THE NORMAL POSTPARTAL EXPERIENCE

THE NORMAL POSTPARTAL EXPERIENCE
Postpartum Chills
 May be the result of sudden release of pressure on pelvic nerves of excess epinephrine production during labor
 Signs and symptoms:
 Elevated Temperature
 Tachycardia
 Tachypnea
 Hypotension
 Nursing Interventions:
 Monitor the vital signs every 2 to 4 hours
 Make the client comfortable as possible
 Keep the mother warm
 Encourage fluids 3000-4000mL if not contraindicated
Breast Engorgement
 Caused by vascular and lymphatic congestion
 Encourage wearing of a support bra at all times even while the client is sleeping
 Encourage to use ice packs between feedings if the client is breast feeding
 Encourage warm soaks or a warm shower before breast feeding
 Massage the breasts before feeding to stimulate let- down
 Administer analgesics as prescribed if comfort measures are unsuccessful
Positive mother-neonate interaction
 Speaks of infant as desirable and attractive
 Is not upset by the drooling and vomiting of the infant
 Holds baby warmly
 Makes eye contact with the neonate
 Plays with and soothes the infant
 Talks or sings to the baby
 Expresses confidence that the infant is well
 Is able to discriminate the needs of the infant
Rubin’s postpartum Phases of Regeneration
 Taking-in phase: first 3 days
 Mother focuses on own primary needs such as s sleep and food
 Baby care teaching is not effective at this time
 Taking-hold phase: 3 to 10 days
 More in control of independence
 Begins to assume tasks of mothering
 Letting-go phase
 Deep loss of separation from the baby
 Mothers may be caught in a dependent/independent role
After birth pains
 Results from the contractions of the uterus
 More common in:
 Multiparas
 Breast feeding mothers
 Treated with oxytocin
 Over distended uterus during pregnancy such as carrying twins
Carunculae Mystiformes/Carunculae Hymenales
 Fibrous nodules of mucosa resulting from the healing of a torn hymen
 Remnants of a ruptured hymen that appears as irregular projections of a normal skin around the vagina