Whay are the phases of Puerperium?

Phases of the Puerperium

1. Taking In:

 Review pregnancy and labor and birth

 Time of reflection
 Usually 2-3 days
 Woman is passive (also known as narcissist)
 Dependence: let the nurse decides for the woman
 Due to physical discomfort
 Talk about the pregnancy
 Holds child with sense of wonder
 Encourage her to talk is she is not talking

2. Taking Hold

 Initiate action
 Begins to take a strong interest in caring for her child
 Do all the things in taking care of her baby
 Praise for things she done well

3. Letting Go

 Redefines her new role

 Gives up the fantasized image of her child
 Accepted that she need to take care of her child already

Postpartal Blues

 Feeling of overwhelming sadness

 1-10 days after birth
 Signs of tearfulness, feeling of inadequacy, sleep disturbance, anorexia, stress of life changes
 Provide support and empathy, offer compassion and understanding

Postpartal Depression
 Anxiety, feeling of loss, sadness
 1-3 days after birth
 History of previous depression, hormonal response
 Lack of social support
 (Nurse must provide counselling and drug therapy or refer for counseling)