postnatal

Postnatal (Latin for 'after birth', from post meaning "after" and natalis meaning "of birth") is the period beginning immediately after the birth of a child and extending for about six weeks. A more correct^{[citation needed]} term would be postpartum period, as it refers to the mother (whereas postnatal refers to the infant). Less frequently used is puerperium.

Biologically, it is the time after birth, a time in which the mother's body, including hormone levels and uterus size, returns to prepregnancy conditions. Lochia is post-partum vaginal discharge, containing blood, mucus, and placental tissue.

During the first stages of this period, the newborn also starts his/her adaptation to extrauterine life, the most significant^{[citation needed]} physiological transition until death.

In scientific literature the term is commonly abbreviated to PX. So that 'day P5' should be read as 'the fifth day after birth'.

The postpartum period

A woman in the Western world who is delivering in a hospital may leave the hospital as soon as she is medically stable and chooses to leave, which can be as early as a few hours postpartum, though the average for spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD) is 1–2 days, and the average caesarean section postnatal stay is 3–4 days. During this time the mother is monitored for bleeding, bowel and bladder function, and baby care. The infant's health is also monitored.^[1]

Physical

The mother is assessed for tears, and is sutured if necessary. Also, she may suffer from constipation or hemorrhoids, both of which would be managed. The bladder is also assessed for infection, retention and any problems in the muscles.

The major focus of postpartum care is ensuring that the woman is healthy and capable of taking care of her newborn, equipped with all the information she needs about breastfeeding, reproductive health and contraception, and the imminent life adjustment.

Some medical conditions may occur in the postpartum period, such as Sheehan syndrome and peripartum cardiomyopathy.

In some cases, this adjustment is not made easily, and women may suffer from postpartum depression, posttraumatic stress disorder or even puerperal psychosis.

Psychological

Early detection and adequate treatment is required. Postpartum depression may be the response to the hormonal changes and life adjustment the woman goes through immediately after childbirth, but can also be a sign of pre-existent depressive symptoms.

Over 1 in 100 women develop Posttraumatic stress disorder following childbirth, many more suffer from one or more of the symptoms. PTSD may occur after severe complications during delivery, but personality characteristics and previous psychiatric illness has also been associated with the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms.

Postpartum psychosis (also known as puerperal psychosis), is a more severe form of mental illness than postpartum depression, with an indicence of approximately 0.2%.

Cultures

In East Asia

In some East Asian cultures, such as Chinese and Vietnamese, there is a traditional custom of postpartum confinement known in English as doing the month or sitting the month (Mandarin zuò yuèzi 坐月子). Confinement traditionally lasts 30 days, although regional variants may last 40, 60 or as many as 100 days^{[citation needed]}. This tradition combines prescribed foods with a number of restrictions on activities considered to be harmful. It is widely believed in many East Asian societies that this custom helps heal injuries to the perineum, promote the contraction of the uterus, and promote lactation.

See also

• Breastfeeding
• Childbirth
• Doula
• Infant
• Obstetric
• parental leave
• Pre- and perinatal psychology
• Puerperal fever
• Pelvic girdle pain
• Early postnatal hospital discharge

References

External links

• eMedicine: Normal and Abnormal Puerperium
• Patient UK: Postnatal Care (Puerperium)
• Postpartum Social Awareness
• Discovery Health's Postpartum Planning Tool guides you through the mysteries of motherhood and babyhood from birth to 12 weeks.
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• [2]

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