Nursing Management During the
Postpartum Period
Bonding - ANS Close emotional attraction to a newborn by the parents that develops the first
30 to 60 minutes after birth.
Attachment - ANS Development of a strong affection between an infant and a significant other
(mother, father, sibling, caregiver).
Typical Assessments in Postpartum Period - First Hour - ANS Every 15 minutes.
Typical Assessments in Postpartum Period - Second Hour - ANS Every 30 minutes.
Typical Assessments in Postpartum Period - First 24 Hours - ANS Every 4 hours.
Typical Assessments in Postpartum Period - After 24 Hours - ANS Every 8 hours.
Physical Assessment: Breasts - ANS Size, contour, engorgement.
Physical Assessment: Uterus - ANS Height of fundus, firmness.
Physical Assessment: Bladder - ANS Voiding, bladder emptying.
Physical Assessment: Bowels - ANS Bowel sounds, distention.
Physical Assessment: Lochia - ANS Amount, color, odor.
Physical Assessment: Lacerations - ANS Episiotomy and perineum (hematoma).
Physical Assessment: Extremities - ANS Assessment of extremities.
Physical Assessment: Emotional Status - ANS Assessment of emotional status.
Teaching Topics for Postpartum Period - ANS Pain and discomfort, immunizations, nutrition,
activity and exercise, lactation, discharge teaching, sexuality and contraception, follow-up.
Nursing Interventions: Promoting Comfort - ANS Cold and heat applications, topical
preparations, analgesics.
Nursing Interventions: Assisting with Elimination - ANS Promoting voiding to decrease risk of
infection, promoting bowel elimination.
Postpartum Period
Bonding - ANS Close emotional attraction to a newborn by the parents that develops the first
30 to 60 minutes after birth.
Attachment - ANS Development of a strong affection between an infant and a significant other
(mother, father, sibling, caregiver).
Typical Assessments in Postpartum Period - First Hour - ANS Every 15 minutes.
Typical Assessments in Postpartum Period - Second Hour - ANS Every 30 minutes.
Typical Assessments in Postpartum Period - First 24 Hours - ANS Every 4 hours.
Typical Assessments in Postpartum Period - After 24 Hours - ANS Every 8 hours.
Physical Assessment: Breasts - ANS Size, contour, engorgement.
Physical Assessment: Uterus - ANS Height of fundus, firmness.
Physical Assessment: Bladder - ANS Voiding, bladder emptying.
Physical Assessment: Bowels - ANS Bowel sounds, distention.
Physical Assessment: Lochia - ANS Amount, color, odor.
Physical Assessment: Lacerations - ANS Episiotomy and perineum (hematoma).
Physical Assessment: Extremities - ANS Assessment of extremities.
Physical Assessment: Emotional Status - ANS Assessment of emotional status.
Teaching Topics for Postpartum Period - ANS Pain and discomfort, immunizations, nutrition,
activity and exercise, lactation, discharge teaching, sexuality and contraception, follow-up.
Nursing Interventions: Promoting Comfort - ANS Cold and heat applications, topical
preparations, analgesics.
Nursing Interventions: Assisting with Elimination - ANS Promoting voiding to decrease risk of
infection, promoting bowel elimination.
