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Obstetrical#postpartum#antibiotics#hemorrhage#infectionPGY 1/2/3/4

Postpartum Antibiotics by Indication

Specific abx regimens for manual extraction, MVA/D&C, Bakri, OASIS, IAI, and endometritis (Epic dot phrase: .abxld).

Source: PGY-1 Resident Handbook 2026-2027

Manual extraction of the placenta (placement of provider’s hand into the uterus to remove the placenta or portions — does NOT include a single bimanual exam or “sweep” of clots ×1):

  • No abx for bimanual exam or “sweep.”
  • True manual extraction or extraction of retained placenta → metronidazole 500 mg IV × 1.
  • If has NOT gotten abx for GBS → add Ampicillin 2 g IV × 1 in addition to metronidazole.

PP MVA / D+C (instrumentation of the uterus after delivery using metal curette or MVA device):

  • Metronidazole 500 mg IV × 1.
  • If has NOT received abx for GBS → add Ampicillin 2 g IV × 1.

Bakri balloon / intrauterine balloon:

  • Metronidazole 500 mg IV × 1.
  • If has NOT received abx for GBS → add Ampicillin 2 g IV × 1.

OASIS:

  • Single dose of 2nd-generation cephalosporin (what was used in the only RCT).

Intraamniotic infection (IAI):

  • Ceftriaxone 2 g IV q24h + Flagyl 500 mg IV q8h.
  • Vaginal delivery: no further abx needed.
  • CS — before incision: add Ancef 2 g + azithromycin 500 mg.
  • Postpartum: 1 further dose of Amp 2 g IV + 1 dose of Flagyl 500 mg IV.
  • Fever within 1 hour of delivery is likely IAI (not “new endometritis”) → single dose of ceftriaxone/flagyl if SVD, or single dose of amp/gent/flagyl if CS.

Endometritis (NEW uterine infection >1 hour after delivery, OR persistent fevers >2 hours postpartum with IAI dx):

  • Ceftriaxone 2 g IV q24h + Flagyl 500 mg IV q8h — until afebrile for 24 hours, then d/c all antibiotics.
  • If continued fevers → add Ampicillin 2 g IV q6h.

Referenced by handoffs