How to Treat Chorioamnionitis

Chorioamnionitis is a potentially life-threatening infection that affects both the mother and baby, both before and after birth. Proper medical treatment is necessary, preferably before the baby is born to lessen the danger of secondary infections or other complications. If you have a fever or tachychardia (an excessively rapid heartbeat), it is important to have the doctor test for infection. Read on to learn how to treat chorioamnionitis.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Test the mother for abnormal colonization of bacteria in the urogenital tract in order to identify the infection. If bacterium is present the mother must be prescribed antibiotics, which are usually taken intravenously. Organisms that are normally present in the mother tend to be responsible for this sickness; these include E.Coli and group B Streptococcus.
2. Perform an amniocentesis to test the amniotic fluid for presence of bacteria. If the amniotic sac is ruptured and contains the bacteria the mother may be infected through her bloodstream. It may also permit the bacteria to infect the uterus. If bacteria is present in the amniotic fluid the baby most likely is given penicillin.
3. Hasten the delivery if possible to diminish the chance of further complications or if the life of either the baby or mother is in danger. To decrease chance of infection an amnioinfusion may be performed during labor if the membrane tissue ruptured over six hours before.
4. Keep the mother on an IV line of antibiotics and fluids for several days. She should be kept under close observation, and any infected wounds need to be drained. Both the mother and baby should be kept on antibiotics until they leave the hospital.
5. Return for exams regularly after leaving the hospital because of the danger of complications. The baby should be monitored also; the mortality rate is high for babies who have experienced early-onset of infection and may need further treatment. Males have a higher risk factor for chorioamnionitis.