Elevated leukocytes in the blood after childbirth is a very common problem. Such cases are often recorded in modern medical practice. It is only natural that new mothers are interested in how dangerous such a condition can be.
Why is there an increase in the number of white blood cells? What is the evidence of elevated white blood cells after childbirth? What symptoms should I look for? The answers to these questions are worth exploring.
Why are white blood cells needed? General description and main functions
White blood cells, called white bodies, represent a whole group of human blood cells. By the way, they are called white by chance - they do not have their own color.
The main function of these structures is protection. White blood cells are capable of movement, can penetrate into the intercellular space through the capillary wall. These cells absorb foreign particles (including pathogenic structures), neutralizing and digesting them.
Normally, the level of leukocytes in the blood of an adult woman ranges from 4-9 · 10 9 / L. If, after childbirth, this indicator changes, then this may indicate an inflammatory process.
Why is the white blood cell count elevated after childbirth? The list of physiological causes
Elevated leukocytes in the blood after childbirth do not always indicate the presence of some kind of pathology. The reasons can be quite natural, physiological in nature.
In order to bear and give birth to a child, the woman’s body adapts: changes in the hormonal background, an increase in blood volume, etc. are observed. Right before delivery, leukocytes begin to accumulate in the uterus, stimulating her muscle contraction and preventing the penetration of infection. That is why the number of white blood cells rises by about 20-30%.
Childbirth in one way or another is associated with tissue damage. That is why elevated white blood cells in the blood after childbirth (especially if the baby was born through cesarean section) are considered quite normal. This helps speed up the healing process of tissues, prevent their infection and the development of further complications. In most cases, the number of white blood cells in the mother's body returns to normal 3-6 days after the birth of the baby.
Elevated white blood cells after childbirth
The reasons for this phenomenon, as already mentioned, can be different. If changes in the blood formula are observed a week after the birth of the child, then this is no longer considered normal and requires additional diagnostic measures. Why are white blood cells after birth elevated? The reason in this case is the inflammatory process, the focus of which can be located in any part of the woman's body.
If the number of white blood cells exceeds 4-9 · 10 9 / l, then this may indicate the presence of problems such as:
- inflammation of the endometrium lining the uterine cavity (endometritis is considered a very common postpartum complication);
- mastitis (inflammation of the tissues of the mammary glands) is also a very common complication after childbirth;
- postpartum ulcers, developing in the presence of tears and cracks;
- lactostasis (stagnation of milk in the mammary glands leads to inflammation if it is not eliminated on time);
- bladder inflammation (cases of postpartum cystitis are often recorded in medical practice).
In the most severe cases, an increase in the level of white blood cells indicates the development of sepsis. This is a very serious, rapidly progressing disease, which often leads to death.
Risk factors
As you know, inflammation is the result of the activity of bacterial microorganisms. As a rule, these are opportunistic bacteria, in particular, staphylococci, streptococci, Escherichia coli, etc. They are always present in the body, but their reproduction processes are activated against the background of stress, which is the birth process, as well as when the immune system is weakened. Risk factors include:
- loss of blood, which, alas, is inevitable during childbirth;
- vitamin deficiencies;
- anemia (decrease in the number of red blood cells);
- disorders of blood coagulation processes (fraught with additional blood loss);
- the presence of residues of the membranes and / or placental tissue in the uterus;
- cracks in the nipple;
- surgical interventions during childbirth;
- severe pregnancy;
- labor process with complications;
- constant stress, overwork and lack of sleep also affect the hormonal background and the immune system, weakening the body.
What symptoms should I look for?
Many mothers face such a problem as elevated white blood cells in the blood after childbirth. Testimonials from doctors indicate that in most cases, such changes in the blood formula are associated with stagnation of milk or infection of gaps.
In itself, an increase in the number of white cells in the blood only indicates inflammation. But the accompanying symptoms can clarify the picture:
- The inflammatory process is inevitably accompanied by an increase in body temperature, sometimes up to 40 degrees or more.
- Perhaps the appearance of bloody, and sometimes purulent discharge from the vagina. Sometimes they go into complete bleeding.
- The presence of pain and burning during urination, as well as pulling pain in the lower back. All this is characteristic of various diseases of the organs of the excretory system (in particular, the bladder and kidneys).
- Perhaps the appearance of headaches, severe weakness, chills, body aches, nausea, and vomiting.
Having noticed such symptoms in yourself, you need to contact your gynecologist as soon as possible.
What to do with an increase in white blood cell count?
In no case should you ignore such a problem. If you notice the symptoms described above, then you should certainly consult a doctor. The success of therapy depends largely on how quickly the disease is diagnosed.
The treatment regimen depends on the variety and localization of the inflammatory process, the nature of the pathogen. Treatment almost always involves taking antibiotics. During laboratory tests, you can determine the sensitivity of the pathogen to a particular drug. In addition, patients are prescribed anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antihistamines, vitamins, and other drugs.