Do you fall sick often? Is fever one of the common problems you seem to face? Do you suffer from smelly vaginal discharge? Is there pain in your pelvic area? Do you worry about the well-being of your unborn baby because of the same?
If you said yes to the above questions, then there are chances that you are suffering from Sepsis. Don’t fret over what is sepsis in pregnancy. Scroll down and learn all about the disease here.
What Is Sepsis?
Sepsis is a bacterial infection that can infect pregnant women as well. It is a fatal disease. Sepsis occurs when harmful bacteria and toxins infect your tissues due to external or internal wounds. One-third of all pregnant women worldwide develop sepsis and bear severe consequences. Hence, sepsis demands early diagnosis and aggressive treatment.
Causes of Sepsis During Pregnancy:
Sepsis develops in a pregnant woman because of the either of the below mentioned reasons.
- Abortions: Infections are a common thing after any abortion. If a
- Caesarean Surgery: If you ever had an abdominal surgery, then chances of sepsis are high.
- Prolonged Vaginal Or Caesarean Delivery: A long labor is also one of the reasons behind sepsis.
- HIV, Influenza, Or Acute Illness: These diseases are also responsible for the occurrence of sepsis in expecting moms. (1)
[ Read: Common Infections During Pregnancy ]
Symptoms Of Sepsis During Pregnancy:
Some of the main symptoms of sepsis While pregnant include:
- Infection in the placenta or the uterus
- Elevated heart rate that is more than 90 beats per minute
- Fever during labor
- Increased respiratory rate
- Abnormal white blood cell count
- Premature of the rupture of the sac
About 15-30% of the bacteria pass to the baby during delivery. If such symptoms are evident during labor, then there are chances that your baby might be born with the infection.
[ Read: Tips To Deal With Stomach Infections During Pregnancy ]
Treating Sepsis During Pregnancy:
Some of the treatments for sepsis during pregnancy include:
- If you have sepsis, then you need to visit the doctor frequently. If your health deteriorates, seek an expert opinion from an obstetrician.
- If the doctor identifies genital sepsis, prompt treatment with proper antibiotics is essential. Doctors combine 2-3 antibiotics to treat sepsis.
- Apart from the methods we list above, doctors prescribe various therapies to avert the risk of organ dysfunction. (2)
[ Read: Symptoms Of Listeriosis In Pregnancy ]
Preventing Sepsis In Pregnancy:
Here are some ways you can reduce the risk of this kind of blood infection during pregnancy:
- The best way to reduce the chances of encountering sepsis is to prevent infections.
- Ensure that you wash your hands before cooking and eating.
- Timely vaccination is a must to avoid sepsis.
- In case of infection, take timely treatment so that it does not spread to your blood cells.
- People with diabetes, cancer, and women in their early 30s need to be extra cautious about hygiene and infections. Since they have weak immune system, the chances of sepsis increases. (3)
[ Read: Hygiene Tips To Follow During Pregnancy ]
Sepsis can lead to several complications. Although, it depends on the kind of infection that you contracts, the infection can worsen if it reaches your unborn child. If you identify any of the symptoms of sepsis, seek immediate medical attention; the quicker the diagnosis, the higher the chances of averting nasty side effects and other life-threatening complications.
Hope you are now clear about sepsis and pregnancy. If you have any questions, suggestions, corrections or experiences to share with us, please leave your comment in the section below. Help educate fellow mommies.
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