Postpartum Care of the New Mother

Excerpt

The postpartum period begins soon after the baby's delivery and usually lasts six to eight weeks and ends when the mother’s body has nearly returned to its pre-pregnant state. The weeks following birth lay the foundation of long-term health and well-being for both the woman and her infant. Therefore, it is critical to establish a reliable postpartum (afterbirth) period that should be tailored into on-going, continuous, comprehensive care. Most maternal and infant deaths occur in the first month after birth. Hence effective postpartum care is mandatory to improve both short-term and long-term health consequences of mother and newborn.