Complications of the Postpartum Period
SPECIFIC LEARNING OBJECTIVES for MDWF 3050:
At the completion of this course, the students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills in the following areas:
● Clinical management of complications in the first few hours after birth.
● Clinical management of complications in the first eight weeks after birth.
● Complications in the postpartum period including when to refer to other care providers and when to activate EMS.
● Clinical management of the following conditions:
o Postpartum Hypertension and Preeclampsia
o Endometritis
o PP hemorrhage
o Cystocele
o Rectocele –incontinence (feces or urine) and fistula, bowel problems
o Urinary retention – principles of elimination, management–micturition & catheterization
o Perineal pain and dyspareunia
o Retained products of conception, D + E
o Subinvolution
o Gallbladder disease
o Cesarean recovery including wound infection, principles of infection control–need to obtain
● Clinical management of complications in the first few hours after birth.
● Clinical management of complications in the first eight weeks after birth.
● Complications in the postpartum period including when to refer to other care providers and when to activate EMS.
● Clinical management of the following conditions:
o Postpartum Hypertension and Preeclampsia
o Endometritis
o PP hemorrhage
o Cystocele
o Rectocele –incontinence (feces or urine) and fistula, bowel problems
o Urinary retention – principles of elimination, management–micturition & catheterization
o Perineal pain and dyspareunia
o Retained products of conception, D + E
o Subinvolution
o Gallbladder disease
o Cesarean recovery including wound infection, principles of infection control–need to obtain
swab, principles of wound management–principles of wound healing
o Postpartum thyroid conditions
o Mastitis/Cellulitis
o Hematoma
o Postpartum hemorrhage/late postpartum hemorrhage
o Postpartum thyroid conditions
o Mastitis/Cellulitis
o Hematoma
o Postpartum hemorrhage/late postpartum hemorrhage
o DVT/Thrombophlebitis/PE
o UTI/Kidney Infection/Cystitis/Urethritis
o Postpartum Mood Disorders including PP depression, PP Anxiety, PP OCD, and PP psychosis
o Mental illness and complex childhood trauma/PTSD
o Maternal HIB, HIV, TB, Hep B and C including prevention of transmission to midwives and
o UTI/Kidney Infection/Cystitis/Urethritis
o Postpartum Mood Disorders including PP depression, PP Anxiety, PP OCD, and PP psychosis
o Mental illness and complex childhood trauma/PTSD
o Maternal HIB, HIV, TB, Hep B and C including prevention of transmission to midwives and
assistants
o Postpartum anemia
● Management of the following:
o Substance abuse risk factors
● Management of the following:
o Substance abuse risk factors
o Child abuse/neglect risk factors
o Domestic partner abuse
o Transport etiquette
● Management of birth trauma associated with:
● Management of birth trauma associated with:
o Shoulder dystocia
o PP hemorrhage
o Manual removal of placenta
o Fetal demise
o Family and others showing up uninvited and not behaving appropriately during birth
o Mismatch for the client of their attendant/midwife/student
o Sexual abuse trauma arising during birth
