What is a key risk factor for developing endomyometritis?

A key risk factor for developing endomyometritis is cesarean delivery. Endomyometritis is an infection of the inner lining and muscle of the uterus, which can occur following childbirth. The risk of infection is significantly higher after cesarean deliveries compared to vaginal births due to several factors.

During a cesarean delivery, the uterus is surgically accessed, which can introduce bacteria into the normally sterile environment. Moreover, the surgical incision and manipulation during the procedure can disrupt normal tissue and increase the risk of infection. The operating environment, the presence of more extensive tissue injury, and factors related to the recovery process contribute to this elevated risk of endomyometritis.

While other factors such as advanced maternal age and multiple gestation can contribute to overall maternal risks in pregnancy, they do not specifically increase the likelihood of endomyometritis as directly as cesarean delivery does. Smoking cessation does not have a direct relationship with the risk of this specific infection. Overall, cesarean delivery stands out as a significant risk factor for the development of endomyometritis due to the nature of the surgical procedure and the subsequent impact on uterine healing and infection risk.