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(New page: {{Clinpsy}} The '''postnatal period''' (Latin for 'after birth', from ''post'' meaning "after" and ''natalis'' meaning "of birth") is the period beginning immediately after the [[childbir...)
 
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A '''postpartum period''' (or '''postnatal period''') is the period beginning immediately after the [[childbirth|birth]] of a child and extending for about six weeks. Less frequently used is the term '''puerperium'''.
   
  ⚫
It is the time after birth, a time in which the mother's body, including [[hormone]] levels and [[uterus]] size, returns to a non-pregnant state. [[Lochia]] is post-partum vaginal discharge, containing blood, mucus, and placental tissue.
⚫
The '''postnatal period''' (Latin for 'after birth', from ''post'' meaning "after" and ''natalis'' meaning "of birth") is the period beginning immediately after the [[childbirth|birth]] of a child and extending for about six weeks. The period is sometimes incorrectly called the '''postpartum period''', which refers to the mother and, less commonly, '''puerperium'''.
  
   
  ⚫
In scientific literature, the term is commonly abbreviated to '''P''X'''''. So that 'day '''P5'''' should be read as 'the fifth day after birth'. This is not to be confused with medical nomenclature that uses G P to stand for number of pregnancy and outcome of pregnancy.
⚫
Biologically, it is the time after birth, a time in which the mother's body, including [[hormone]] levels and [[uterus]] size, return to prepregnancy conditions. Lochia is post-partum vaginal discharge, containing blood, mucus, and placental tissue.
 
   
  +
==Newborns==
⚫
During the first stages of this period, the [[newborn]] also starts his/her [[adaptation to extrauterine life]], the most significant physiological transition until [[death]].
  
  +
{{Main|Infant}}
  ⚫
Upon its entry to the air-breathing world, without the nutrition and oxygenation from the umbilical cord, the newborn must begin to adjust to life outside the uterus. Also starts his/her [[adaptation to extrauterine life]], the most significant physiological transition until [[death]].
   
  +
==Postpartum period in mothers==
⚫
In scientific literature the term is commonly abbreviated to '''P''X'''''. So that 'day '''P5'''' should be read as 'the fifth day after birth'.
  
  ⚫
A woman in the Western world 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 [[Urinary bladder|bladder]] function, and baby care. The [[infant]]'s health is also monitored.<ref>"With Women, Midwives Experiences: from Shiftwork to Continuity of Care'', David Vernon, Australian College of Midwives, Canberra, 2007 ISBN 978-0-9751674-5-8, p17f</ref>
   
  ⚫
===Psychological===
−
== The postnatal period ==
  
  +
During this period women can experience:
⚫
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.
  
  ⚫
* [[Postpartum depression]]
⚫
During this time the mother is monitored for [[bleeding]], [[bowel]] and [[Urinary bladder|bladder]] function, and baby care. The [[infant]]'s health is also monitored.<ref>"With Women, Midwives Experiences: from Shiftwork to Continuity of Care'', David Vernon, Australian College of Midwives, Canberra, 2007 ISBN 9780975167458, p17f </ref>
  
  +
* [[Postpartum obsessive compulsive disorder]]
  +
* [[Postpartum psychosis]]
   
  +
Early detection and adequate treatment is required. Approximately 25% - 85% of postpartum women will experience the "blues" for a few days. Between 7% and 17% may experience clinical depression, with a higher risk among those women with a history of clinical depression. Rarely, in 1 in 1,000 cases, women experience a psychotic episode, again with a higher risk among those women with pre-existing mental illness. Despite the wide spread myth of hormonal involvement, repeated studies have not linked hormonal changes with postpartum psychological symptoms. Rather, these are symptoms of a pre-existing mental illness, exacerbated by fatigue, changes in schedule and other common parenting stressors.<ref>{{cite journal
⚫
===Physical ===
  
