But if you haven't yet delivered, a sustained elevated body temperature can be risky for your baby and could signal an infection, so your medical team will monitor you closely. In some cases, an epidural can actually cause a fever. Let your healthcare provider know any time you're experiencing chills during or after labor – especially those that feel achy to the bone, similar to the flu or a fever.Ī slight fever in the first 24 hours after birth is relatively common and usually nothing to worry about. When to call your doctor about postpartum chills Once the postpartum chills fade, you'll be better able to focus on the more pleasant (or at least expected) parts of the postpartum experience, such as starting breastfeeding, skin-to-skin contact, and bonding with your baby. If shaking is very uncomfortable, don't hesitate to hand your baby off to your partner or hospital staff for a few minutes. Doing so could potentially tear the incision. Try not to strain your body against the shivers, especially if you've had a c-section. Because shivering can cause oxygen loss, you might be given an oxygen mask if you're experiencing severe shakes. Drinking a warm beverage as soon as you feel ready may also help. Nurses will give you warm blankets and monitor you to make sure all is going as expected. Shaking during labor and after delivery isn't pleasant and may even feel a bit scary, but try not to worry: The hospital staff is very familiar with this symptom. Prior to the start of surgery, the operating room staff can place a heated blanket over your shoulders and chest, away from the sterile area. If your c-section is scheduled, keep as comfortable and warm as possible before the procedure to head off potential shivers and shakes after. If you're having a c-section, your doctor may give you medication that helps prevent shivering during and after surgery. While there's no way to prevent postpartum chills, you can prepare by packing warm clothing in your hospital bag to keep your body more comfortable during the hours you'll spend in a chilly environment. It's rare for shaking and shivering during or after labor to last longer than an hour, no matter how you delivered. Most postpartum chills, including those linked to an epidural or a c-section, go away on their own within 20 to 30 minutes. Receiving a shot of cold epidural medication and other fluids during labor can further increase heat loss. Greater blood flow to your skin increases heat loss. Pain-relieving drugs, in particular the epidural, can affect your body's ability to control your core body temperature by opening up blood vessels on the skin. Simply spending a long time in a chilly hospital environment can impact your body's ability to regulate your temperature. Your body undergoes big hormonal changes when you go into labor that may decrease your core temperature, leading to chills. While experts aren't sure exactly what causes postpartum chills, there are several theories: Research suggests that about 20 percent of women who give birth vaginally and don't receive pain medication have postpartum chills around the time of birth, versus about half of women who receive an epidural or have a c-section. You may experience postpartum chills if you've had an unmedicated vaginal birth, although it's more likely to happen if you've had a c-section or if you've received pain medication during labor, especially an epidural.
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