Intra-Amniotic Infection

Amniotic fluid is the liquid that surrounds the fetus (baby) when you're pregnant. The amniotic fluid is held in the amniotic sac. The amniotic sac forms inside of your uterus (womb) when you're pregnant. It contains the fetus and amniotic fluid. When labor starts, your amniotic sac breaks open (ruptures) and amniotic fluid leaks out. This is called "having your water break."

An intra-amniotic infection is an infection of the amniotic fluid or sac. It happens when bacteria (germs) from your vagina (birth canal) get into your uterus. The infection can harm your baby. It can also cause serious problems for you.

• Bacteria can enter your uterus more easily after your water breaks

• You're more likely to get an infection if you have certain bacteria in your vagina, such as streptococci (strep)

• The more time that passes between when your water breaks and when you deliver, the greater the chance of infection

• To avoid this complication, doctors try to deliver babies within 24 hours of the water breaking

You may not have any symptoms or you may have:

• Fever

• Lower belly pain

• Bad-smelling discharge from your vagina

• A fast heart rate in you or your baby

For your baby, an intra-amniotic infection can increase the risk of these problems:

• Early delivery

• Too little oxygen in your baby's blood around the time of delivery

• Infections, such as a bloodstream infection

• Seizures (sudden, jerking motions) 

• Cerebral palsy (brain damage that affects your baby's muscles)

• Death

For you, an intra-amniotic infection can increase the risk of these problems:

• A bloodstream infection, which can be fatal if not treated urgently

• Need for surgery to deliver your baby, called a cesarean section (C-section)

• Infection of incisions (cuts made by the doctors) during delivery

• Bleeding after delivery

• A collection of pus (abscess) around your uterus

• Blood clots in your legs

• Doctors can usually tell if you have intra-amniotic infection by doing a physical exam

• If your doctor thinks you have an intra-amniotic infection, you will have blood tests

• If your water has broken very early or if you’re in labor before 37 weeks of pregnancy, doctors may also test a sample of your amniotic fluid

To treat an intra-amniotic infection, doctors will:

• Give you IV antibiotics (directly into your vein)

• Deliver your baby as soon as possible

There isn’t much you can do to prevent an intra-amniotic infection, but doctors can do a couple things:

• If your water breaks very early, doctors will avoid giving you pelvic exams except when absolutely necessary so as not to get bacteria from the outside into your vagina

• Doctors may also give you antibiotics, either by mouth or through a vein