Vienna General Hospital in 1784. Semmelweis worked at the maternity clinic. Copper engraving by Josef & Peter Schafer<unk> ly,<unk><unk>  was a devastating disease. It affected women within the first three days after childbirth and progressed rapidly, causing acute symptoms of<unk> e abdominal pain,<unk>  and debility. The most common infection causing<unk><unk>  is genital tract sepsis caused by contaminated medical equipment or unhygienic medical staff who contaminate the mother's genital tract during the delivery. Other types of infection that can lead to sepsis after childbirth include urinary tract infection, breast infection (mastitis) and respiratory tract infection (more common after anaesthesia due to lesions in the trachea).<unk><unk>  is now rare in the West due to improved hygiene during delivery, and the few infections that do occur are usually treatable with antibiotics.
Historical mortality rates of puerperal fever
Laboratory developed test
Estimated date of delivery
Maternal mortality ratio
Comparison of birth control methods
Simulated pregnancy
Emergency contraceptive availability by country
Abortion in East Timor