How to Say It: Cho-ri-O-am-NI-o-ni-tis
Chorioamnionitis is an infection in the membranes and amniotic fluid that surrounds and protects the fetus.
Delivery will need to be done right away to protect the mother and baby from harm.
An Infection in the UterusCopyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc. |
This problem is more common in young mothers. The risk is also higher in those who:
Some people may not have problems. Those who do may have:
The infection may be diagnosed based on the symptoms.
Testing may not be done when the infection is found during labor. However, the diagnosis may be confirmed with:
The baby will need to be delivered right away. A cesarean section may be needed if:
IV antibiotics are given to fight the infection. A baby with the infection will also need them.
The doctor will avoid vaginal exams during later stages of pregnancy or after a person's water breaks. Some people may be given antibiotics.
American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
http://www.acog.org
American Pregnancy Association
https://americanpregnancy.org
Canadian Women's Health Network
http://www.cwhn.ca
Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
https://sogc.org
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Committee on Obstetric Practice. Committee Opinion No. 712: Intrapartum Management of Intraamniotic Infection. Obstet Gynecol. 2017 Aug;130(2):e95-e101.
Chorioamnionitis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/chorioamnionitis. Accessed August 24, 2021.
Committee on Practice Bulletins—Obstetrics. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 199: use of prophylactic antibiotics in labor and delivery. Obstet Gynecol. 2018;132(3):e103-e119.
Last reviewed July 2021 by EBSCO Medical Review Board
Beverly Siegal, MD, FACOG
Last Updated: 8/24/2021