Fundamentals of Midwifery: A Textbook for Students (79 page)

Changing demographics and health needs have led to an increase on the pressures of postnatalservices.

The demise in postnatal provision in the UK is concerning, with the potential to affect health
outcomes for women and their babies.

The midwife has a key role in being able to support a healthy adaptation to parenthood for

mother and partner.

The postnatal period is a time of immense change for women and families. Midwives have a

pivotal role in promoting confidence in parenting abilities and supporting a healthy physiologi- cal, psychological and social transition to parenthood. With the demise in postnatal care provi- sion, it is vital that every contact with the woman and baby is optimised in terms of assessing health risks, shared decision-making, giving information, planning and evaluating care that is safe and meets the needs of women and babies. The introduction of collaborative working will hopefully increase daily efficiency and the provision of postnatal care will continue to be sup- ported as an essential aspect of the childbearing experience for women and families.

183

L

W

A

F

S

I

A

R

B

U

R

U

O

X

K

V

U

J

J

R

F

S

D

B

O

U

U

R

F

J

R

O

U

V

H

E

H

J

A

Y

O

G

V

L

A

V

K

W

G

M

H

D

E

E

T

V

G

I

X

A

K

A

I

S

J

B

R

C

S

Z

Y

R

L

D

Q

N

R

C

H

A

X

U

H

M

O

Y

Y

C

C

D

Y

P

R

B

P

A

Y

V

I

I

A

F

W

I

E

R

P

B

X

Z

X

X

B

T

A

N

E

M

S

N

I

M

W

O

T

O

B

E

L

C

F

K

U

N

N

K

M

A

C

E

S

D

E

G

C

T

S

I

M

U

U

E

T

V

U

Y

M

S

E

D

P

X

T

I

C

Z

T

X

L

G

L

F

I

T

C

E

V

T

S

P

S

F

R

P

K

L

O

E

L

T

I

N

C

P

R

M

B

N

N

N

A

S

S

V

V

D

I

S

G

K

I

N

I

N

D

G

T

T

E

O

L

Y

B

O

H

I

U

C

K

X

I

T

I

H

T

L

S

I

O

D

C

Z

R

L

X

R

S

F

N

A

Z

M

S

A

S

O

I

S

M

U

E

Z

V

U

E

L

B

K

P

I

A

E

T

Y

X

S

N

J

G

C

E

C

V

T

G

Z

G

R

E

T

C

Q

B

N

C

S

B

B

Y

T

R

X

U

I

T

A

T

E

G

X

V

I

Y

A

G

S

V

O

H

R

T

E

R

S

G

I

A

L

D

D

K

G

G

S

J

P

J

P

O

V

H

X

V

N

F

R

T

Y

V

K

R

U

L

Y

X

W

O

I

J

G

I

T

G

A

A

R

G

P

H

S

K

W

Y

U

X

K

Q

V

P

P

V

E

G

S

F

K

Z

X

A

V

B

J

H

Y

I

O

Z

V

Q

Z

184

Physiological process of the uterus returning to be a pelvic organ.

Often detected within the antenatal period but may occur postnatally.

May manifest with a pyrexia, inflammation and painful breasts.

The hormone secreted by the posterior pituitary gland at the initiation of the baby sucking at the breast.

Three words used to describe the stages and colour of lochia.

May be detected from newborn bloodspot screening.

May present clinically as; a tender uterus on abdominal palpation, excessive and or offensive lochia and or pyrexia.