📌 Postpartum Health – Evidence-Based Guideline Overview

🔹 1. Timing of Postpartum Care

First contact: within 3 weeks after delivery

Comprehensive visit: by 6–12 weeks postpartum

(ACOG recommends postpartum care as an ongoing process, not a single visit)

🔹 2. Physical Recovery Assessment

✔ Uterine involution

✔ Lochia pattern (amount, color, odor)

✔ Perineal or cesarean wound healing

✔ Breast & lactation assessment

✔ Pelvic floor symptoms (pain, incontinence, prolapse)

🔹 3. Postpartum Hemorrhage & Anemia

Ask about:

Excessive bleeding

Dizziness, fatigue

Check:

Hb if symptomatic or high-risk

Treat anemia early to improve recovery & mental health.

🔹 4. Mental Health Screening (Mandatory)

🧠 Screen for:

Postpartum blues

Postpartum depression

Anxiety & PTSD

📌 Use validated tools (e.g. EPDS)

📌 Early referral saves lives

🔹 5. Blood Pressure & Medical Conditions

Monitor BP (especially after:

Pre-eclampsia

Gestational hypertension)

Follow-up:

Diabetes

Thyroid disorders

Chronic illnesses

🔹 6. Contraception Counseling

Discuss before 6 weeks

Options depend on:

Breastfeeding status

Medical conditions

Emphasize birth spacing

🔹 7. Sexual Health & Intimacy

Address:

Dyspareunia

Vaginal dryness

Libido changes

Normalize concerns — silence delays healing

🔹 8. Red Flags – When to Seek Help Urgently

🚨 Heavy bleeding

🚨 Fever

🚨 Severe headache or visual changes

🚨 Chest pain or breathlessness

🚨 Severe sadness or harmful thoughts

🔹 9. Patient-Centered Postpartum Care

Postpartum care should be:

Continuous

Individualized

Physical + emotional

Supportive, not dismissive

#DrRababCares 

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