  +
| last = Dobson
  +
| first = V.
  +
| authorlink =
  +
| coauthors = B. Sales
  +
| title = The Science of Infanticide and Mental Illness
  +
| journal = Psychology, Public Policy and Law
  +
| volume = 6
  +
| issue = 4
  +
| pages = 1098–1112
  +
| publisher =
  +
| location =
  +
| year = 2000
  +
| url =
  +
| doi = 10.1037/1076-8971.6.4.1098
  +
| id =
  +
| accessdate = }}</ref>
   
  ⚫
Postpartum psychosis (also known as [[puerperal psychosis]]), is a more severe form of mental illness than postpartum depression, with an incidence of approximately 0.2%.
⚫
The mother is [[wikt:assessed|assessed]] for [[tear]]s, and is [[surgical suture|suture]]d if necessary. Also, she may suffer from [[constipation]] or [[hemorrhoid]]s, both of which would be managed. The bladder is also assessed for [[infection]], [[retention]] and any problems in the [[muscle]]s.
  
   
  ⚫
===Physical===
⚫
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.
  
  +
{{Further|Sex after pregnancy}}
  ⚫
The mother is [[wikt:assessed|assessed]] for [[tearing|tear]]s, and is [[surgical suture|suture]]d if necessary. Also, she may suffer from [[constipation]] or [[hemorrhoid]]s, both of which would be managed. The bladder is also assessed for [[infection]], [[Urinary retention|retention]], and any problems in the [[muscle]]s.
   
  ⚫
The major focus of postpartum care is ensuring that the mother 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 postnatally, such as [[Sheehan Syndrome]] and [[peripartum cardiomyopathy]].
  
   
  ⚫
Some medical conditions may occur in the postpartum period, such as [[Sheehan's syndrome]] and [[peripartum cardiomyopathy]].
⚫
In some cases, this adjustment is not made easily, and hormonal disturbances may lead to [[postnatal depression]] or even [[puerperal psychosis]].
  
   
  ⚫
In some cases, this adjustment is not made easily, and women may suffer from [[postpartum depression]], [[posttraumatic stress disorder]] or even [[puerperal psychosis]].
⚫
=== Psychological ===
  
  +
−
[[Postnatal depression]] is common {{Fact|date=December 2008}}, with approximately 30% of women suffering from it, potentially as early as 24 hours postpartum. It is usually limited in duration, lasting 36 to 48 hours. Apart from empathy and support from caregivers and family, treatment is not required. Approximately 10-20% of women will suffer the symptoms of [[major depression]], and should be treated accordingly. Postpartum depression may be the response to the [[hormonal]] changes and life adjustment the woman goes through immediately after childbirth.
  
  +
Postpartum [[urinary incontinence]] is experienced by 23.4% to 38.4%[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12028976], likely higher during pregnancy [http://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/Abstract/1999/11000/Antenatal_Prediction_of_Postpartum_Urinary_and.9.aspx].
  +
  +
During the postpartum period, a woman may urinate out up to nine pounds of water. The extra fluid that her body has taken on is no longer needed, so the mother may note that her fluid output is disproportionate to her fluid input.
   
⚫
Postnatal Psychosis (also known as [[puerperal psychosis]]), is a more severe form of mental illness than postpartum depression.
  
   
−
Care provided by a postpartum [[doula]] will support the mother, assist with breastfeeding and baby care which enhances her confidence, helping to lessen her chances of developing postpartum depression or other postpartum mood disorders.{{Fact|date=September 2008}}
  
   
 
