Please help with Postpartum assessment!

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I have my postpartum rotation in two days and I have to fill some papers, I will do vitals, etc. but I need more ideas in what else can I do. I have to choose two patients, one with lady partsl delivery and the other one with C-section, but I will chose them the same day so I do not have much time to prepare much. If someone with a good experience in postpartum can help me and give me options or advice, I will appreciate it a lot!!! :)

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Specializes in OR-ortho, neuro, trauma.

During our maternity rotation we were allowed to do vitals on mom and baby, assessments on both, baths for the baby, injections if needed for mom and baby. Knowing what you will be asked to do can help you to prepare for the rotation. Have fun! I loved maternity!

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Thanks for your input, I am trying to figure it out what I will do during the day, but I am pretty sure that I will love it since I love babies!!

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you can assess bonding of mother/infant, father/infant. There are different stages of bonding

Teaching is big if these are new parents - nursing/bottle feedings, newborn sleep/eat patterns, home safety, car seat safety, bathing, diapering, s/s of infx for the mom, what's her body image?

Are there siblings at home, how do they feel about being the big brother/sister? where will everyone sleep?

meds Mom may be taking, do they interfere with breastfeeding? Oh - and the all important fundal and lochia assessments

that's all i can think of for starters...

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Thank you very much for your ideas, I will definitely focus in mother/newborn father/newborn bonding and the overall situation.

Appreciate your input.

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The way I was taught to do pp assessments was BUBBLE-HEB. The only thing missing is listen to lung sounds on a c/s mom & assessing pain. BREAST UTERUS BLADDER BOWEL LOCHIA EPISIOTOMY / INCISION BONDING EMOTIONS HOMAN'S SIGN

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Do they still do Homan's sign on postpartum?

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Specializes in Telemetry, Med Surg.
Do they still do Homan's sign on postpartum?

Just finished my maternity rotation and we did it. The nurses on the floor don't do it unless students are there, though. :)

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Do they still do Homan's sign on postpartum?

No, it can dislodge a clot. I've done rotation at three different hospitals, and they no longer use this method. Our books state otherwise. Just check with your instructor or hospital policy.

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.
Do they still do Homan's sign on postpartum?

When I was in OB which was about 3 years ago, we did Homan's sign. Since then doing Homan's sign is controversial because it can dislodge a clot if a patient has one. Check with hospital policy and see what they do.

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The way I was taught to do pp assessments was BUBBLE-HEB. The only thing missing is listen to lung sounds on a c/s mom & assessing pain. BREAST UTERUS BLADDER BOWEL LOCHIA EPISIOTOMY / INCISION BONDING EMOTIONS HOMAN'S SIGN

This is also how I learned to do pp assessments.... I am currently taking OB.

1)Assess breast for engorgement.

2)Assess uterus for involution.

3)Bladder-usually mothers will have catheters.Assess for anything abnormal:blood in urine,I&O,etc..

4)Bowel-Assess for passage of flatus... Defection... Review when these should occur.

5)Lochia-discharge(rubra, serosa,etc...)

6)Episiotomy/Incision- remember REEDA

7)Bonding/emotions- Is mom happy,feeding infant? Or, is mother distant? Observe for postpartum depression...

8)Homan's-Assess pedal pulses,edema,etc...

Before you enter pts room,review chart for type of delivery,any complications,etc....

I'm sure there is more...

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