Your body after baby

• Lots of things happen to your body right after giving birth.
• Some body changes are painless, others are uncomfortable.
• Stress and fatigue can leave you feeling lots of emotions.

What is endometritis?

Endometritis is infection of the endometrium, the lining of the uterus (womb). Bacteria that cause endometritis grow in the uterus lining, at the spot where the placenta breaks away after birth. The placenta grows in your uterus and supplies your baby with food and oxygen through the umbilical cord.

Endometritis can spread through the uterus. Sometimes it reaches blood vessels in the ovaries and pelvis.

Endometritis usually happens 2 to 3 days after birth. If the infection isn’t treated, it can cause more serious health problems, like infertility.

Signs of endometritis include:

• Abnormal or vaginal discharge that smells bad
• Backache
• Chills
• Fever
• General discomfort
• Headache
• Tenderness or pain in your lower belly

Call your health care provider if you have any of these signs.

If your health provider finds that you have endometritis, antibiotics (medicines that kill infection caused by bacteria) can help clear up most cases.