==Cultures==
  
==Cultures==
−
===In East Asia===
 +
===East Asia===
−
In some [[East Asian]] cultures, such as [[Chinese culture|Chinese]] and [[Vietnamese culture|Vietnamese]], there is a traditional custom of postpartum [[confinement]] known in English as '''doing the month''' or '''sitting the month''' ([[Standard Mandarin|Mandarin]] zuò yuèzi 坐月子). Confinement traditionally lasts 30 days, although regional variants may last 40, 60 or as many as 100 days. 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]].
 +
In some [[East Asian]] cultures, such as [[Chinese culture|Chinese]] and [[Vietnamese culture|Vietnamese]], there is a traditional custom of postpartum confinement known in English as '''doing the month''' or '''sitting the month''' ([[Standard Chinese|Mandarin]] zuò yuèzi 坐月子). Confinement traditionally lasts 30 days.<ref>[http://journals.cambridge.org/download.php?file=/PHN/PHN12_03/S1368980008002152a.pdf&code=3ba0290fddc1bb0d50aadfcbedad50cd Effect of Alcohol consumption on Maternal lactation characteristics during ‘doing-the-month’ ritual]</ref> Likewise, women in Japan frequently practice [[Birth in Japan#Postpartum|''ansei'']], or peace and quiet, for a period of time after giving birth for the purpose of recuperating. 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]].
  +
<ref>[http://ayurveda.iloveindia.com/parenthood/post-partum-disorders.html Ayuvedic Postpartum Healing Tips]</ref>
  +
<ref>[http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Vata+diet+modified+for+postpartum+mothers.+(Postpartum+Care).-a081759724 Ayurvedic diet for de-stressing postpartum mothers]</ref>
  +
<ref>[http://www.mobimotherhood.org/MM/article-diet.aspx Lactogenic Foods and Herbs]</ref>
  +
  +
===Greece===
  +
Traditionally, Greek mothers would spend 40 days confined at home with their infant after giving birth. At the end of the 40 days (the ''sarántisma'', or "fortying"), the child was symbolically taken to church for the first time, where the mother asked for a special blessing on the conclusion of her puerperium. There are many modern theories seeking to justify this traditional practice, including [[Neonatal sepsis|weakness of infant immune systems]], unimpeded establishment of [[breastfeeding]], and the need for bonding time between parent and child.
  +
  +
===India===
  +
Most traditional Indians follow the 40-day confinement and recuperation period also known as the 'Jaappa' (in Hindi). A special diet to facilitate milk production and increase hemoglobin levels is followed. Sex is not allowed during this time.
  +
In Hindu culture, the puerperium was traditionally considered a period of relative impurity (''asaucham'') due to the processes of childbirth, and a period of confinement of 10-40 days (known as ''purudu'') was recommended for the mother. During this period, she was exempted from usual household chores and religious rites. The father was purified by a ritual bath before visiting the mother in confinement. In the event of a stillbirth, the period of impurity for both parents was 24 hours.<ref>[http://www.hknet.org.nz/asaucham-info.htm GUIDE TO RITUAL IMPURITY - What to do at the junctions of birth and death]</ref>
   
 
==See also==
  
==See also==
 
* [[Breastfeeding]]
  
* [[Breastfeeding]]
 
* [[Childbirth]]
  
* [[Childbirth]]
−
* [[Doula]]
  
 
* [[Infant]]
 
* [[Infant]]
 
* [[Lactation]]
  
* [[Lactation]]
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* [[Pre- and perinatal psychology]]
  
* [[Pre- and perinatal psychology]]
 
* [[Pregnancy]]
  
* [[Pregnancy]]
⚫
* [[Postpartum depression]]
  
−
* [[Puerperal fever]]
  
   
   
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* [http://www.bcrmh.com/disorders/postpartum.htm]
  
* [http://www.bcrmh.com/disorders/postpartum.htm]
   
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−
 
 
{{Humandevelopment}}
  
{{Humandevelopment}}
   
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[[Category:Childbirth]]
  
   
 
<!--
  
<!--
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-->
  
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{{enWP|Postnatal}}
  
{{enWP|Postnatal}}
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[[Category:Birth]]
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[[Category:Postnatal period]]

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A postpartum period (or postnatal period) is the period beginning immediately after the birth of a child and extending for about six weeks. Less frequently used is the term puerperium.

