reproductive health services for adolescents - Pathfinder International

Module 16/Unit 12
Specific Objective #3: Recognize adolescent needs during the
postpartum period
CONTENT
Knowledge/Attitudes/Skills
IMMEDIATE POSTPARTUM CARE
• As with most new mothers, the
adolescent will be concerned if the
baby is not close to her.
• After the birth of the baby, the young
mother’s body goes through another
set of dramatic, physical changes and
a wide range of emotional responses
such as pride, a feeling of
accomplishment, fatigue, and
hormonal shifts.
• Adolescent mothers have the
compound challenge of continuing to
establish their own identify while they
adjust to the role of being a mother.
• The first hour after birth is a highly
sensitive period for maternal-child
bonding. Take every opportunity to
facilitate and support this bonding
process. Keep mother and baby
together as much as possible,
conduct the preliminary infant
examination in the presence of the
mother (and support person), and
include her.
Training/Learning Methods
(Time Required)
DISCUSSION (25 MIN.)
The trainer should:
• Present the first three bullets under
Immediate Postpartum Care.
Ask Px, what can the provider do in
the first hour of the postpartum period
to facilitate mother-child bonding
• Use the content on the left-hand side
of the page to supplement answers.
Ask Px, what else should be included
in immediate postpartum care
• Present the first two paragraphs
under Postpartum Period.
Ask Px, what might the adolescent
mother be feeling in the postpartum
period This question should elicit a
discussion around postpartum blues
and other concerns that the
adolescent mother may have.
Ask Px, what is the provider's role
during the postpartum period
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Show her unique aspects of her
baby.
Have her touch the baby’s head,
feel molding, count fingers/toes.
Point out to her the baby’s normal
reflexes.
Assist the mother to breastfeed
successfully with correct
attachment, taking baby off the
• Use the content on the left-hand side
of the page to supplement answers.
Pathfinder International
170
Adolescent Curriculum