All About Chorioamnionitis and “Intrauterine Infections”

Learning that you are pregnant can be incredibly exciting. It can also be scary for many expectant parents. There are many potential complications associated with pregnancy, labour, and delivery, some of which can affect the health of both mother and baby.

One such complication is a serious infection that is caused by bacteria entering the tissues, membranes, or amniotic fluid surrounding a fetus. Chorioamnionitis can cause life-threatening complications for mother and baby if not treated promptly. In some cases, poor prenatal care can cause chorioamnionitis and other intrauterine infections.

The Birth Injury Lawyers Alliance (BILA) is committed to helping families who have suffered losses due to medical negligence. We will advocate for your family to get the compensation that you deserve for injuries that you and/or your child suffer during pregnancy, labour and delivery, or in the months following birth. Reach out today to schedule a free consultation with a birth injury lawyer in your province.

What Is Chorioamnionitis?

Chorioamnionitis is an infection that can affect a person during pregnancy. Also known as an intra-amniotic infection or intrauterine infection, it occurs when bacteria enter the tissues or membranes that surround the fetus. Specifically, it can happen when bacteria enter the:

• Chorion (outer membrane)
• Amnion (inner membrane)
• Placenta
• Amniotic fluid

This condition can be incredibly serious and affects approximately 10% of all women during labour, with a higher rate in preterm deliveries.

Chorioamnionitis is caused by bacteria, most often E. coli and group B strep. The infection may start in a mother’s vagina, anus, or rectum and then spread to the uterus. It can also begin in the uterus itself if the amniotic sac tears or ruptures. The bacteria can then infect the placenta and/or fetus. An infection can also spread after a procedure such as amniocentesis or from too many vaginal exams after a mother’s water breaks.

Symptoms of Intrauterine Infections

The symptoms of chorioamnionitis can vary based on the person. Many women who are later diagnosed with chorioamnionitis report some or all of the following symptoms:

• Fever
• Rapid maternal or fetal heart rate
• Vaginal discharge that has an unpleasant smell or unusual color
• Tender or painful uterus
• Sweating

Chorioamnionitis can affect both the mother and baby. For mothers, some potential complications include endometritis, infections in the pelvic area and/or abdomen, blood clots in the pelvis and/or lungs, and sepsis (blood infection). Any of these conditions can be life-threatening.

A fetus can also be particularly susceptible to the effects of an intrauterine infection. A baby may also develop sepsis. They may also develop meningitis (which affects the brain and spinal cord) and/or pneumonia. Left untreated, chorioamnionitis can also cause fetal brain damage and death.

Treatment of Chorioamnionitis

Chorioamnionitis is diagnosed after a physical exam and a discussion of the mother’s health history. A treating physician may order a blood or urine test to check for signs of infection (such as an elevated white blood cell count). They may also take a vaginal culture and/or a sample of amniotic fluid to check for bacteria. A doctor will also typically perform an ultrasound to check the health of the baby.

If chorioamnionitis is diagnosed, it is treated with antibiotics. In most cases, the antibiotics will be administered intravenously (through an IV).

In some cases, it may be necessary to schedule an early delivery to protect the health of the mother and baby. In fact, chorioamnionitis is a common cause of preterm labour and delivery. A premature birth is associated with additional complications, such as neurological injury.

Is Chorioamnionitis Preventable?

There are some situations that can create a higher risk for chorioamnionitis. This includes:

• Premature labour
• Water breaking more than 24 hours before delivery
• Frequent vaginal exams after water breaking
• Prolonged labour
• Vaginal and/or sexually transmitted infections
• Group B strep
• Internal fetal or uterine monitoring
• The use of epidural anesthesia during labour
• First pregnancy
• Mother uses alcohol or tobacco

Many of these risk factors are not preventable. However, there are steps that physicians can and should take to reduce the likelihood of chorioamnionitis if any of these factors are present.

This can include prescribing antibiotics if a mother’s water breaks early and limiting the number of vaginal exams performed after a mother’s water breaks. Doctors can also perform additional screenings, such as for group B strep, vaginal infections, and sexually transmitted infections.

Ultimately, while all cases of chorioamnionitis aren’t preventable, it may be a form of medical negligence if the condition is not properly diagnosed and treated. Because serious illness, injury, and/or death is a very real possibility with an intrauterine infection, doctors should carefully monitor both mother and fetus for potential signs of infection. They should also take action to prevent the infection from becoming worse once chorioamnionitis is diagnosed.

Get Help from an Experienced Birth Injury Lawyer

Chorioamnionitis is an incredibly serious condition. While it affects a relatively low percentage of all pregnant people, if you develop this intrauterine infection, it could put both your health and the health of your baby at risk. Proper diagnosis and treatment are critical to preventing these negative outcomes.

At the Birth Injury Lawyers Alliance, we advocate for families whose lives have been affected by medical negligence during pregnancy, labour and delivery, and in the initial weeks and months after childbirth. While not every birth injury is preventable, many can be avoided with proper medical care. For assistance with birth injuries related to chorioamnionitis or other types of birth injury claims, call BILA today at 1-800-300-BILA or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free initial consultation with a lawyer in your province.