What are the three stages of postpartum?

The postnatal period is generally distributed into three distinct, but continuous phases:
  • Acute Phase: 24 hours immediately following delivery.
  • Sub-Acute Phase: can last 2-6 weeks following delivery.
  • Late Phase: can last from 6 weeks - 6 months following delivery.


What are the postpartum stages?

The postpartum period can be divided into three distinct stages; the initial or acute phase, 8–19 hours after childbirth; subacute postpartum period, which lasts two to six weeks, and the delayed postpartum period, which can last up to eight months.

What are the 3 phases of maternal adjustment in the postpartum psychological changes?

The mother actually assumes her maternal role in the postnatal period, working through three phases--Taking In, Taking Hold, and Letting Go.


What are three postpartum complications?

Common postpartum complications

Infection or sepsis. Excessive bleeding after giving birth (hemorrhage) A disease of the heart muscle that makes it harder for your heart to pump blood to the rest of your body (cardiomyopathy)

What are the three stages of puerperium?

Puerperium period of 6 weeks can be divided into: (a) immediate – within 24 hours (b) early – up to 7 days (c) remote – up to 6 weeks. The puerperal effects are seen in all organs and particularly in reproductive organs. Infection and haemorrhage are the common postpartum complications.


Stages of labor - physiology



What are the three lochia?

You'll go through three postpartum bleeding stages: lochia rubra, lochia serosa and lochia alba.

How long is the postpartum stage?

There is consensus that the postpartum period begins upon birth of the newborn. The end is less well defined, but is often considered the six to eight weeks after birth because the effects of pregnancy on many systems have largely returned to the prepregnancy state by this time.

What are 4 things that generally happen during postpartum?

Here are seven of the most common postpartum conditions you should know about as you prepare to give birth.
  • Vaginal Discharge. ...
  • Uterine Shrinkage. ...
  • Perineum Pain. ...
  • Blood Glucose Swings. ...
  • Urinary Incontinence. ...
  • Postpartum Thyroiditis. ...
  • Libido and Sexuality.


What are postpartum danger signs?

In general, warning signs of serious health conditions include chest pain, trouble breathing, heavy bleeding and extreme pain. If you have any of these signs or symptoms, call your provider right away. If you think your life is in danger, call emergency services (911) or go to the emergency room.

How do you take care of postpartum?

Here are some ways you can practice self-care:
  1. Follow your doctor's orders. Don't skip your follow-up appointments and do take it easy. ...
  2. Get as much rest as you can. ...
  3. Accept help from friends and family. ...
  4. Eat healthy meals. ...
  5. Get some exercise. ...
  6. Spend some quality time with your partner. ...
  7. Join a mommy support group.


What are the 4 P's to the birthing process?

These components are grouped into 4Ps: power, which refers to uterine contractions and maternal pushing efforts; passage, which refers to the maternal pelvis that the baby passes through during labor; passenger, which refers to the fetus and placenta; and psyche, which refers to the client's psychological status during ...


What are 2 common changes in the first 6 weeks postpartum?

The changes in your body may include sore muscles and bleeding. Contractions called afterpains shrink the uterus for several days after childbirth. Shrinking of the uterus to its prepregnancy size may take 6 to 8 weeks. Sore muscles (especially in the arms, neck, or jaw) are common after childbirth.

What are the physiological changes during postpartum?

General Physiological Changes

The temperature is slightly elevated up to 37.2C (99F) along with increased shivering, sweating, or diaphoresis in the first 24 hours and normalizes within 12 hours.

What is the first postpartum?

It's completely normal for women who breastfeed exclusively to have their first postpartum period six weeks after delivery or a year or more later — even 18 months after giving birth. If you're breastfeeding some of the time, you might see your period return sooner.


What is the last stage of postpartum?

Lochia alba is the last stage of lochia.

Little to no blood. Light flow or spotting. Lasts from about 12 days to six weeks.

Why is it called postpartum?

“Postpartum” means the time after childbirth. Most women get the “baby blues,” or feel sad or empty, within a few days of giving birth. For many women, the baby blues go away in 3 to 5 days. If your baby blues don't go away or you feel sad, hopeless, or empty for longer than 2 weeks, you may have postpartum depression.

What should you not do postpartum?

Avoid stairs and lifting until your doctor says these activities are OK. Don't take a bath or go swimming until the doctor says it's OK. Don't drive until your doctor says it's OK. Also wait until you can make sudden movements and wear a safety belt properly without discomfort.


What is not normal during postpartum?

Very heavy bleeding, like soaking through more than one pad in an hour or noticing large blood clots. A red or swollen leg that feels warm or painful when you touch it. A bad headache that doesn't get better after taking medication, or a bad headache that affects your vision. A fever of 100.4 F or higher.

How long does it take to recover from post partum?

Vaginal delivery recovery, also called postpartum recovery, takes time. Some women don't feel like their pre-pregnancy selves again for a few months, though many feel mostly recovered after 6-8 weeks.

What is the most common cause of postpartum?

Uterine atony.

This is the most common cause of PPH. It happens when the muscles in your uterus don't contract (tighten) well after birth. Uterine contractions after birth help stop bleeding from the place in the uterus where the placenta breaks away.


What is the 5 5 5 post partum?

Prepare for the 5-5-5 rule: 5 days in the bed, 5 days on the bed, 5 days near the bed. This gives you a solid two weeks of focused intentional rest. It also helps to get your priorities in order when it comes to those eager visitors. They will get to see the baby, but they don't get to make the rules.

What happens to a woman postpartum?

After delivery, you'll begin to shed the superficial mucous membrane that lined your uterus during pregnancy. You'll have vaginal discharge made up of this membrane and blood for weeks. The discharge will be red and heavy for the first few days.

What's the difference between postnatal and postpartum?

The terms “postpartum period” and “postnatal period” are often used interchangeably but sometimes separately, when “postpartum” refers to issues pertaining to the mother and “postnatal” refers to those concerning the baby.


Why do you have to wait 6 weeks postpartum?

Your doctor will be making sure that you are healing as expected. By 6 weeks postpartum, your uterus should also have returned to its normal size – about the size of a grapefruit. If you are due for a pelvic exam, or if you had a complicated delivery or episiotomy, you can expect a pelvic exam.

Why does lochia last so long?

Lochia is typically heavier and (often much) longer-lasting than your menstrual cycle. It also has some components that you won't find in a basic menstrual period, like mucus and tissue from your uterus, mostly from where the placenta was attached.
Previous question
Is lava wet or dry?
Next question
Do you talk during anesthesia?