to meet the expected standard of care.
If you have been the victim of labor and delivery medical negligence leading to postpartum infection, it’s important to gather evidence, such as medical records, expert testimony, and documentation of the infection’s impact to show that the infection could have been prevented with appropriate care. A medical malpractice attorney can help guide you through the process and determine whether you have a valid case.
How the Experienced Birth Injury and Maternal Malpractice Attorneys TLF Can Help
At TLF: The Medical Injury Law Firm, we understand how devastating it can be to suffer from injuries after giving birth, especially when they’re the result of healthcare negligence. Our experienced Ohio and Northern Kentucky medical malpractice attorneys are dedicated to helping mothers who have suffered from postpartum injuries such as infections.
We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that a postpartum infection can take, and we are committed to holding healthcare providers accountable for their actions. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case, gather the necessary evidence, and work with medical experts to demonstrate how the infection could have been prevented with proper care.
We will guide you through the legal process, ensuring that you receive the justice you deserve by helping you recover compensation for damages such as pain and suffering, medical expenses, and any long-term effects caused by the infection.
Contact a Kentucky or Ohio Postpartum Infection Lawyer at TLF: The Medical Injury Law Firm Today
Our attorneys at TLF: The Medical Injury Law Firm are incredibly experienced with handling a wide range of medical malpractice and birth-related injury claims, including those that affect mothers. If you or a loved one has suffered from an infection during the postpartum period as a result of medical negligence, we can help you seek the justice you deserve.
Postpartum infections can cause long-term physical and emotional consequences, and you deserve the opportunity to hold those responsible accountable for their actions. Our Ohio and Kentucky maternal birth injury attorneys understand the challenges you may be facing and will work tirelessly to secure the compensation you need for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
You shouldn’t have to go through this alone–call us toll-free at (800) 698-4054 to schedule a free consultation with a member of our team. You can also call our Covington, KY office directly at (859) 578-9130, our Cincinnati, OH law office at (513) 651-4130, or contact us online.