Study Guide For Postpartal Care-Module 7

STUDY GUIDE FOR POSTPARTAL CARE- MODULE 7
Postpartum Care- By Marianne Belleza, R.N. -
After the very exhausting phase of giving birth, the newborn is not the only one who needs to be taken
care of. It is also essential to make sure that the woman is in a stable condition because the immediate
postpartum is a critical stage for both the woman and her baby.
 Care within the First 24 Hours

 Care in Preparation for Discharge
 Care after Discharge
Care within the First 24 Hours

Providing nursing care to a postpartum woman during the first 24 hours entails the following:
 Assess the woman’s family profile to determine the impact that the newborn would give to the
family and to the woman.
 Assess the woman’s pregnancy history, especially if the pregnancy was planned or unplanned as
it will determine the ability of the woman to bond with the newborn.
 Assess the labor and birth history such as the length of labor and if any analgesia or anesthesia
was used to determine any necessary procedures to be done.
 Determine the infant’s data and profile to help with planning the care of the newborn and
promote bonding between the parents.
 The woman would also need a postpartum course such as her activity level after birth, any
difficulties or pain felt, and if she is successful with infant feeding to determine any need for
anticipatory guidance in home care.
 Assess any laboratory data of the woman to be certain that she is recovering well and if any
procedures or additional diagnostic tests need to be performed.
 Assess the woman’s general appearance because it is a reflection of how well the woman is
moving into the taking hold phase of recovery.
 Assure the woman that losing a quantity of her hair is not a sign of illness but because she is
returning to her nonpregnant state, as hair grows rapidly during pregnancy because of increased
metabolism.
 Assess for facial edema, especially for a woman with pregnancy-induced hypertension.
 Advise the woman to purchase a nursing bra that is one to two sizes larger than her pregnancy
size to allow for increase.
 Assess the woman’s breast for any cracks or fissures, and avoid squeezing the nipple. Also,
assess for signs of mastitis such as inflammation of a certain part of the breast.
 Assess the location, consistency, and height of the fundus through palpation.
 If the uterus is not firm upon palpation, massage it gently. Placing the infant on the mother’s
breast also aids in stimulating contractions.
 Lochia is expected in a postpartum woman for 2 to 6 weeks, so assessment of its characteristics
is necessary to determine if it is the normal lochia or not.
 Observe the perineum for ecchymosis, hematoma. Edema or any drainage and bleeding from
the stitches.
Care in Preparation for Discharge

 Before the woman is discharged, she must be educated properly regarding the care of the
newborn and herself at home.
 Assess first the ability of the mother to absorb new instructions and to listen.
 Conducting group classes regarding newborn care could greatly help mothers learn not only
what the instructors teach but also from the experiences that some mothers could share to the
group.
 It is also recommended for fathers to attend such classes so the mother would have someone
she can rely on with the newborn care.
 Individual instruction is also sought after postpartum, as the family will need to know how to
care for the woman and the newborn after discharge.
 Teaching should not always be formal; it may come in the form of comments during classes or
procedures.
 Instruct the woman to avoid lifting heavy objects for the first three weeks after birth.
 Advise the woman to allot a rest period every day, or to rest and sleep while her newborn is also
asleep so she can regain her energy.
 Be certain that the woman is aware that she must return to the healthcare facility after 4 to 6
weeks for examination and that she must arrange an appointment for her baby to be examined
by a pediatrician at 2 to 4 weeks of age.
 Make sure that the woman and the family understood the discharge instructions amidst all the
frenzy of the new baby; review instructions with parents before they leave.
 Calling or visiting 24 hours after discharge is the best way to evaluate whether the family has
been able to grasp all instructions and integrate the newborn into the family.
Care after Discharge

 Discharge from the healthcare facility usually occurs after 2 to 3 days after birth.
 The woman can rest better at home and may eat better if she has cultural preferences regarding
food.
 The newborn can also be exposed earlier to the routines of the family, and make it easier for her
to adjust to extrauterine environment.
 A home visit after the discharge is usually recommended to check on how the family is doing
now that they have a newborn in the house.
 High-risk newborns, newborns born to adolescent mothers, and newborns with mothers who
have abused drugs during pregnancy need to have a specially planned discharge and home visit.
 Pregnancy history is assessed during the postpartum visit and if there are any difficulty with the
bonding between the mother and the baby, and allow the woman to relate her labor and birth
experiences.
 Assess the newborn history and if there are any concerns about the newborn that the woman
has noticed.
 Assess the woman’s future plans, whether she is going back to work outside home and if she
had already arranged the care of her newborn while she is away.
 Conduct a family assessment and ask if other members of the family are adapting well with a
newborn in the house.
 Examine both the mother and the newborn physically to note any signs of postpartum
complications or defects.
 Remind the mother about the health maintenance visit of the newborn once she reaches 2 to 4
weeks old, and her return checkup 4 to 6 weeks after birth.

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STUDY GUIDE FOR POSTPARTAL CARE- MODULE 7

Postpartum Care- By Marianne Belleza, R.N. -

 Care within the First 24 Hours

Care within the First 24 Hours

Care in Preparation for Discharge

Care after Discharge

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