{
  "id": 9435264,
  "title": "I Thought I Just Had a UTI After Giving Birth, but the Truth Was Terrifying",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/i-thought-i-just-had-a-uti-after-giving-birth-but-the-truth-was",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-23T23:14:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/i-thought-i-just-had-a-uti-after-giving-birth-but-the-truth-was-terrifying-12454557"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In July 2024, the author, a recently single woman expecting her first child, thought she was facing the biggest challenge of her life. However, she had no idea that her postpartum journey would take a terrifying turn. After welcoming her son, she noticed unusual changes such as frequent urination, mild back pain, and a persistent fever. Initially, she attributed these symptoms to postpartum recovery and her history of endometriosis. Despite breastfeeding, she assumed her body was simply adjusting. It wasn't until early February 2025 that her condition worsened drastically. She experienced a burning sensation when urinating and developed a fever. Concerned, she sought medical attention and received a UTI medication from a pharmacy, but the pharmacist required a few additional questions before dispensing the medication. The following day, the author visited a doctor who performed a urine test and ordered a CT scan. The results revealed a five-centimeter mass on her ovary, and she was promptly transferred to an emergency department. After eight hours of waiting in the waiting room with her 7-month-old son, she learned that she had an ovarian abscess. She was prescribed intravenous antibiotics with the expectation that she would feel better within two weeks. While the UTI symptoms did resolve, she continued to experience lethargy, shortness of breath, and the formation of a new lump in her abdomen. As a result, she underwent another series of tests and appointments, ultimately leading to a diagnosis of ovarian clear cell carcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of ovarian cancer. The news left the author feeling overwhelmed with grief and fear about the future, especially considering her family's history of cancer. Despite the emotional turmoil, she underwent a total hysterectomy in January 2026, followed by four rounds of chemotherapy. The author expressed her gratitude for the support she received from medical professionals and her determination to face the challenges ahead, despite the significant impact on her life and her decision to forgo future fertility options.",
  "summary": "At 33 with one baby, I can't explain how crushed I was to completely lose my chance to have more children.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}