Megan Politano

Postpartum Health Assessment

NURS 3731: Childbearing Family and Women’s Health Nursing

Trumbull Memorial Hospital

Youngstown State University

March 7th, 2019

 Evaluation and Indications of Student’s Professional Growth

(1) Summary and evaluation of total care implemented for mother and newborn

The care that was implemented throughout the clinical was started as soon as the day

begun. As soon as we got there, I changed into my scrubs and I was able to see the patient first

thing in the morning and soon after, the newborn was here. When we had arrived, she was

already in labor and received and an epidural. Unfortunately, I was unable to see the

administration of the epidural, but I was able to see it be removed. We were able to watch her

vaginal birth, but was unable to see the first stage of labor because she came in from a

spontaneous rupture of membranes during the night. Within 10 minutes of pushing, the baby was

born and about 5 minutes later, the placenta was delivered as well. I was able to examine the

placenta after it was delivered and I was very interesting because we learn various amounts of

information about it. During the time of labor, we had shown support for the laboring mother. It

was amazing and I felt so lucky to be able to experience this.

Once the baby was born, we had assessed the newborn and took vital signs every 15

minutes. I had been in the nursery and have done a newborn assessment before, but it was

educational to be able to see how the newborn was assessed as soon as he was born. The

newborn’s medication were administered and we also took his footprints after. We would check

on the mother during the time of taking vital signs every 15 minutes and she did not need much.

She was very cooperative and nice. I was lucky that she was my patient for the day.

Once the patient was moved to postpartum, I had performed my head-to-toe assessment. I

was unable to administer medication because Pitocin had already been running. During this time,

she had her family there, which was her boyfriend and their two daughters. They were such a

great family for allowing me and another student be able to experience this. I was able to see the
young mother and father interact as a family. My care started with supporting the mother in

labor, newborn vital signs and medication, and then ended with a head-to-toe. Overall, the total

care for this mother and newborn was very educational and very enjoyable.

(2) What you would do differently

If I could do anything differently, I would like to be involved more. I thought it was a

great experience to begin with, but I truly loved it and would like to be more hands on. I was not

the student to administered medication to the newborn this time because I was able to administer

it previously to a different newborn. I think this clinical is a great experience and each student

gets to be hands on at different times. I believe being able to experience a vaginal delivery was

amazing, along with various of all the other activities and skills we are able to perform and

experience. If I could contribute more to the patient, I could have gone in the room and checked

on her more often, but she was very content with her growing family that I did not want to

intrude.

(3) What you would do for this expanding family if you were the primary nurse from

admission to discharge?

If I was the primary nurse from admission to discharge, I would make sure the mother

was comfortable from the beginning of her stay to the very end. I would care for the mother,

newborn, and the family present. I would help transfer the mother from the delivery room to her

postpartum room. Then, I would ask if she would like to get cleaned up, rest, or eat while the

baby was in the nursery getting cleaned up and assessed. One of my top priorities would be to

answer any questions that the mother may have because I believe that education throughout this
process is very important. I would try to be as prompt as possible on medication passes. I would

also supply the mother with any needs that she, the newborn, or the family would need at this

time. After I knew the mother was taken care of for that time, I would next check and see if the

family had any questions or needed anything from me. I would assure that the mother had eaten,

voided, and eliminated throughout her visit. Also, I would keep up on assessing her by checking

her fundus, the lochia, and her pads to examine any signs of hemorrhaging. By time it would be

discharge, I hope that I could have done everything to make this visit and experience an

enjoyable one.

(4) Discharge planning

For my discharge planning, I would educate the patient on the importance of looking at

lochia, baby blue or postpartum depression signs and symptoms, and baby safety. I would

educate on the importance of looking at her pad and the amount of blood present. Education

about hemorrhaging would also include the changes of color and amount of blood. Also, she

should be informed about when to call her provider if any changes occur. Next, I would teach her

and her partner the signs and symptoms of postpartum depression and baby blues. Regarding

baby safety, both parents should be taught about proper bathing, car seat, circumcision care, and

SIDS. It is important to educate because, even though they are parents of two daughters, it is

beneficial if they hear this information again, or even for the first time if they were not properly

educated at previous visits.

(5) What you learned from this family and from this clinical experience

What I learned from this family and from this clinical experience was the importance of

childbirth and caring for the mother, newborn, and family. I cannot even put into words about

how amazing this clinical experience was. I was able to experience many things during this

clinical. I was able to see a vaginal birth, the epidural in the back, care for the mother and

immediately care for the newborn right after he was born, and much more. I thought being able

to be at the bedside throughout this whole experience was extremely beneficial. I believe that this

was tremendously beneficial because I was able to visualize many topics that we cover in lecture

and it was even better to be able to experience it in person. I truly feel so lucky to be able to have

a variety of experiences during the semester from this clinical.

 References

Lowdermilk, D., Perry, S., Cashion, K., & Alden, K. (2016). Maternity & Women’s Health

Care: 11th Edition (pp. 446 and 566). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier