Postpartum Care for Mothers and Newborns
Postpartum Care for Mothers and Newborns
What is meant by the term postpartum care?
Caring for the mother and the baby from birth and through the next 6 weeks.
How important is postpartum care?
After delivery, it is important to make sure the fundus is firm. This may be accomplished by massage. Bleeding needs to be under control. She should be able to void. She needs to be fed and well hydrated, and generally cared for. The baby needs to be examined and nursing well. She should have a two week and six week visit also. At 6 weeks the placental site should finally be healed.
What type of things should the mother watch for in the newborn?
When to Call Your Pediatrician
- No stools or urination in 24-48 hours
- Difficulty breathing
- Baby’s color is blue
- Jaundice (yellow) with lethargy and failure to nurse
- Vomiting Fever (over 99.6 under arm)
- Umbilical cord red or swollen with odor
In the hospital the mother has attendants waiting on her. What about at home?
We encourage them to have help at home, either the husband taking off work for a while to help or her mother. Often, church members will bring meals in for at least 2 weeks.
When can she return to her normal lifestyle?
After 6 weeks the placental site is healed.
But Thou art He that took me out of the womb: Thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts. I was cast upon Thee from the womb: Thou art my God from my mother's belly.
Psalm 22:9-10