Obstetrics and Gynecology - A.M. Gromova 2000

Clinical Course and Management of the Postpartum Period
Management of the Postpartum Period
Postpartum Hygiene Care

Maintaining the external genitalia clean is of great importance within the set of measures aimed at ensuring a normal postpartum period.

Lochia contain a high number of microbes; therefore, they not only contaminate the genitalia and irritate the Skin, but also facilitate the penetration of infection into the birth canal. This is why thorough hygiene of the external genitalia is crucial. During the first three days, it is performed three times a day or more frequently if necessary; thereafter, twice a day, as well as after every bowel movement.

When performing hygiene care in bed, a warmed individual bedpan is placed under the parturient woman's pelvis, and she is asked to urinate. The midwife fills an Esmarch mug with a warm disinfecting solution (potassium permanganate 1:400, furatsilin solution 1:5000, or chamomile decoction) and pours it over the external genitalia in a downward direction, using a sterile cotton swab held by sterile ring forceps. The external genitalia are then dried with a sterile pad.

If the new mother has sutures in the perineal region, they must be kept dry. To achieve this, secretions near the sutures are gently rinsed away, sterile cotton swabs on tweezers are applied (without rubbing), and the suture area is then carefully treated with a 5% alcoholic solution of iodine. The sutures are removed on the 5th postpartum day. If redness or purulent plaque appears around the sutures, they should be removed, and the purulent ulcers treated accordingly.