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Family Medicine pp 131–137Cite as

Postpartum Care

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Abstract

The postpartum period, originally thought to encompass only the first 6 weeks after childbirth, frequently continues for a much longer time.1,2 It is a stage defined not only by involution of the uterus and healing of perineal tissues but also by changes in other body systems, including the breasts, endocrine organs, integument, and respiratory, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal systems. In addition, for many women the months after childbirth are characterized by profound changes in energy, mental health, and general well-being. Other family members may also experience physical and emotional changes, so the postpartum period is both an individual and a family event. To support individuals through this transition, it is important that health care providers give effective “routine” care, recognize and manage early and delayed postpartum problems as they occur, and provide education to families that optimizes their health during this time.

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Authors
  1. Dwenda K. Gjerdingen
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR, 97201, USA

    Robert B. Taylor M.D. (Professor and Chairman) (Professor and Chairman)

  2. Department of Family Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA

    Alan K. David M.D. (The Fred Lazarus, Jr., Professor and Director) (The Fred Lazarus, Jr., Professor and Director)

  3. Department of Family Medicine, St. John’s Mercy Medical Center, St. Louis, MO, 63141, USA

    Thomas A. Johnson Jr. M.D. (Chairman) (Chairman)

  4. Department of Family Medicine, University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA

    D. Melessa Phillips M.D. (Professor and Chairman) (Professor and Chairman)

  5. Department of Family Medicine, University of California—Irvine College of Medicine, Orange, CA, 92697, USA

    Joseph E. Scherger M.D., M.P.H. (Associate Dean for Primary Care and Chair) (Associate Dean for Primary Care and Chair)

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© 1998 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Gjerdingen, D.K. (1998). Postpartum Care. In: Taylor, R.B., David, A.K., Johnson, T.A., Phillips, D.M., Scherger, J.E. (eds) Family Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-2947-4_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-2947-4_15

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-2949-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-2947-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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