Pregnancy & Childbirth

Although pregnancy is the same for people worldwide, their safety varies greatly depending on where they live and the type of medical care they receive, if any.

According to the World Health Organization, maternal sepsis refers to sepsis that results “from infection during pregnancy, childbirth, post-abortion, or the postpartum period.” Sepsis, which was often called blood poisoning, is the body’s overwhelming and life-threatening response to infection. Like strokes or heart attacks, sepsis is a medical emergency that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment. Sepsis kills and disables millions, more than breast cancer, lung cancer, and stroke combined.

Sepsis and septic shock can result from an infection anywhere in the body, such as pneumonia, influenza, or urinary tract infections. Worldwide, one-third of people who develop sepsis die. Many who do survive are left with life-changing effects, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic pain and fatigue, organ dysfunction (organs don’t work properly), and/or amputations.

Maternal and postpartum sepsis are more common in the developing countries, but they also do strike people in wealthier countries, including in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sepsis is the second leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths. Between 2014 and 2017 infection or sepsis caused 12.7% of pregnancy-related deaths in the United States. Pregnancy-associated sepsis requires early detection, accurate diagnosis, and aggressive treatment. In the United Kingdom, a 2019 study found that sepsis accounted for as many as 25% of all maternal deaths in that country.

 

How does sepsis occur in pregnancy and after childbirth?

Sepsis can occur because of an infection related to the pregnancy or one that is totally unrelated, such as pneumonia or a urinary tract infection (UTI). A recent analysis of delivery hospitalizations and postpartum readmissions in the U.S. found that 23% of in-hospital deaths were related to sepsis. The most common infections that triggered maternal sepsis were caused by bacteria such as E. coli, but those who are pregnant are also at higher risk of complications from COVID-19.

Sepsis can develop as the result of many complications. Here are just a few:

  • Miscarriages (spontaneous abortions) or induced abortions:Infections are a risk after any miscarriage or abortion. Non-sterile abortions, those that may be done outside of a healthcare facility, are a particular risk. Anyone who has had one should watch for signs and symptoms of an infection (lasting or increasing pain, discolored or odorous (smelly) discharge, abdominal tenderness, high temperature, fatigue, feeling unwell).
  • Cesarean sections: Sepsis can develop after any type of surgery. Cesarean sections are major abdominal surgeries with all the associated risks. See Sepsis and Surgery for more information.
  • Prolonged or obstructed labor: An unusually long time of labor or labor that stops progressing.
  • Ruptured membranes: The longer the period between the “water breaking” and the baby’s birth, the higher the chance of an infection.
  • Infection following vaginal delivery: Although not common in the developed world among those who give birth in healthcare facilities, infections are very common in the developing world.
  • Mastitis: Infection in the breasts can trigger sepsis.
  • Viral or bacterial illnesses: Any illness that raises the risk of sepsis in the general population will do so during pregnancy as well.

Who is at risk?

Anyone who is pregnant, has miscarried or aborted, or who has delivered a child is at risk of developing maternal or postpartum sepsis. However, some do have a higher risk others. Risk factors associated with developing maternal sepsis include not having given birth before (medically called nulliparity), and having public or no health insurance. Other childbirth-related risk factors include having a C-section, using assisted reproductive technologies in order to become pregnant, and having multiple births (twins, triplets, or more).

Those who may be more prone to getting an infection, which can lead to sepsis, are people:

  • With diabetes
  • Who undergo invasive procedures to help them get pregnant
  • Who undergo invasive tests during pregnancy

Being Black (due to racial disparities in US healthcare) also increases the risk of sepsis during pregnancy.

Are vaccines during pregnancy a good idea?

The CDC recommends that people be up-to-date on their vaccines before becoming pregnant, if possible. Speak with your doctor about your immunity to the so-called childhood diseases and if you need booster shots. People are also encouraged to get the seasonal flu vaccine even when pregnant. If you travel, you may need vaccines specific to your destination. Learn more about vaccines at Prevention: Vaccines.

Is sepsis hard to detect during pregnancy or the postpartum period?

Diagnosing sepsis during pregnancy or after recently given birth can be challenging. Pregnancy and delivery cause many changes in the body, including a faster heart beat, changes in blood pressure, and faster breathing. Usually, these are signs that may alert a healthcare provider that there may be something wrong, such as an infection. Also, many people get chills and sweat heavily after giving birth. They may also have pain, or feel dizzy or light headed.

It also may be more difficult to diagnose infections during pregnancy and the postpartum period. For example, urinary tract infections usually cause a frequent need to urinate, but this can happen because of pregnancy alone. So if someone is going to the bathroom a lot, they may just chalk it up to being pregnant and not realize there may be an infection.