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

In scientific literature, the term is commonly abbreviated to PX. So that 'day P5' should be read as 'the fifth day after birth'. This is not to be confused with medical nomenclature that uses G P to stand for number of pregnancy and outcome of pregnancy.

Newborns

Main article: Infant

Upon its entry to the air-breathing world, without the nutrition and oxygenation from the umbilical cord, the newborn must begin to adjust to life outside the uterus. Also starts his/her adaptation to extrauterine life, the most significant physiological transition until death.

Postpartum period in mothers

A woman in the Western world 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]

Psychological

During this period women can experience:

Early detection and adequate treatment is required. Approximately 25% - 85% of postpartum women will experience the "blues" for a few days. Between 7% and 17% may experience clinical depression, with a higher risk among those women with a history of clinical depression. Rarely, in 1 in 1,000 cases, women experience a psychotic episode, again with a higher risk among those women with pre-existing mental illness. Despite the wide spread myth of hormonal involvement, repeated studies have not linked hormonal changes with postpartum psychological symptoms. Rather, these are symptoms of a pre-existing mental illness, exacerbated by fatigue, changes in schedule and other common parenting stressors.[2]

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

Physical

Further information: Sex after pregnancy

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 mother 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's 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.

Postpartum urinary incontinence is experienced by 23.4% to 38.4%[1], likely higher during pregnancy [2].

During the postpartum period, a woman may urinate out up to nine pounds of water. The extra fluid that her body has taken on is no longer needed, so the mother may note that her fluid output is disproportionate to her fluid input.


Cultures

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.[3] Likewise, women in Japan frequently practice ansei, or peace and quiet, for a period of time after giving birth for the purpose of recuperating. 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. [4] [5] [6]

Greece

Traditionally, Greek mothers would spend 40 days confined at home with their infant after giving birth. At the end of the 40 days (the sarántisma, or "fortying"), the child was symbolically taken to church for the first time, where the mother asked for a special blessing on the conclusion of her puerperium. There are many modern theories seeking to justify this traditional practice, including weakness of infant immune systems, unimpeded establishment of breastfeeding, and the need for bonding time between parent and child.

India

Most traditional Indians follow the 40-day confinement and recuperation period also known as the 'Jaappa' (in Hindi). A special diet to facilitate milk production and increase hemoglobin levels is followed. Sex is not allowed during this time. In Hindu culture, the puerperium was traditionally considered a period of relative impurity (asaucham) due to the processes of childbirth, and a period of confinement of 10-40 days (known as purudu) was recommended for the mother. During this period, she was exempted from usual household chores and religious rites. The father was purified by a ritual bath before visiting the mother in confinement. In the event of a stillbirth, the period of impurity for both parents was 24 hours.[7]

See also


References

  1. ↑ "With Women, Midwives Experiences: from Shiftwork to Continuity of Care, David Vernon, Australian College of Midwives, Canberra, 2007 ISBN 978-0-9751674-5-8, p17f
  2. ↑ Dobson, V., B. Sales (2000). The Science of Infanticide and Mental Illness. Psychology, Public Policy and Law 6 (4): 1098–1112.
  3. ↑ Effect of Alcohol consumption on Maternal lactation characteristics during ‘doing-the-month’ ritual
  4. ↑ Ayuvedic Postpartum Healing Tips
  5. ↑ Ayurvedic diet for de-stressing postpartum mothers
  6. ↑ Lactogenic Foods and Herbs
  7. ↑ GUIDE TO RITUAL IMPURITY - What to do at the junctions of birth and death

External links


Human development: biological - psychological

Stages: Infancy | Childhood | Adolescence | Adulthood - Early adulthood | Middle adulthood | Late adulthood

Child development | Youth development | Ageing & Senescence

Theorists-theories: John Bowlby-attachment | Jean Piaget-cognitive | Lawrence Kohlberg-moral | Sigmund Freud-psychosexual | Erik Erikson-psychosocial


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