POST PARTUM CARE

Definition:

 Post-partum care refers to the essential care given 6 weeks after childbirth. It is the interval that occurs immediately after the
delivery until the time the reproductive organs have returned to non-pregnant state (also called involution) and to their normal
functions.

Purpose:

 To ensure optimum health condition of the mother and baby by:

a. Describing the physiologic and psychological changes that occur in the post-partal woman.
b. Identify appropriate outcomes for post partal woman related to the changes during this period.
 To plan nursing care and render management of care.
 To give mother and family guidelines on breastfeeding, nutrition, hygiene, family planning and immunization.

Equipment:

 BP Apparatus
 Thermometer
 Sanitary napkins
 Lubricants
 Sterile gloves

Procedure and Rationale:

Immediate Post-Partum Care

1. Patient is placed in the dorsal recumbent position.

R: This is the best position of mother after maternal exhaustion from labor and delivery.
2. Assess vital signs.
R: Provide a baseline data for future comparison.
3. Assess the amount of lochia, odor if present, color of discharge and blood clots if present.
a. Count the number of pads in assessing the amount
b. Report to the physician if lochia varies from normal

Color of Lochia
 Rubra-dark red/1-4 days
 Serosa-brownish pinkish /4-7 days
 Alba-cream colored discharge/14 to puerperium
R: To assess if there is an abnormal bleeding. Heavy amount of lochia and blood clots are signs of complications. Foul odor of
discharge indicates infection needs prompt intervention.
4. Check the fundal height by:
a. Massaging gently the uterus and applying ice cap over the fundus.
R: To promote vasoconstriction and contraction of the uterus thereby preventing post-partum bleeding.
5. Conduct post-natal examination, urine and hemoglobin count.
R: To determine urinary tract infection and to rule out post-partum bleeding
6. Conduct physical examination.
R: To form a general impression of woman’s health and well-being.
7. Provide perineal care. Perineal care should be done as part of the daily bath and after each voiding or bowel movements. If a
woman is under bed rest, during the first hour after birth, you will need to provide perineal care as soon as she is ambulant
and can perform by herself. Procedure: refer to perineal care.
R: To prevent infection. It also promotes comfort and enhances cleanliness.
8. Provide good nutrition specially to lactating mothers and encourage her to drink fluids in the first twenty-four hours.
R: For promotion and maintenance of mother’s health and baby. Drinking of fluids is encouraged to be able to return to the
normal fluid balance.
9. Prevent/alleviate breast engorgement and promote breast hygiene by:
a. Application of warm compress or standing under a warm shower.
R: For treatment and relief of tenderness and soreness of primary breast engorgement.
b. Good support from bra offers a degree of relief.
R: It prevents unnecessary strain on the supporting muscles of the breast.
c. Washing her breast daily at the time of her bath or shower. Soap should be avoided.
R: Soap tends to dry and crack nipples.
10. Provision of post-natal exercise to mothers. Gradual resumption of normal household duties. Specific exercise for few
minutes each day is beneficial.
R: To bring the stretched abdominal and pelvic muscles back to normal as quickly as possible.
11. Discuss/plan with the client about family planning especially for those multiparous and guidelines for parenting role.
R: For proper child spacing in order to have time to recover her health and give more attention and bonding with the child.
12. Arrange/conduct post-partal home visit.
R: For follow up care.