Maternal self-care in the early postpartum period: An integrative review

While there are many studies on maternal needs for long-term postpartum care, the early postpartum period is just as vital. The needs of mothers immediately after birth can be divided into three categories: universal self-care needs, developmental self-care needs, and health self-care needs. Universal self-care needs refer to needs possessed by all people such as eating, sleeping, maintaining personal hygiene, and running a household. Developmental self-care needs refer to new needs brought upon by giving birth including childcare, finding a new routine, and reestablishing other life roles. Health self-care needs refer to any potential injuries or pain in the postpartum period including discomfort after birth, breastfeeding problems, and judging maternal and infant illness.