The Normal Puerperium

 THE NORMAL PUERPERIUM

At the end of this chapter students will be able to:

 

·                 Define peurperium

 

·                 State physiological changes during peurperium

 

·                 Describe postnatal care given for mother and baby.

 

 

Defintion - Puerperium is period from the expulsion of theplacenta to the time the reproductive organs returns to pregravid state lasts 6 weeks.

 

Puerperium is characterized by the following features

 

·                 The reproductive organs return to the non pregnant state

·                 Other physiological changes occurred during pregnancy are reversed (Involution)

·                 Lactation is initiated

·                 Recuperation of the mother from the stress of pregnancy and delivery and assumes responsibility for the care & nurture of her infant.

 

The care which required during the puerperium should be based up on 3 main principles

·                 Promoting the physical well being of mother and baby

·                 Encouraging sound methods of infant feeding and promoting the developmenof good maternal and child relationship.

·                 Supporting and strengthens the mother’s confidence in herself and enabling her to fulfill her mothering role with in her particular, personal, family and Cultural situation.