The journey of sacrifices starts from the moment you learn that you are pregnant. Sacrificing foods you love to protect the health of your baby, giving up on cold drinks, managing ailments like cold and fever without taking medication to again protect your baby from the harm of medication and so on. During pregnancy, you start taking care of yourself for the well being of the baby.
Once the baby is born, you start taking care of every little thing from hygiene to food and from regular checkups to vaccinations. From washing hands every time before taking the baby in arms to changing diapers every now and then for the prevention of infections. But dear new mothers, are you taking care of yourself? After childbirth, mommies are more prone to infections but because of running to and fro in order to take care of the new born baby, moms neglect their own health.
To get a better understanding on postpartum infections and how to keep them at bay, OnlyMyHealth interacted with Dr Sonam Simpatwar, MBBS, MD, Consultant Gynecologist, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.
Postpartum Infections
During postpartum, amid taking care of the baby, moms might experience some symptoms of postpartum infections. The common infections include endometritis, C section infection and another infection called mastitis, which occurs in the breast. Another most common infection is urinary tract infection.
Talking further, Dr Simpatwar said that postpartum infections are the most common cause of maternal mortality in India. Citing a study, Dr Simpatwar said, “In a study from 2017 by World Health Organisation, it was found that puerperal sepsis is responsible for 2.5% of all admissions to departments specializing in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in India. Out of these cases, severe infections affect 9%.”
“The medical burden of these infections is compounded by the alarmingly rapid increase in bacterial resistance to commonly used antibioticsTo effectively prevent postpartum infections, detailed hygiene and care practices are vital,” Dr Simpatwarkar added.
Also read: How To Recognise Postpartum Hypertension: Management Tips
Key Preventative Measures
It is of utmost importance to take appropriate precautions during and after pregnancy to avoid postpartum infections. Dr Simpatwarkar has listed down a few preventive measures.
1. Meticulous cleaning of the perineal area.
2. If during pregnancy, a woman has symptoms of vaginal infection, she should be treated immediately.
3. Clean your vagina with clean water and do not douche the genitals deeply.
4. Regular replacement of sanitary pads, coupled with thorough hand washing before and after.
5. The exclusive use of sanitary pads, refrain from using tampons to avert infection risks.
6. Diligent care for episiotomies or incisions, ensuring they remain dry and are not exposed to excessive heat which could prematurely dissolve stitches.
7. Avoid having sexual intercourse during early postpartum, it can increase the risk of infection
8. Keep the intimate area dry and keep changing your undergarments from time to time.
9. Clean and change bedding regularly
10. If you see any signs or symptoms of any kind of infection, immediately rush to the doctor and get proper treatment done.
Also read: Everything About Postpartum Periods You Need To Know
Concluding, Dr Simpatwar said, “Adhering to these guidelines can dramatically mitigate the risk of postpartum infections, promoting a safer and more comfortable recovery phase for new mothers.”