Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
Hostname: page-component-74656f9884-rngvg Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-11-05T00:40:07.027Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Chapter 6 - Maternal sepsis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 October 2026

Katherine Lattey
Affiliation:
PROMPT Maternity Foundation
Chloë de Souza
Affiliation:
PROMPT Maternity Foundation
Cathy Winter
Affiliation:
PROMPT Maternity Foundation
Siân Harrington
Affiliation:
PROMPT Maternity Foundation
Neil Muchatuta
Affiliation:
PROMPT Maternity Foundation
Sharan Athwal
Affiliation:
PROMPT Maternity Foundation
Tim Draycott
Affiliation:
PROMPT Maternity Foundation
Get access

Summary

This chapter explores sepsis in the context of the pregnant, or postpartum, woman. Including national tools for the recognition, investigation and management of sepsis. Common causes of maternal sepsis are explored as well as considerations for the baby. Key learning points: Understand the difference between infection and sepsis. Perform a full set of observations, including respiratory rate and temperature, in any woman feeling unwell in pregnancy or the postpartum period. Highlight the use of early warning score charts, e.g. maternity early warning score (MEWS) or modified obstetric early warning score (MOEWS), to document observations and aid the early detection of sepsis. Involve senior clinicians and the multi-professional team early. Early recognition and treatment of sepsis and septic shock improves outcomes. Effective treatment with the Sepsis Six includes early administration of intravenous antibiotics and fluid therapy.

Information

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Book purchase

Temporarily unavailable

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure no-reply@cambridge.org is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×