Management of the Puerperium

Management of the Puerperium

An important aspect of the midwife/nurse works whether in hospital or at home is her educational role. Advice the mother to care for her self and for her baby covering a wide range of subjects like hygiene nutrition, immunization, family planning, etc.

Admission to post natal ward

The mother and baby are usually transferred to the post natal word with in an hour or 2 after delivery. The midwife/nurse should well come the mother and help her to settle in the ward. She will observe her general condition, palpate the uterus to note whether it is contracted or not and observe the lochia.

Sleep and rest

The mother should have sufficient sleep and rest. Keep a quiet comfortable atmosphere with out disturbance. Inability to sleep must be regarded with concern and Doctor should be consulted. Hypnotics may be needed and it is given with out hesitation. Undue anxiety, sleepless ness and loss of appetite should be rewarded as serious. Rest is usually encouraged during the day preferably in prone position as this aids drainage from the uterus and vagina.

Ambulation: - mothers benefit a feeling of well being fromthis early activity and this reduces the incidence of thrombi embolic disorders.

Diet: - a good balanced diet should be taken as advised inpregnancy the woman’s appetite usually returns very quickly after labour is ended & has had some sleep. Protein foods are important particularly if she is breast feeding.

Excess fruit should be avoided as substances from this will pass to the baby in the milk & may cause diarrhea. The daily fluid intake should be from 2.5-3 liters of which at least 600ml should be milk.

postnatal exercises – Advantages

·                 Gives the women a sense of wellbeing ness

·                 Maintains good circulation, lessens possibility of venous thrombosis.

·                 Restores muscle tone of the abdominal wall & pelvic floor.

·                 Promotes for normal drainage of lochia

·                 Prevents hypostatic pneumonia

·                 Helps in emptying the bladder, bowels and uterus

·                 Permits her to enjoy a daily bath

·                 Enables her to take early care of her baby.

·                 Restores her body figure

The role of the nurse:- during this period now a days is largely for advice and educate the mother in the care of her baby and herself, to listen patiently to her fears and expression, to answer her questions and through out to given her encouragement and reassurance. This is an exchanging & highly responsible task for a competent and thoughtful midwife/nurse.