6 C's - Care,
Compassion,
Competence,
Communication,
Courage,
Commitment
1.Contiunity of care (as her CMW she knows me already)
2.Congratulate her on the birth & ask her about her birth experience, listen to her recount events
3.Try to answers any questions she may have
4.Ask her how she adjusting to life as a mother, how is she feeling emotionally, bonding/emotional attachment
5.Ask about family/partner support
6.Assess the living environment for risks - smoking, pets etc
7.Review purple notes
8.Wash hands, Encourage empty bladder, gain consent and perform routine postnatal examination
B-breasts,
U-uterus,
B-bowels,
B-bladder,
L-lochia
E-Episiotomy
(Perineum) Pain,
Temp,aches,
pains, legs. All to
rule out
infections e.g.
sepsis
9. BREASTS - Looking for tenderness, pain, blisters, visible bleeding,
lumps etc, all via word of mouth from mom
10.UTERUS - Ensure the bladder is emptied, ensure private environment & comfortable position. Ask woman to lift/lower clothing. Inspection & Palpation. Locate fundus - Any pain or
tenderness should be noted. After delivery uterus should be palpable at the umilicus. Should involute gradually daily, until day 10 when it has returned to its pre-pregnancy size and
position in the pelvis (NICE)
11.BLADDER - Ensure its regularly emptied and no urinary incontinence is recorded
12.BOWELS - Ensure bowels are open regularly, no faecal incontinence is reported
13.LOCHIA - 3-4 days lochia should be Rubra, moderate, lessening and changing colour over time. No offensive smell
should be present
14. PERINEUM - Assess perineal trauma for signs of infection or signs of healing. NICE recommends we ask all women about perineal
discomfort regardless of trauma. Healing should occur in 7-10
15.AFTER PAINS - Advise that afterpains are normal. Take appropriate analgesic (prior to BF) as it is production of oxytocin in relation to let
down response that initiates contraction in the uterus and causes pain
19.Important for mother to know that breast do not store large amounts of milk. Breast milk is produced constantly in small amounts
20.PHYSIOLOGY OF LACTATION - Prolactin is responsible for breasmilk production. Prolactin & suckling initiates lactation. Prolactin levels are highest at night,
21.OXYTOCIN - Responsible for mil ejection - let down reflex. Earlydays let down reflext stimulated by infant suckling and mother seeing, touching, hearing and smelling her baby. Inhibited
by stress and anxiety. Oxytocin is responsible for dilating blood vessels in maternal chest meaning mothers transfer warmth to their babies. Oxytocin contributes to increased maternal
interaction and bonding and enhances sense of wellbeing
22. Encourage skin to skin as it encourages prolactin and oxytocin release encouraging BF
23.Reiterate importance of good P & A, show positions, observe a whole feed, importance of 8 feeds in 24hrs.
24.Document contemporaneously as per NICE guidelines - Explain what you have written and why. Follow BFI & Unicef guidance
25.Arrange next appointment & ensure that she has emergency contacts
26.Artificially feeding - Support her choice, encourage her and ensure that milk is prepared correctly.