
Medication
Septic miscarriage. If you develop an infection in your uterus, it's known as a septic miscarriage. This can be a severe infection and demands immediate care. For a threatened miscarriage, your health care provider might recommend resting until the bleeding or pain subsides.
Procedures
Treatment of a miscarriage, once it has begun, depends on your symptoms. The primary goal of treatment during and after a miscarriage is to prevent hemorrhaging and infection. If vaginal bleeding fills more than one super sanitary pad in an hour for 2 hours in a row, you should contact your health care provider.
Self-care
This is considered the most critical step in the treatment of septic abortion. Fetal death is inevitable, so procedural intervention should not be withheld even if fetal heart activity is found. Clinical improvement after fluids, antibiotics, and curettage should be seen within 6 hours.
Nutrition
Reduce the risk of infection after a miscarriage by avoiding sexual intercourse, swimming pools, douching, and tampons for the amount of time recommended by your physician.
What is a septic miscarriage?
What is the treatment for a miscarriage?
What are the treatment options for septic abortion?
How can I reduce the risk of infection after a miscarriage?

How do you get septic miscarriage?
Septic abortion is serious uterine infection during or shortly before or after an abortion. Septic abortions usually result from induced abortions done by untrained practitioners using nonsterile techniques; they are much more common when induced abortion is illegal. Infection is less common after spontaneous abortion.
What are the signs and symptoms of septic abortion?
Symptoms of abortion with septic shockvery high or very low body temperature.heavy bleeding.severe pain.cool, pale arms and legs.feelings of confusion, restlessness, or fatigue.shaking chills.low blood pressure, especially when standing.inability to urinate.More items...•
Can you have a septic miscarriage?
If you develop an infection in your uterus, it's known as a septic miscarriage. This can be a severe infection and demands immediate care.
How do you treat an infection after a miscarriage?
A post-miscarriage infection can be dangerous but is generally easily treated with antibiotics....Be sure to contact your doctor if you think you have symptoms of an infection such as:Bleeding and cramping lasting longer than 2 weeks.Chills.Fever (temperature over 100.4 F)Foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
Is septic abortion life threatening?
This study showed septic abortion contributes more in life threatening complications in women, which usually followed induced and unsafe abortion. Overall abortion rates are similar in the developing and developed world but unsafe abortion is concentrated in developing countries.
What antibiotics are used to treat infection after abortion?
After in hospital treatment, the patients will be randomized to the traditional treatment (metronidazole and doxycycline) or to placebo until 10 days of treatment is completed.
Can sepsis be cured?
Because of problems with vital organs, people with severe sepsis are likely to be very ill and the condition can be fatal. However, sepsis is treatable if it is identified and treated quickly, and in most cases leads to a full recovery with no lasting problems.
What bacteria causes septic abortion?
Most bacteria causing septic abortion arise from the vaginal flora; however, a high rate of anaerobic bacteria have also been isolated. In fact, anaerobic Peptostreptococcus is the most common blood isolate from cases of septic abortion.
What are complications of septic abortion?
Acute complications of septic abortion are seen in advanced stages of the disease process and include the respiratory distress syndrome, septic shock, renal failure, abscess formation, septic pelvic vein thrombophlebitis and septic emboli, and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy; death may also occur.
Can amoxicillin treat septic abortion?
Thus, by clinical criteria, amoxicillin was highly effective in the treatment of the serious infections associated with septic abortion.
Can septic miscarriage cause infertility?
Septic shock may lead to kidney failure, bleeding diathesis, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Intestinal organs may also become infected, potentially causing scar tissue with chronic pain, intestinal blockage, and infertility.
What is the meaning of septic abortion?
Septic abortion refers to any abortion, spontaneous or induced, that is complicated by uterine infection, including endometritis. Septic abortion typically refers to pregnancies of less than 20 weeks gestation while those ≥20 weeks gestation with intrauterine infection are described as having intraamniotic infection.
What is a septic abortion?
A septic abortion is an infection of the placenta and fetus, or products of conception, of a pre-viable pregnancy. Infection is primarily in the placenta; however, potential spread to the surrounding uterus, pelvis, and distant organs is possible with prolonged or potent toxin-producing bacteria. Worldwide, the majority of septic abortions occur as a result of unsafe abortion techniques, which the World Health Organization defines as “ a procedure for terminating an unintended pregnancy either by individuals without the necessary skills or in an environment that does not conform to minimum medical standards, or both .” 1 Often, this patient population is reluctant to seek care in the traditional outpatient setting, making the emergency department a common place for initial presentation. If diagnosis and treatment are delayed, it can cause devastating consequences, including infertility, septic shock, or death.
What is the mainstay of sepsis treatment?
