Is childbed fever history?

In almost all cases, antibiotics are able to nip infection in the bud. It is estimated that, in the Western world, only three women in 100,000 births die from puerperal infection. Women in developing countries are not so lucky: it is thought the death rate there may be 100 times higher.

Symptoms of puerperal fever Symptoms include:

• Fever over 100?F (38?C) in the first two weeks after delivery
• Chills, headache, lack of appetite and generally feeling unwell
• The flow of blood and mucus from the uterus, called lochia, might increase or decrease, and can smell offensive

Abdominal pain

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms following the birth of your baby it is vital you seek medical attention quickly. It may be just the flu, or something else completely unrelated to pregnancy, but if it is puerperal fever, antibiotic treatment needs to be started as soon as possible.

And baby too

A baby delivered by a mother with 'group B strep' is also at risk. It is the most common cause of life threatening infections in babies up to three months in the UK, infects 700 babies each year, of which 100 sadly die.

'In a small number it can cause infection in the baby,' says Dr Downey. Babies more at risk are those born prematurely, those where the membrane ruptured 18?24 hours before delivery, and those where the mother had a temperature during delivery.

For more information visit Group B Strep Support at www.gbss.org.uk