UK Student Midwife seeking info on postnatal care in US

sloakridge · Jan 7, 2006

Welcome! I've been in mother/baby nursing for 20 years, and have worked in Washington State, U.S. Virgin Islands, Chicago far west suburbs and California. I'd be glad to answer some specific questions, as i've seen quite a range of care provided in mid-size community not-for-profit hospitals in these areas over the years. I remember while i was getting my BSN a fellow student (British, male) had been working in the "Post-Partum Depression" unit of a hospital in England - i was so impressed that such a unit existed when postpartum depression was hardly even recognized here. Good luck, and hang in there - i love being a nurse, and i still remember how hard it was getting through school!

Editorial Team / Admin · Jan 7, 2006

i'm a student midwife in the uk and i'm trying to find out about postnatal care abroad. i am wondering about the us and how it differs from what we do here inthe uk.
i'm interested in what care is aimed at women postnatally and who is responsible for undertaking and/or overseeing the care.
if there are any texts, articles or websites that you could recommend also i'd be greatful.
:wink2: thanks.

hello, kira-dylan,

welcome to allnurses.com

we in the usa go by the acog (american college of obstetricians and gynecologists)

http://www.acog.org/

and the awhonn (association of women's health, obstetric and neonatal nurses) standards.

http://www.awhonn.org/

as for care after delivery and after the woman is discharged from the hospital, a physician, np and in some states, midwife provides care. the original physician/np/cnm who provided the care and the delivery will manage up until the 6 weeks pp. if the ob/np/cnm remains as pcp (primary care provider), then, the woman may receive care throughout. but, many woman choose to see their own pcp, a physician or np providing family practice care. most ob's will only provide care to the gravida from the first ob visit through 6 weeks pp.

kira-dylan · Jan 11, 2006

Thanks for your replies. I will have a look at those sites. I am surprised that postnatal depression is given a lower priority over there than here. Is it something that you feel needs to be addressed?

Editorial Team / Admin · Jan 11, 2006

thanks for your replies. i will have a look at those sites. i am surprised that postnatal depression is given a lower priority over there than here. is it something that you feel needs to be addressed?

hello, kira-dylan,

here it is a recognizable disorder but i know it is underrecognized and therefore, undertreated.

i'm not sure if you remember a horrible incident a few years back when a postpartum mother killed her five children. there has been an increased awareness since then. here is the link to the story:

http://www.cnn.com/specials/2001/yates/

also, good articles from emedicine and medscape:

http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic3408.htm

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/433013?srcmp=wh-051002&weblogicsession=pomkgzp9tdl6iegorok0tiemjxgsxofzkumus9vrqwqkwlupfhko|-8522389079175654903/-1408233355/6/7001/7001/7002/7002/7001/-1