Care for postpartum woman in a hospital context: Contributions from a focus group

Abstract

Introduction: The puerperal period is a demanding phase, associated with intense biological, psychological and social transformations for women, requiring new adaptations to return to their pre-pregnancy condition.

Objectives: To define guidelines for the standardization of nursing care for the puerperal woman and to develop a clinical pathway to support clinical decision-making and documentation by the nurse midwife in postpartum care.

Methodology: Qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study using focus groups as a data collection technique, with an intentional sample of fifteen nurse midwives. The data was collected and organized, subjected to content analysis and grouped into categories.

Results: One category emerged from the analysis of the data: "Promotion of women's wellbeing”, with the subcategories: "care practices in women's self-care", "women's health surveillance practices and preparation for hospital leave" and "breastfeeding". The data collected was agreed upon by 87% of the nurse midwives.

Conclusion: The nurse midwives have a fundamental role to play in implementing interventions that are appropriate to women's care needs, while also maximizing health outcomes. The use of a flowchart allows information to be systematized and facilitates the care process and the standardization of nursing records.