In the article, we will consider why there is a temperature after cesarean.
A woman's body after natural delivery is very weakened and susceptible to various infections. If we talk about caesarean section (operative delivery), then this is a big stress for the female body. Some pregnant women often underestimate the seriousness of such a surgical intervention. Often the temperature after cesarean rises. This can be triggered by both harmless factors and pathological.
Temperature measurement rules
Caesarean section is a complete surgical operation in which the muscles of the abdomen and uterus are cut in order to extract the fetus from a pregnant woman. At the moment, this manipulation is not an innovation and is well distributed. In the period after the operation, a woman needs to carefully monitor her ownhe alth, follow all the recommendations given by the doctor, in particular, regularly take temperature measurements.
Start measuring temperature after caesarean section should be the next day after surgery, and this should be done four times a day. Measurements should continue all the time while the woman is in the maternity hospital. The obtained indicators must be recorded, indicating the specific time of measurement. This approach allows you to track the dynamics.
It is important that the temperature should be measured by placing the thermometer under the tongue, and not in the armpit (the temperature in this place will be increased in any case, due to the onset of lactation).
To obtain reliable results, a woman is recommended to lie down for about 15 minutes before the measurement procedure to calm down. Emotional overload and physical activity are quite capable of causing an increase in temperature. The use of an electronic thermometer remains preferable.
After a woman is discharged, she should continue to monitor her body and take her temperature if she has the slightest sign of illness.
What should be the temperature after cesarean?
Normal postoperative temperatures
After a caesarean section, a woman quite often has a slight increase in temperature. This situation is considered normal. Many wonder how long it laststemperature after caesarean section. During the first day, the indicators can reach 38 degrees. Such hyperthermia is a natural reaction of the body in response to a serious surgical intervention. On the second day after caesarean section, the indicators drop to 37-37.5 degrees. Such indicators persist for about 7-10 days, then return to normal. But in some women, a temperature elevated to a subfebrile level can be observed within a month. This is due to the individual characteristics of the organism.
Temperature after cesarean is a natural reaction provoked by harmless factors not associated with the addition of an infection:
- Dehydration.
- Hormonal restructuring. The female body after pregnancy and delivery begins to restore its hormonal levels.
- The use of drugs. Under the influence of some of them, blood circulation improves, which, in turn, can provoke a slight increase in temperature.
- The formation of lactation and the beginning of the process of milk production.
- Emotional stress in a young mother, which is due to the awareness of the past operation and the birth of a child.
- Beginning of the suture healing process. Slight hyperthermia accelerates metabolic processes and speedy tissue regeneration.
Pathological causes of hyperthermia after operative delivery
The occurrence of a high temperature in a woman in labor onthe next day after caesarean section (above 38 degrees) may be a sign of a developing inflammatory process. If an infection of the body occurs, the indicators can rise to 39-40 degrees.
Despite the fact that caesarean section has the advantage - the uterine cavity after the extraction of the fetus is subjected to careful control (in particular, the specialist removes all remnants of the fetal membrane), it is impossible to completely exclude the possibility of infection.
According to statistics, the probability of infection after a caesarean section reaches 8%. In addition, such infection ranks fourth in the list of reasons for the death of women in childbirth.
You should also take into account the general weakness of the female body after childbirth, whatever it may be - natural or artificial.
Most often, complications after caesarean section are caused by the following pathological causes.
Pneumonia (lung infection)
Occurs, as a rule, after 4 days after surgery. The disease may be accompanied by general weakness, coughing, shortness of breath. The risk group includes women who smoke, suffer from obesity, as well as those who underwent surgery under general anesthesia.
Wound infection
This reason is most likely if the operation was performed urgently, in the absence of the necessary antibacterial preparation. The risk group includes women who are obese, malnourishedbody, as well as those who took hormonal medications. The infection can penetrate into the external and internal seams, causing them to fester.
Lactostasis, mastitis often occur after childbirth
These phenomena usually develop 2-3 weeks after surgery. They are associated with insufficient excretion of milk and blockage of the milk ducts. In the early stages of pathologies, a child can eliminate breast engorgement with his intensive breast sucking. Pumping is also effective. With advanced forms of pathology, accompanied by the appearance of purulent discharge, there is often a need for surgical intervention. Why does the temperature rise after caesarean?
Pyelonephritis
It is an inflammatory pathology of the kidneys provoked by an infection. The disease is accompanied by chills, pain in the lower back. Women are not always able to recognize the infection, as they often attribute their negative state to tissue healing after surgery.
Injury to the bladder, intestines, ureters that occurred during the operation. Due to injury, the inflammation process develops already on the first day after the caesarean section.
Cystitis (genitourinary tract infection)
Pathology often develops as a result of the installation of a catheter. But the corresponding infectious agents are able to penetrate the female body long before delivery. The insidiousness of cystitis lies in the fact that a woman can perceive its manifestations as natural pain aftersurgery.
Endometritis
This pathology is an inflammatory process affecting the inner lining of the uterus. In addition to an increase in temperature, a woman has the appearance of purulent discharge that has an unpleasant odor. In the process of palpation, the uterus becomes painful, while laboratory tests reveal an increased concentration of leukocytes in the blood and smears. Endometritis is a common complication after caesarean section. It develops, as a rule, within the first five days after the intervention, but in some cases a woman may notice its symptoms only after discharge from the maternity hospital.
What to do after a caesarean section?
Need to see a specialist
If a woman's temperature rises above 37.5 degrees, then this is a fair reason for refusing to be discharged from the maternity hospital. Specialists comprehensively and carefully examine the woman. If a complication is detected, the patient is prescribed the necessary therapy. In some cases, a transfer to another hospital department is indicated.
In cases where hyperthermia develops after discharge from the maternity hospital, a visit to a specialist should not be postponed (even if there are no concomitant symptoms of the disease).
Certain pathologies, in particular internal wound infection, pneumonia, endometritis, pose a great danger to he alth if the necessary therapy is not available. Sometimes there is even a threat to the life of a youngmothers, as sepsis may develop.
Medical advice is required even if the fever persisted for several days and then returned to normal.
How to bring down the temperature at home after cesarean?
Methods of treatment and use of medicines
First of all, a woman should understand that it is forbidden to self-medicate with a pathological increase in temperature. You can use only those medicines that are prescribed by a specialist after the necessary studies.
Usually, doctors prescribe to patients not only antibacterial therapy, but also anti-inflammatory and antipyretic drugs.
If a woman is not breastfeeding, there are many such medicines available to her. But during lactation, only drugs based on ibuprofen and paracetamol are allowed. It is allowed to use the drugs of the same name - Ibuprofen, Paracetamol. Some women often use Efferalgan medicinal syrup for children. There are no contraindications in this regard in the instructions for use. The drug is based on paracetamol, and due to the fact that the drug has a children's form, the concentration of the active ingredient in it is small. Thus, the effect on the body is gentle.
It is important to strictly follow the instructions for use for Efferalgan syrup for children.
Experts do not advise trying to bring down the temperature if it is less than 38 degrees. At higher rates, it is already recommended to take special funds.
Thus, a woman should be vigilant about her he alth and consult a doctor as soon as the temperature is 37.5 after a caesarean or higher. In other cases, slight hyperthermia is a normal sign of tissue healing.
