The Postnatal PeriodChpt 6.3

Emotional ties happen immediately Mothers go through emotional changes and

it is important that they get the support that they need

Neonatal period bring significant adjustments for the mother and the baby

50% of newborns are born jaundice because the liver cannot remove bilirubin. Needs to be treated or can result in damage to

the nervous system.

After the Birth

Immediately, after birth, nurses may place the baby on the mother’s stomach. Baby feels warmth of mom’s skin, and can

hear her voice and heartbeat. Both parents being touching and talking to

the baby, looking into the baby’s eyes and stroking the baby’s cheeks.

Bonding help brain development Builds connections in the brain

Bonding

Nursing – if breastfeeding, the mother may begin to nurse immediately Each breastfeeding session tells the mother’s

body to make more milk It also helps the mother’s uterus contract after

birth, to help stop bleeding First breast milk – colostrum

Satisfies the baby’s appetite and provides protection from illnesses

Use a baby carrier – A carrier strapped to the parent’s body

Sing or read to the baby

Allow dad time with the baby

Let the baby handle you – Allow the baby to touch your hair, face, etc. Just be careful – they have a strong grip!

Ideas to Promote Bonding

Parents get help with feeding from the lactation consultant at the hospital

Nurses may also help Babies may seem too tired to eat in the first

few days Mom can wake them up by unwrapping them

and exposing them to the air temperature Light massage can also help

Helping with Feeding

Full rooming-in – The baby remains in the room with the mother the entire hospital stay Still gets help from the nurses

Partial rooming-in – The baby remains in the nursery part of the time (such as, overnight) to let the mother get rest after birth Mothers can still ask for the baby to be brought

to their room for nighttime feedings

Rooming-in

Birth Certificate – required to start school Completed by filling out paperwork in the

hospital

Social Security Number – Hospitals give parents the necessary forms to get the baby a SSN. Needed for health coverage on insurance for

the baby

Legal Documents

Born before 37 weeks of development

Many premature babies spend time in the NICU Neonatal Intensive-Care Unit

Not all hospitals have these – baby may need to be transferred

3 Levels of the NICU Level 1 – Routine Care Level 2 – Monitoring closely Level 3 – Intensive care for very premature babies born before 34

weeks development or for any babies that may have life-threatening conditions.

Caring for Premature Babies

Premature babies do not have enough body fat to stay warm, so often put in an incubator or special warmer to keep their body up to temperature Decreases the chance of infection and surrounds the baby with

warm air Preemies also need special types of nourishment because they

will grow more quickly than full-term babies Can be fed breast milk through a feeding tube

Help protect against infection and disease Once they show signs of being able to suck, they may be

breastfed. Premature babies stay in the hospital until their organs are

developed enough to function without help

NICU –Special Needs

Care for preemie babies has improved over the years

Still have an increased risk of medical and developmental problems

Premature babies need constant monitoring which can interrupt parent bonding As the babies grow, parents can hold, sing, talk to, and

bathe them Contact will help them develop faster

Improved Care

Postnatal Period – the time following the baby’s birth

New mother has special needs Nurses will help teach the new mother

how to care for the new baby

Mother’s Postnatal Care

Recovery from the pregnancy and childbirth takes time

The new mother’s hormone levels have changed Sleep is interrupted by the baby’s feeding patterns Breastfeeding mothers experience additional

changes related to producing milk Women who have had a C-section require additional

care Stay in the hospital longer and will be more fatigued

Mother’s Postnatal Physical Needs

Rest New mother will be tired during the first few weeks She should sleep whenever the baby does Relatives can help by preparing meals, doing chores,

or watching the baby for a few hours

Exercise With doctor’s approval – she can usually begin gently

exercising Stretching and walking short distances can help her

loose weight and feel more energetic

Good Nutrition Should continue to follow the MyPlate guidelines Breastfeeding mothers need additional nutrition,

usually about 300 extra calories a day New mothers should also consume plenty of water

Medical Check-Up 4-6 weeks after birth, a mother should have her first

postnatal checkup Doctor checks to make sure uterus is returning to

normal and there are no other problems

Confusion the first few days after birth Mood swings “Baby blues” – crying for no reason May feel irritable, lonely, anxious, or sad May join a support group for new mothers, or talk to

other mothers for support A small percentage of women experience these

symptoms to a greater degree Postpartum depression

New Mother’s Emotional Needs

Postpartum depression – a condition in which new mothers feel very sad, cry a lot, have little energy, feel overly anxious about the baby or have little interest in the baby, and in extreme cases think of harming the baby

Treatment is available for women going through postpartum depression

It is very important for women going through these symptoms to talk to their doctor and getting help A therapist may also help