Obstetrics - Postnatal Care

Postnatal Care

Postnatal care is care provided to the mother following parturition.

A woman in the Western world who is delivering in a hospital may leave the hospital as soon as she is medically stable and chooses to leave, which can be as early as a few hours postpartum, though the average for spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD) is 1–2 days, and the average caesarean section postnatal stay is 3–4 days.

During this time the mother is monitored for bleeding, bowel and bladder function, and baby care. The infant's health is also monitored.

Certain things must be kept in mind as the physician proceeds with the post-natal care.

1. General Condition of the patient.
2. Check for Vital Signs (Pulse, Blood Pressure, Temperature, Respiratory Rate, (Pain) at times)
3. Palor?
4. Edema?
5. Dehydration?
6. Fundus (height following parturition, and the feel of the fundus) (Per Abdominal Examination)
7. If an Episiotomy or a C-Section was performed, check for the dressing. Intact, pus, oozing, haematomas?
8. Lochia (colour, amount, odour)?
9. Bladder (keep the patient catheterized for 12 hours following local anaesthesia and 24–48 hours after general anaesthesia) ? (check for bladder function)
10. Bowel Movements?
11. More bowel movements?
12. Follow up with the neonate to check if they’re healthy.