Training of Roma Health Mediators in Reproductive Health

Trainer document
WOMEN’S NEEDS DURING THE POSTPARTUM PERIOD
Rest: After childbirth, which is a great physical effort, the woman needs to rest so that
she can become strong and healthy again.
Work, physical activities, exercises: In the first 2-3 days after childbirth, it’s good for
the woman to rest and to move only for basic needs and for breastfeeding. Gradually, she
will start to do usually activities, avoiding hard work; probably she will need support
from family, relatives and/or friends.
Women may start physical exercises for perineal (pelvic) muscles the day after delivery,
increasing the number of times she contracts them each day,. She may also practice
exercises for abdominal muscles. The doctor will advise her how to do this.
Better diet: A new mother needs the same healthy foods she needed when she was
pregnant. If she is breastfeeding her baby, she should eat more body-building foods such
as beans, pulses, milk, eggs, and meat. She should also eat more protective foods such as
green vegetables and fruits. She should drink plenty of fluids. She should drink at least
one glass of milk a day, if possible. She should drink a glass of fluid every time she
breastfeeds her baby (6-8 glasses per day).
Extra iron and folic acid: A lactating woman needs more iron and folic acid than most
diets can provide. Iron and folic acid prevent anemia. A woman taking supplemental iron
will have black stools. This causes no harm. Tell her to expect dark stools.
Cleanliness: During this period, the woman is very prone to infections and needs to be
safeguarded against them. A clean room with fresh air and sunshine, clean bed and
bedding, and clean clothes are required. Use of clean cloth or sanitary napkin is essential.
Daily baths are needed to keep her body, especially the external genitalia and breasts,
clean.
Resumption of intercourse: Abstinence from sex or use of condoms helps in protecting
her from infection during this period; once a woman's lochia (postpartum vaginal
discharge) has ceased to flow and once she is comfortable doing so (i.e. any lacerations
she may have sustained have healed), she may resume intercourse as desired. If she does
not meet the LAM criteria, she should be sure to use an appropriate contraceptive
method.
Avoidance of potentially harmful practices
As in the case of pregnancy, women should be strongly advised to avoid harmful
practices like smoking (even passive smoking) and drinking alcohol because of the
adverse effects on fetal development and health.
• Avoid smoking
When a postpartum woman smokes, her baby smokes with her, because the
nicotine is present in her milk. If she smokes while caring for her baby, the baby
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RFHI/JSI Romania Training of RHMs in Reproductive Health Session 7: Postpartum Care