What are the symptoms of childbed fever?
Possible symptoms of childbed fever1
- Headache, feeling generally unwell2
- Sore throat
- Raised temperature (over 38°C is a fever)
- Fast pulse (over 100 beats per minute)
- Fast breathing
- Offensive vaginal discharge
- Rash
- Vomiting and/or diarrhoea
- Abdominal/leg pains
Childbed fever can strike down any new mother, irrespective of age, fitness or health.
Fever is an obvious sign of infection, but not everyone who develops septicaemia has a temperature, so it is important to look at all of the symptoms as a whole.
If you have two or more of these symptoms, especially if they are getting worse, or if you are in any doubt, please call your GP or midwife, or go to hospital immediately. Remember, the infection can get worse in hours, not days.
Childbed fever: the facts
Information for health professionals
You should not rely on this information as medical advice or a diagnosis. If you are in any doubt, it is imperative that you seek professional diagnosis from a doctor.
