Title: Postpartal Care
Course: PRN 0100C Maternal/Infant > Section: Module 6: Postpartal Care

Introduction

In this module the student will learn about the normal postpartum period and the expected nursing care to be given during that time. Items covered will be the postpartum assessment, including fundal, perineal & lochia assessment. Breastfeeding and care of the breasts through lactation will be discussed. In addition, we will discuss maternal complications that may occur during the postpartum period.

Objectives

Upon completion of this module, the student will be able to:

Describe postpartum assessment of the mother.
Explain breastfeeding; advantages, stages of breast milk, care of breasts, diet and fluids.
Identify the physiological changes that occur in the postpartum period.
Discuss complications of the postpartum period.

Standards

This Module maps to the following Standards:

1. 35.0    PROVIDE CARE FOR MATERNAL/NEWBORN PATIENTS, UTILIZING NURSING PRINCIPLES

Readings & Resources

Christensen & Kockrow, (2011), Foundations of Nursing, 6th edition, Pages from Chapter 27: 841-866, 894-895, 901-902, 913-914, 921-923

Additional Resources

Images & Webpages: Assessing Lochia Flow,  (http://what-when-how.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/tmp34d618_thumb22.png)

Normal Labor, (http://what-when-how.com/nursing/normal-labor-delivery-and-postpartum-care-maternal-and-newborn-nursing-part-3/)

Delivery & Postpartum Care, (http://what-when-how.com/nursing/normal-labor-delivery-and-postpartum-care-maternal-and-newborn-nursing-part-3/)

Caring for a postpartum woman,  (http://toptalesofdata.blogspot.com/2012/04/continuation-caring-for-postpartal.html)

Breast changes during lactation (http://www.babycenter.com/404_how-will-breastfeeding-change-the-appearance-of-my-breasts_8826.bc)