If you suspect sepsis, call 9-1-1 or go to a hospital and tell your medical professional, “I AM CONCERNED ABOUT SEPSIS.” 

The information here is also available as a Sepsis Information Guide, which is a downloadable format for easier printing.

Would you like to share your story about sepsis or read about others who have had sepsis? Please visit Faces of Sepsis, where you will find hundreds of stories from survivors and tributes to those who died from sepsis.

Suggested Citation: Sepsis Alliance. Sepsis and Pregnancy & Childbirth. 2023. https://www.sepsis.org/sepsisand/pregnancy-childbirth/

Updated March 3, 2023.

Maternal Sepsis Week

Join Sepsis Alliance for Maternal Sepsis Week, the week of Mother’s Day, to raise awareness of maternal sepsis, honor survivors, and remember those who have passed.

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Resources

Sepsis: Pregnancy and Childbirth
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Amanda’s Story – Maternal Sepsis
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Kayleigh’s Story – Maternal Sepsis
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Maile’s Story – Maternal Sepsis
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SEPSIS “Pregnancy and Childbirth” – PSA (0:23)
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SEPSIS “Pregnancy and Childbirth” – PSA (0:23)

SEPSIS “Pregnancy and Childbirth” – Español PSA (0:55)
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SEPSIS “Pregnancy and Childbirth” – Español PSA (0:55)

Maternal Sepsis Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet
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Faces of Maternal Sepsis

Lizzy Ryan

In August 2022 aged 26 and 31 weeks pregnant I began to feel very unwell with excruciating pain in my upper abdomen and a temperature of 38.5 degrees celsius. I contacted the maternity hospital I had been attending and I was advised to go to their A&E. I was examined and sent to the antenatal ward for monitoring. I was transferred to the High Dependency Unit the next day and by then I had a temp of over 40 and needed to be transferred to another hospital to see a surgical team. (Sepsis and Pregnancy & Childbirth) When I arrived ... Read Full Story

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Heidi Lien

I contracted Covid-19 and I was 29 weeks pregnant. (Sepsis and COVID-19, Sepsis and Pregnancy & Childbirth) I had it pretty rough for two weeks and at 30 weeks pregnant I noticed decreased fetal movement and went to the hospital for monitoring. It was found that my son was no longer thriving in the womb due to placentitis of SARS COVID2, my placenta was abrupting and he needed to be delivered via emergency c-section within the hour. After he was born I was closed up and put in a room to recover before heading to a postpartum room. It was ... Read Full Story

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Michaela Porter

Thankfully I am able to share my story and hopefully bring some light to this and awareness. I was induced at 39 weeks and didn’t advance very far so they decided to preform a c section to get my baby out safely. (Sepsis and Pregnancy & Childbirth) I was doing great up until 24 hours after my surgery I had gotten up to go pee and came back and was shivering cold. I then felt my head and was super hot. I called my nurse to let her know that I thought I had a fever. She came in to ... Read Full Story

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Shelley P.

Almost 32 years ago, I suffered sepsis during the C-section birth of my son after a long labor. (Sepsis and Pregnancy & Childbirth) A midwife broke my water and labor was induced but I failed to dilate sufficiently. Infection set in, an OB was finally called in, and he thought there was fetal-pelvic disproportion as my son was a very big baby. I delivered him after 22 hours, began to be very nauseous, my blood pressure dropped, and due to it not being known if he was actually septic, he was whisked quickly to NICU. I was semi-conscious for several ... Read Full Story

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Donna Davies

On what I thought would be the happiest day of my life turned out to be the most scary experience I have ever been through, after a rather easy pregnancy followed by a very quick 4.5 hour labour ( although very painful) I gave birth to my first son in February 2021. All was well until I was discharged 5 hours later. (Sepsis and Pregnancy & Childbirth) I was sick outside the hospital and had a racing pulse and generally didn’t feel well…. thinking it was just the result of giving birth and taking home a newborn baby I thought ... Read Full Story

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Pregnancy & Childbirth

Although pregnancy is the same for people worldwide, their safety varies greatly depending on where they live and the type of medical care they receive, if any.

According to the World Health Organization, maternal sepsis refers to sepsis that results “from infection during pregnancy, childbirth, post-abortion, or the postpartum period.” Sepsis, which was often called blood poisoning, is the body’s overwhelming and life-threatening response to infection. Like strokes or heart attacks, sepsis is a medical emergency that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment. Sepsis kills and disables millions, more than breast cancer, lung cancer, and stroke combined.