Quick Facts
Post means "after," and partum means "pregnancy," so postpartum refers to the time period after you have a baby. It's usually considered the first 6 weeks.
Your uterus is your womb. It's the organ where a fetus grows before it's born.
What is a postpartum infection of the uterus?
What causes a postpartum uterus infection?
Bacteria that normally live in and around your vagina can infect your uterus after delivery.
You have a higher risk of postpartum infection of the uterus if you have:
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Many vaginal exams during labor
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A long labor
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A c-section rather than a vaginal delivery
Sometimes, doctors give you antibiotics before a c-section to help prevent infection.