Like other forms of sepsis, resuscitation with intravenous fluids and antibiotics are the mainstay of treatment in the emergency department. Vasopressors and blood transfusions are used as needed. The antibiotic regimen selected should cover all potential aerobic and anaerobic pathogens (Table 2). Of note, clindamycin should be considered in ...
How long does it take for a septic abortion to improve?
Clinical improvement after fluids, antibiotics, and curettage should be seen within 6 hours.
Why do septic abortions occur?
Septic abortions, whether induced or spontaneous, occur because of improper, unsafe, or inadequate removal of products of conception. These products of conception become infected, bacteria infiltrate the placental tissue, and the infection spreads into the uterus via the maternal intervillous space, resulting in bacteremia 60% of the time.
How long does it take for a placenta to get infected?
If the infected placenta remains for a prolonged period of time, bacteria can invade the endometrium and myometrium in as little as 6-12 hours. 5 Gestational age also correlates with infection severity and mortality because as the placenta grows, so too does the volume of tissue that can become infected.
What is a septic miscarriage?
A septic miscarriage is an infection in and around the uterus that demands immediate attention. Here are the signs. Losing a baby is never easy. No matter how far along you were, losing a pregnancy leaves a woman with a sense of loss, but aside from the emotional turmoil, a miscarriage can also be physically taxing.
What is the treatment for sepsis?
2 It Is Treated With Antibiotics. Credit: Pexels. Women who have developed sepsis will immediately be administered intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics or antibiotics that have effects on different types of bacteria. Blood may also be cultured to identify the specific bacteria.
What happens if you leave sepsis untreated?
If left untreated the condition can lead to sepsis or blood poisonin g. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Infection, sepsis is your body’s extreme response to an infection. “Sepsis happens when an infection you already have triggers a chain reaction throughout your body.” If left untreated sepsis can rapidly lead to tissue damage, and then organ failure which can ultimately cause death. It is important to spot the signs of infection and get immediate medical treatment to stop the spread of the infection.
How long does a miscarriage last?
It can last for days or up to weeks.
How long did it take for a mom to die from water?
According to reports by BBC, the mom of two died 5 days after her water broke. In the hospital, she was told to wait 48 hours for the fetus to come out naturally. But instead of passing the fetus, she started shaking and shivering. She also had palpitations as the infection progressed until it claimed her life.
What is the procedure to remove the remaining tissue in the uterus?
Blood may also be cultured to identify the specific bacteria. After a scan to check the uterus, the physician will perform a dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure. This is done to remove the remaining tissue or products of conception in the uterus.
Can sepsis cause organ failure?
If left untreated sepsis can rapidly lead to tissue damage, and then organ failure which can ultimately cause death. It is important to spot the signs of infection and get immediate medical treatment to stop the spread of the infection.
How to treat a miscarriage?
Treatment of a miscarriage, once it starts, depends on your symptoms. The main goal of treatment during and after a miscarriage is to prevent heavy bleeding (they’ll call it hemorrhaging) and infection. If vaginal bleeding fills more than one super sanitary pad an hour for 2 hours, call your doctor. Heavier bleeding and cramping often indicate that ...
What is the first thing a doctor will try to do for a miscarriage?
What Are the Treatments for Miscarriage? The first thing your doctor will try to do is prevent you from having a miscarriage. If the doctor thinks you’re at risk for having one, they may tell you to cut back on activity, including sex, until the signs are gone.
What to do if your cervix doesn't come out?
If all of the tissue didn’t come out, a condition known as an incomplete miscarriage, you may need treatment to stop the bleeding and prevent infection. The most common procedure is a dilation and curettage (D&C), which involves widening your cervix and scraping the uterine lining, or endometrium. Sometimes the doctor uses suction along ...
What are the causes of miscarriages?
Chromosome problems are a common cause of miscarriages. You and your partner may get a karyotype test, which checks your chromosomes for anything unusual. Blood tests. The doctor may check levels of certain hormones. Blood tests can also reveal risk factors for miscarriage, like diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and blood clotting problems.
How long does it take to recover from a miscarriage?
Physical Recovery After Miscarriage. It usually doesn’t take long for your body to recover from a miscarriage. You may feel better within a few hours, or it could take a few weeks. Doctors recommend you don’t have sex or put anything in your vagina, like a tampon, for 2 weeks.
Can a miscarriage be a physical or emotional challenge?
Miscarriage can be a physical and emotional challenge for you and your partner. It can put a high amount of stress on your relationship. You may be tempted to blame yourself or your partner for the miscarriage. Don’t.
Can a miscarriage cause a fever?
Septic (infected) abortions are rare in cases of miscarriage, but a fever or chills could mean you have an infection. The doctor will make sure they remove any remaining pregnancy-related tissue, and you should take antibiotics to prevent serious illness. Continued. Tests After a Miscarriage.
What is a septic abortion?
