Most infections after delivery relate directly to the delivery or the associated procedures like a cesarean section, forceps delivery, suturing of an episiotomy or breast feeding. The sutures of the C.section repair can get infected, tears in the vagina from the forceps can get infected as well. This would have to be treated with antibiotics as would infected stitches from an episiotomy.
Ascending bacteria in the uterine cavity can lead to endometritis. Apart from the other vaginal complications, there can be vaginal infections, urinary tract infections and thrombophlebitis with infection (also deep vein thrombosis). If the mother has a vaginal yeast infection, this can be transmitted into the mouth of the baby during the delivery.
From there it is only a small step to a yeast infection and invasive soft tissue infection with a variety of bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, and a massive mastitis (thanks to www.beliefnet.com for the image) of mother’s breast can result from this, which may have to be incised and drained, if oral antibiotics are not effective alone.
Infections After Delivery (Often Following Forceps Deliveries)
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