Postnatal Care Flashcards
Describe the star day?
The day of birth where you do observations on mum and do the baby check
What do you do on day 1?
Observations, mum and baby check, feeding support
What do you do on day 2?
Observations, mum and baby check, feeding support
What do you do on day 3?
Observations, mum and baby check, feeding support
What do you do on day 5?
Mum and baby check, baby weight and new born blood spot is offered
What do you do on day 10?
Mum and baby check, baby weight, hand over to health visitor is all okay
Why is emotional and psychological wellbeing important?
Birth debrief important.
Consider; baby blues, sociological aspects, culture aspects, psychosis, depression, ocd
Don’t forget the partner!
What are the steps to the mothers full postnatal check?
What are the steps to the babys full postnatal check?
What should you be doing in a postnatal visit looking at the breasts?
Ask how breasts feel: soft, full, painful, nipple pain, bleeding
Full milk supply usually arrives by 3 days postnatal (same time as baby blues)
Offer advice and support regarding common breast problems: bleeding, engorgement, mastitis, thrush
What should you expect from the uterus post natal?
Gradual reduction in size of uterus until no longer palpable
After pains
What is lochia?
Lochia is vaginal discharge after childbirth. It consists of blood, mucus, uterine tissue and other materials from your uterus.
Assessment should include asking is lochia more or less, lighter or darker, any clots, any nasty smells, how often she changes her pad
Perineal Assessment
- Injury to the perineum affects most women
- Can have long term social, physchological and physical health consequences
- Pain/discomfort can disrupt breastfeeding
- Physical examination only if indicated or requested
- To alleviate pain or discomfort, oral analgesia , localised cooling (icepacks)
Cesarean Section Wound Assessment
- Ask mum how it feels
- Check the wound is healing, clean and dry?
- Redness inflammation, seeping, bruising
- May need to remove dressing and stitches
What should you be vigilant for in wounds?
Fever, raised temperature, shivering, pain, offensive blood loss, heavy blood loss