Septic abortion is serious uterine infection during or shortly before or after an abortion. Septic abortions usually result from induced abortions done by untrained practitioners using nonsterile techniques; they are much more common when induced abortion is illegal. Infection is less common after spontaneous abortion.
Why do you need to do a septic ultrasound?
Ultrasonography should be done to check for retained products of conception as a possible cause. Uterine perforation should be suspected when women have unexplained severe abdominal pain and peritonitis.
How long does it take for a septic abortion to show symptoms?
Symptoms and signs of septic abortion typically appear within 24 to 48 hours after abortion and are similar to those of pelvic inflammatory disease (eg, chills, fever, vaginal discharge, often peritonitis) and often those of threatened or incomplete abortion (eg, vaginal bleeding, cervical dilation, passage of products of conception).
What is a septic abortion?
Septic abortion is serious uterine infection during or shortly before or after an abortion. Septic abortions usually result from induced abortions done by untrained practitioners using nonsterile techniques; they are much more common when induced abortion is illegal. Infection is less common after spontaneous abortion.
Why do you need to do a septic ultrasound?
Ultrasonography should be done to check for retained products of conception as a possible cause. Uterine perforation should be suspected when women have unexplained severe abdominal pain and peritonitis.
How long does it take for a septic abortion to show symptoms?
Symptoms and signs of septic abortion typically appear within 24 to 48 hours after abortion and are similar to those of pelvic inflammatory disease (eg, chills, fever, vaginal discharge, often peritonitis) and often those of threatened or incomplete abortion (eg, vaginal bleeding, cervical dilation, passage of products of conception).
How to reduce the risk of infection after a miscarriage?
Reduce the risk of infection after a miscarriage by avoiding sexual intercourse, swimming pools, douching, and tampons for the amount of time recommended by your physician .
What to do if you have a miscarriage?
If you have symptoms of an infection after a miscarriage, your doctor will perform an ultrasound to look for retained tissue in the uterus. An MRI or CT scan can also be used for this reason. Your doctor will also check your blood pressure (which drops during sepsis), your heart rate (which goes up), and your oxygen saturation levels ...
How to tell if you have a miscarriage?
Bacterial infections can spread and become septic quickly, so if you have any of the following symptoms after a miscarriage, contact your doctor immediately or go to the emergency room: 1 Chills 2 Fever over 100.4 degrees 3 Foul-smelling vaginal discharge 4 Pelvic pain 5 Prolonged bleeding and cramping (longer than about two weeks) 6 Tenderness in the uterus 7 Unusual drowsiness
What happens if you have a miscarriage?
For about 2% of women, the experience becomes even more distressing when tissue that was not fully expelled by the uterus becomes infected. 1 . In the worst cases, the infection will become septic, causing what is known as a septic miscarriage or septic abortion.
What to do if you have a septic infection?
If your infection has become septic, urgent treatment is necessary and you will be sent to the hospital and monitored closely. You'll be given intravenous fluids to increase blood volume and blood pressure as well as intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics, which kill a wide variety of bacteria .
What is the procedure to remove a cervix?
Treatment. If you have tissue remaining in your uterus, your physician will perform a surgical procedure called dilation and curettage (D&C) in which the cervix is dilated and the tissue removed with a tool called a curette (or in some cases, a vacuum-like device).
Can a miscarriage cause infection?
Infections are a risk after any miscarriage or non-therapeutic abortion (an abortion for non-medical reasons). Gynecological and obstetric surgeries can also put a woman at risk of infection. When tissue from pregnancy remains in the uterus after a miscarriage or abortion, it can serve as a breeding ground for bacteria, including: 2 .

Diagnosis
Clinical Trials
Coping and Support
Preparing For Your Appointment
Specialist to consult
Introduction
- Your health care provider might do a variety of tests: 1. Pelvic exam.Your health care provider might check to see if your cervix has begun to dilate. 2. Ultrasound.During an ultrasound, your health care provider will check for a fetal heartbeat and determine if the embryo is developing a…
Epidemiology
- Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
Pathophysiology
- Emotional healing can take much longer than physical healing. Miscarriage can be a heart-wrenching loss that others around you might not fully understand. Your emotions might range from anger and guilt to despair. Give yourself time to grieve the loss of your pregnancy, and seek help from loved ones. You'll likely never forget your hopes and dreams surrounding this pregnan…
Diagnosis and Testing
- If you have signs or symptoms of miscarriage, contact your health care provider right away. Depending on the circumstances, you might need immediate medical care. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your health care provider.
Management
Case Resolution
- Approximately 21.6 million unsafe abortions took place worldwide in 2008. Complications from these abortions accounted for 13% of all maternal deaths and were second only to maternal hemorrhage.2 In one case series, mortality specific to septic abortion was found to be around 19% overall, and in up to 55% of women who developed septic shock.3 Nearly all unsafe abortio…