After childbirth, you're likely focused on caring for your baby. But health problems, some life-threatening, can happen in the weeks and months afterward and many aren't aware of the warning signs. Here's what you need to know about postpartum complications. Show
A growing problemA pregnancy-related death is the death of a woman while pregnant or within one year of the end of a pregnancy. More than half the pregnancy-related deaths happen after childbirth. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of reported pregnancy-related deaths in the United States in 2014 was 18 deaths per 100,000 live births. That's up from 7.2 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1987. Research also shows racial disparities. From 2011 to 2014, the pregnancy-related mortality ratios for black women were more than three times higher than for white women. Lack of awarenessAfter childbirth, it's common to experience fatigue and discomfort, such as perineal pain and uterine contractions. You might not know the difference between a normal recovery and the symptoms of a complication — or when to seek medical care. If you give birth in a hospital, your health care team might not identify risk factors for serious postpartum complications before you are discharged. Mothers also often don't see a health care provider until four to six weeks after childbirth, and as many as 40 percent don't attend a postpartum visit, likely due to limited resources. As a result, most receive little guidance on their postpartum recovery. Common postpartum complicationsAccording to the CDC, from 2011 to 2014 the most common causes of pregnancy-related deaths were:
Sometimes the cause of a pregnancy-related death is unknown. Risk factors for postpartum complicationsThe overall risk of dying of a pregnancy-related complication is low. But women with chronic conditions such as cardiac disease, obesity or high blood pressure are at greater risk of dying or nearly dying from pregnancy-related complications. If you have these risk factors, monitoring your postpartum health is particularly important. Warning signs and symptomsMany postpartum complications can be successfully treated if they're identified early. Seek emergency help if you have:
Call your health care provider if you have:
Prevention tipsPrioritize your postpartum health. Start thinking about your postpartum care plan before you give birth. After childbirth, talk to your health care provider about your risk of a pregnancy-related complication and any special follow-up care you might need. Know the signs and symptoms of a problem. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists also now recommends that postpartum care be an ongoing process rather than just a single visit after your delivery. Have contact with your health care provider within the first three weeks after delivery. Within 12 weeks after delivery, see your health care provider for a comprehensive postpartum evaluation. If you're having trouble making time for an appointment, talk to your provider. Reach out to family and friends for help with child care. During this appointment your health care provider will check your mood and emotional well-being, discuss contraception and birth spacing, review information about infant care and feeding, talk about your sleep habits and issues related to fatigue, and do a physical exam. This might include a check of your abdomen, vagina, cervix and uterus to make sure you're healing well. This is a great time to talk about any concerns you might have, including resuming sexual activity and how you're adjusting to life with a new baby. Also, any time you see a health care provider in the year after childbirth, be sure to share the date that you gave birth. This can help your provider know that your symptoms might be related to your recent pregnancy. Dec. 03, 2021
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. What is the nurse action when the initial temperature of a postpartum woman is 37.5 * C?Temperatures up to 100.4 ° F (38 ° C) in the first 24 hours after birth often are related to the dehydrating effects of labor. The appropriate action is to increase hydration by encouraging oral fluids, which should bring the temperature to a normal reading.
Which of the following would the nurse expect to find when assessing a 12 hours postpartum client?Which of the following findings would be expected when assessing the postpartum client? Fundus 1 cm above the umbilicus 1 hour postpartum. Within the first 12 hours postpartum, the fundus usually is approximately 1 cm above the umbilicus. The fundus should be below the umbilicus by PP day 3.
When assessing the postpartum client 2 hours after giving birth which finding indicates the need for further action?When assessing the postpartum client 2 hours after giving birth, which finding indicates the need for further action? The fundus is firm and deviated sharply to the right side of the abdomen. Explanation: In the immediate postpartum period, the fundus is regularly assessed.
When performing a postpartum assessment on a client the nurse notes the presence of clots in the lochia?When performing a PP assessment on a client, the nurse notes the presence of clots in the lochia. The nurse examines the clots and notes that they are larger than 1 cm. Which of the following nursing actions is most appropriate? Encourage increased intake of fluids.
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Which action would the nurse take after noting that a client who is 4 hours postpartum has a temperature of 100.2 F 38 C )?
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