A bladder infection (cystitis) is common after delivery of a baby. A kidney infection (pyelonephritis) can occur if bacteria spread from the bladder to the kidney after delivery.
Bladder and kidney infections may cause painful or frequent urination and sometimes fever.
To diagnose bladder and kidney infections, doctors examine and analyze a urine sample.
Typically, women are given an antibiotic intravenously for a kidney infection or by mouth for a bladder infection.
(See also Infections After Childbirth.)
The risk of developing a bladder infection is increased when a catheter is placed in the bladder to relieve a buildup of urine during and after labor, particularly if the catheter is left in place for a while.
Symptoms
Bladder and often kidney infections cause painful or frequent urination. Kidney and some bladder infections cause fever. Kidney infections may cause pain in the lower back or side and a general feeling of illness or discomfort.
Diagnosis
Testing a urine sample
The diagnosis of bladder and kidney infections is based on testing a urine sample. With kidney infections and some bladder infections, the sample may be cultured to identify the bacteria.
Treatment
Antibiotics
Typically, women are given an antibiotic by vein (intravenously) for a kidney infection or by mouth for a bladder infection.
If there is no evidence that the bladder infection has spread to the kidneys, antibiotics may be given for only a few days. If a kidney infection is suspected, antibiotics (such as ceftriaxone alone or ampicillin plus gentamicin) are given until the woman has had no fever for 48 hours. Often, antibiotics are then given by mouth for 7 to 14 days. After culture results are available, the antibiotic may be changed to one that is more effective against the bacteria present.
Drinking plenty of fluids helps keep the kidneys functioning well and flushes bacteria out of the urinary tract.
