Course Summary

Postpartum care of the woman and care of the newborn infant typically involves a six-week period after birth for ongoing medical or midwifery care and follow-up during the mother’s transition back to a non-pregnant state. However, the health needs of mom and baby begin during the prenatal phase and can continue longer than this six-week time frame. Much of the physical care focuses on the prevention of hemorrhage and infection. As per current recommendations, the mother’s mental health should be screened for symptoms of anxiety and depression. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has published recommendations and guidelines for postpartum women to help guide clinicians in their selection of appropriate screening tools and treatment options. Since the year 2000, the United States has fallen to be the last of industrialized nations for maternal mortality, with levels increasing and great racial disparities.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

• Introduction
• The Postpartum Mother
  • After Delivery
  • Postpartum Clinical Assessments
  • Postpartum Complications
  • Obstetrical Care and Education
  • Case Study: Postpartum Depression
• The Newborn
  • Clinical Assessment
  • Newborn Complications
• Clinical Care, Education, and Support of the Newborn
• Case Study:  Neonatal Jaundice
  • Patient Health Questionnaire-2
  • Patient Health Questionnaire 9
•  Summary

Authors

Sarah Schulze, MSN, APRN, CPNP

Sarah Schulze is a board certified pediatric nurse practitioner and professional medical content writer. She earned her BSN from Indiana State University and her MSN from University of Illinois at Chicago. In clinical practice as an RN and NP, she has experience in a variety of settings; including critical care, PACU, pediatrics, mental health, and lactation support. She currently owns and operates a private practice providing outpatient mental health services to children and adolescents. As a writer, she has developed content for many CEU courses, medical apps, health education curricula, NCLEX study materials, health blogs, and more.

Melanie Lee, MSN, PHN

Melanie Lee has a Masters of Science in Nursing, emphasis Community Health from Case Western Reserve University with an extensive history of working with families and community support. She has worked with the life spectrum as a Certified Nurse-Midwife and Family Nurse Practitioner, Licensed School Nurse and now Community Health Nurse emphasizing psychiatric and long term disability support.  Melanie spends most of her days gardening for the bees and butterflies next to her lake home with four-footed friends and family.