POSTPARTUM VISIT BY HEALTHCARE WORKERS

DEFINITION
Postpartum check-up is a medical check-up you get after having a baby to
make sure you’re recovering well from labour and birth. Postpartum care is
important because new moms are at risk of serious and sometimes life
threatening health complications

PURPOSE
To Maintain and promote the health of the women and her baby and to
foster an environment that offers help and support to the extended family and
community for a wide range related health and social needs

2 COMMON CHANGES IN FIRST 6 WEEKS

The changes in your body may include sore muscles and bleeding
Contractions called after pains shrink the uterus for several days after childbirth
shrinking of the uterus to its pre pregnancy size may take 6 to 8 weeks.
Sore muscles (especially in the arms, neck or jaw are common after childbirth)

POSTPARTUM PERIOD
The postpartum period is commonly defined as the six weeks after child
birth. This is a very important time for both you and your new born baby as you
adjust to each other and your expanded family.

FREQUENCY OF POSTNATAL CARE

1. Day 1
2. Day 2
3. Day 3
4. Day 4
5. Day 6
6. Day 10
7. Day 20
POST NATAL EXAMINATION

Soon after delivery, the health check-ups must be frequent i. e. twice a

day during the first 3 days, and subsequently once a day till the umbilical cord
drops off. At each of these examination, the FHW checks temp, pulse, and
respirations, examine the breast, check the progress of normal involution of
uterus, examine lochia for any abnormality, checks urine and bowel and advises
perineal toilet including Care of perineal stiches.

At the end of six weeks, an examination is necessary to check involution

of uterus which should be complete by then. Further visit should be done once a
month during first six months. And thereafter once in two or three months till
the end of first year. In rural areas only post-natal care is possible. Efforts
should be made by FHW to give at least 3-6 post-natal visits. Post-natal
examinations offers opportunity to detect and correct these defects.. Anaemia,
nutrition, and postnatal exercises.
PSYCHOLOGICAL
One of the psychological problem is fear which is generally borne of
ignorance. Other problems are timidity and insecurity regarding baby. If a
women is to endure cheerfully the emotional stress of child birth, she requires
the support and companionship of husband. Fear and insecurity may be
eliminated by proper prr natal instruction.

SOCIAL
The really important thing is to nurture and raise the child in a wholesome
family atmosphere.

PLACES FOR POST NATAL CARE

HOSPITAL

POSTNANTAL
MATERNITY CLINIC
CARE
HOME

HOME
EVERY VISIT- MOTHER

 Health and well-being

 Symptoms of abnormal lochia,
 Chest pain.
 Difficulty in breathing
 Redness and inflammation of lower limbs
 Calf swelling and tenderness

EVERY VISIT MOTHER

Examination of

 Vital signs
 Breast
 Abdomen
 Perineum

EVERY VISIT
Ask Mother about Baby:

 Health and well-being

 Feeding
 Bowel opening
 Passed urine
 Other concerns.

NUTRITION –MOTHER
 Eat a healthy
 Balanced diet
 Vitamins
 Minerals
 Plan simple and healthy meals that include choices from all of the
recommended groups from the food pyramid.
RESUMPTION OF SEXUAL ACTIVITY

Mother and her partner should decide together

Sexual intercourse may be resumed after mother’s vaginal bleeding has stopped
and stiches are healed (usually within 4-6 weeks)
Be aware that sex first few times following birth may be painful- Advised for
lubricants and comfortable positioning.

COUNCELLING