In plain words
Antibiotic prophylaxis means antibiotics given before a procedure to prevent infection. For , a dose is usually given shortly before the incision. Its purpose is to lower the chance of infection in the uterus and the wound. It is a standard step, and it is different from treating an infection you already have. Some mothers receive an added antibiotic if they are in labor or their water has broken. Your team will explain what they give and why. If you have fever, chills, pain, redness, or drainage after birth, call your provider the same day.
The deeper version
Antibiotic prophylaxis before incision is recommended in ACOG Practice Bulletin 199 (2018, Use of Prophylactic Antibiotics in Labor and Delivery). The C/SOAP trial (Tita and colleagues, 2016, New England Journal of Medicine) found that adding azithromycin to standard prophylaxis reduced and infectious morbidity in women in labor or with ruptured membranes. Chlorhexidine-alcohol skin preparation was supported by Tuuli and colleagues (2016, New England Journal of Medicine). The controversy concerns the duration of postoperative antibiotics and the role of added agents in women not in labor.
Where it comes up
What mothers here say about antibiotic prophylaxis
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Sources
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists — Practice Bulletin 199: Use of Prophylactic Antibiotics in Labor and Delivery (2018)
- Tita ATN and colleagues, New England Journal of Medicine — Adjunctive azithromycin prophylaxis for cesarean delivery, C/SOAP trial (2016)