A–Z Glossary

Urinary retention

Postpartum urinary retention is difficulty or inability to empty the bladder after childbirth, sometimes related to anesthesia, swelling, trauma, or pain.

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Healing mobility and pain after assisted birth

Healing mobility and pain after assisted birth

Why mobility can be difficult after assisted birth Assisted vaginal birth may involve prolonged pushing, a clinically necessary episiotomy, perineal tears, suturing, substantial soft-tissue swelling, or pressure-related bruising. The pelvic floor and surrounding connective tissues can be temporarily inflamed and less coordinated. Abdominal and hip muscles may also be fatigued after labour, while sleep deprivation […]

Postpartum and follow-up care after assisted delivery

Postpartum and follow-up care after assisted delivery

The first hours and days after assisted delivery Immediately after birth, the clinical team usually assesses maternal vital signs, uterine tone, vaginal bleeding, perineal trauma, bladder function, and pain. The placenta should be delivered and the uterus should contract; clinicians also inspect for lacerations or an episiotomy and repair injuries when indicated. After forceps or […]

Mother monitoring and recovery immediately after birth

Mother monitoring and recovery immediately after birth

Why the immediate postpartum period matters After the placenta is delivered, the uterus must contract to compress the blood vessels at the placental site. This process, together with shifts in blood volume and vascular tone, explains why the mother can appear well yet still develop significant bleeding or cardiovascular instability. The first 24 hours therefore […]