Postpartum (Puerperium) Care
The postpartum period (puerperium) is the six weeks after delivery. Nurses monitor involution, lochia, and complications while supporting the new mother.
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What you must know about Postpartum Care
The puerperium lasts about 6 weeks as the body returns to its pre-pregnant state.
Uterine involution: the fundus descends about one finger-breadth per day and the uterus returns to the pelvis by ~2 weeks.
Lochia progresses from rubra (red) to serosa (pink-brown) to alba (white/yellow).
Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is a leading cause of maternal death — assess the fundus and bleeding.
A boggy (soft) uterus suggests uterine atony; massage the fundus to promote contraction.
Monitor for infection, breast engorgement, and postpartum depression.
NMCN Exam Tips
How this topic appears in the NMCN exam
A boggy uterus → massage the fundus first (uterine atony is the top PPH cause).
Know the order of lochia: rubra → serosa → alba.
The fundus descends ~1 finger-breadth per day.
PPH is a leading cause of maternal mortality.
Practice Question
Test yourself
On postpartum assessment, the nurse finds the uterus is soft and boggy. The FIRST nursing action is to:
Explanation
A soft, boggy uterus indicates uterine atony, the most common cause of postpartum haemorrhage. Massaging the fundus stimulates contraction to control bleeding and is the immediate priority action.
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