Abstract

These three articles are about the postpartum uterus, its involution and how this is recorded by midwives and described by the women themselves. Purpose of the study: Midwives use an assessment of uterine fundal height in the postnatal period to establish that women in their care are recovering from childbirth and to detect deviations from this normal process. However, the value of this assessment as a screening measure to predict or prevent women from developing subsequent morbidity had not been established. There is also a lack of information about the normal pattern of postnatal uterine involution and vaginal loss. Midwifery practice is changing to reflect the need to involve women in their care at all stages of childbirth' and it is important to evaluate both traditional and emerging practices in the clinical field. We therefore undertook a research study into the routine assessment by midwives of postpartum uterine involution and a survey of women's experiences of vaginal loss from 24 hours to three months after childbirth. [Extract from the article]