lOMoARcPSD|44532475
Unit 4—Postpartum/client health issues
o Characteristics and measurements of normal involution patterns
Should be at umbilicus within 24 hours.
Involution should occur at 1-2cm/day and should not be
palpable by 2 weeks postpartum
o Lochia
Timeline and Description for Each
Rubra – 1-3 days: Bright red
Serosa – 4-10 days: Pinkish/Brown
Alba – 10-14 days: Whitish-yellow
o Anatomic and physiologic patterns during the postpartum
recovery
o Normal vs abnormal vitals signs and lab values in postpartum
patient
o Components of the parenting process
Safety
Tasks and responsibilities
Attachment and bonding
Dimensions that influence attachment and bonding
Signs of successful bonding
Education
o Nursing care and interventions for the postpartum patient
o Psychosocial needs of the mother after birth
o Postpartum complications
Signs and symptoms of complications
Interventions for complications
o Discharge teaching and follow up care
o Feeding methods
Breast
Breast health
Breast assessment
Interventions for abnormal findings/difficulty feeding
o If engorged, hand express before latching
o Use warm compress and massage for clogged duct
Lactation support
How to breastfeed
Downloaded by madiba South Africa stuvia ()
, lOMoARcPSD|44532475
Things not to do/not recommended for the breast
feeding infant
o Do not offer pacifier until breastfeeding
established
Bottle feeding – Feed every 3-4 hours
Breast concerns for those bottle feeding
o Engorgement/Mastitis
o Care of the diabetic mother during the postpartum period
Expected findings – Decreased Blood Glucose
Interventions – Frequent Blood Sugar Checks
o Infections in postpartum woman
Signs of infections – Temp > 100.4, WBC > 30,000, HR > 100
Risk factors for infection
o Rhogam – Given 72hrs postpartum if Mom is Rh – and Baby is Rh
+
o Hemorrhage: Vaginal – loss of >500mL, Cesarean – loss of >
1000mL
Signs and symptoms – Boggy, deviated uterus, uncontrolled
bleeding
Laboratory values – HCT decrease by 10%
Interventions – Massage uterus, empty bladder, administer
medications (Pitocin, methergine, hemabate, misoprostol)
o “Taking hold” phase – 3rd to 10th day – mom is caring for baby and
eager to learn, best time to provide education
o Mastitis
Risk factors – Bottle feeding
Signs and symptoms – Red, swollen breast.
Interventions – Warm compresses, massage, pumping, abx
(take full dose)
Downloaded by madiba South Africa stuvia ()
Unit 4—Postpartum/client health issues
o Characteristics and measurements of normal involution patterns
Should be at umbilicus within 24 hours.
Involution should occur at 1-2cm/day and should not be
palpable by 2 weeks postpartum
o Lochia
Timeline and Description for Each
Rubra – 1-3 days: Bright red
Serosa – 4-10 days: Pinkish/Brown
Alba – 10-14 days: Whitish-yellow
o Anatomic and physiologic patterns during the postpartum
recovery
o Normal vs abnormal vitals signs and lab values in postpartum
patient
o Components of the parenting process
Safety
Tasks and responsibilities
Attachment and bonding
Dimensions that influence attachment and bonding
Signs of successful bonding
Education
o Nursing care and interventions for the postpartum patient
o Psychosocial needs of the mother after birth
o Postpartum complications
Signs and symptoms of complications
Interventions for complications
o Discharge teaching and follow up care
o Feeding methods
Breast
Breast health
Breast assessment
Interventions for abnormal findings/difficulty feeding
o If engorged, hand express before latching
o Use warm compress and massage for clogged duct
Lactation support
How to breastfeed
Downloaded by madiba South Africa stuvia ()
, lOMoARcPSD|44532475
Things not to do/not recommended for the breast
feeding infant
o Do not offer pacifier until breastfeeding
established
Bottle feeding – Feed every 3-4 hours
Breast concerns for those bottle feeding
o Engorgement/Mastitis
o Care of the diabetic mother during the postpartum period
Expected findings – Decreased Blood Glucose
Interventions – Frequent Blood Sugar Checks
o Infections in postpartum woman
Signs of infections – Temp > 100.4, WBC > 30,000, HR > 100
Risk factors for infection
o Rhogam – Given 72hrs postpartum if Mom is Rh – and Baby is Rh
+
o Hemorrhage: Vaginal – loss of >500mL, Cesarean – loss of >
1000mL
Signs and symptoms – Boggy, deviated uterus, uncontrolled
bleeding
Laboratory values – HCT decrease by 10%
Interventions – Massage uterus, empty bladder, administer
medications (Pitocin, methergine, hemabate, misoprostol)
o “Taking hold” phase – 3rd to 10th day – mom is caring for baby and
eager to learn, best time to provide education
o Mastitis
Risk factors – Bottle feeding
Signs and symptoms – Red, swollen breast.
Interventions – Warm compresses, massage, pumping, abx
(take full dose)
Downloaded by madiba South Africa stuvia ()
