Postnatal Care Terminology

Postnatal Care Terminology

Use this glossary to explain common terms patients, families, and healthcare professionals may hear when discussing care after birth, physical recovery, newborn health, feeding, mental health, and family planning.

Postnatal care, also called postpartum care, supports the health and well-being of the birthing individual and newborn after birth. Care may include physical assessments, emotional and mental health support, feeding guidance, newborn screening, contraception counseling, treatment of complications, and coordination of follow-up care. Postnatal care is an ongoing process that is tailored to the needs, preferences, culture, and circumstances of each family.

Core concepts and care providers

• Postnatal care: Healthcare and support provided after birth to assess recovery, identify concerns, support newborn health, and promote the well-being of the birthing individual and family.
• Postpartum care: Care provided after pregnancy and birth, often referring specifically to the health and recovery of the person who gave birth.
• Postnatal period: The time after birth during which the birthing individual and newborn recover, adapt, and receive follow-up care.
• Fourth trimester: The first approximately 12 weeks after birth, when the birthing individual and newborn are adapting to physical, emotional, and social changes.
• Postnatal visit: A scheduled or recommended contact with a healthcare professional to assess recovery, newborn care, feeding, mental health, and other needs.
• Postnatal care team: The healthcare professionals and support services involved in care after birth. The team may include an obstetrician-gynecologist, midwife, primary care professional, pediatrician, nurse, lactation consultant, social worker, mental health professional, and other specialists.
• Obstetrician-gynecologist (ob-gyn): A physician trained to provide care related to pregnancy, childbirth, recovery after birth, the reproductive system, and related health conditions.
• Midwife: A healthcare professional trained to provide care during pregnancy, birth, and the postnatal period within their scope of practice.
• Pediatrician: A physician who provides medical care for infants, children, and adolescents.
• Lactation consultant: A healthcare professional trained to provide guidance and support with breastfeeding, milk expression, feeding difficulties, and lactation concerns.
• Family-centered care: Care that includes parents, caregivers, and family members in communication, education, and decision-making when the person receiving care wishes.
• Postnatal care plan: A written or shared plan describing follow-up appointments, recovery needs, feeding preferences, medications, warning signs, support services, and contact information.

Physical recovery after birth

• Postpartum recovery: The physical and emotional process of healing and adapting after pregnancy and birth.
• Uterine involution: The process by which the uterus gradually returns toward its pre-pregnancy size after birth.
• Afterpains: Cramping caused by the uterus contracting as it returns toward its pre-pregnancy size. These cramps may be more noticeable during breastfeeding.
• Lochia: Vaginal bleeding and discharge after birth made up of blood, mucus, and tissue from the uterus. The amount and color generally change as recovery progresses.
• Perineum: The area of skin and muscle between the vagina and anus.
• Perineal tear: A tear in the skin or tissue around the vagina that may occur during vaginal birth. Tears are classified by their depth and location.
• Episiotomy: A surgical cut made in the perineum during birth when clinically indicated.
• Perineal repair: Closing a perineal tear or episiotomy with stitches to support healing.
• Cesarean birth: A surgical birth in which an incision is made in the abdomen and uterus to deliver the newborn.
• Cesarean incision: The surgical wound on the abdomen after a cesarean birth.
• Incision care: Cleaning, protecting, and monitoring a surgical incision for healing, drainage, separation, or signs of infection.
• Postpartum pain: Pain or discomfort after birth that may involve the abdomen, pelvis, perineum, breasts, incision, back, or another area.
• Urinary incontinence: Accidental leakage of urine after birth.
• Fecal incontinence: Accidental leakage of stool or difficulty controlling bowel movements after birth.
• Constipation: Difficult, painful, or infrequent bowel movements, which may occur after birth because of medication, reduced activity, dehydration, or fear of pain.
• Hemorrhoids: Swollen veins around the anus or lower rectum that may cause pain, itching, swelling, or bleeding.
• Pelvic floor: A group of muscles and connective tissues that support the bladder, bowel, uterus, vagina, and other pelvic organs.
• Pelvic floor therapy: Specialized exercises and treatment to support recovery of pelvic floor muscles, bladder or bowel control, pain, and physical function.

Bleeding, infection, and other medical concerns

• Postpartum bleeding: Vaginal bleeding after birth that is part of normal recovery but should be monitored for changes in amount, color, clots, odor, or associated symptoms.
• Postpartum hemorrhage: Heavy bleeding after birth that requires urgent medical assessment and treatment.
• Endometritis: Infection or inflammation of the lining of the uterus after birth.
• Wound infection: Infection involving a perineal repair, episiotomy, or cesarean incision.
• Mastitis: Inflammation of breast tissue that may cause breast pain, swelling, warmth, redness, or fever. It may or may not involve an infection.
• Postpartum hypertension: High blood pressure that occurs during or after pregnancy and may require monitoring or treatment.
• Postpartum preeclampsia: High blood pressure and signs that organs may be affected after birth. It can occur even when blood pressure was normal during pregnancy and requires prompt medical evaluation.
• Blood clot: A clump of blood that can form in a blood vessel. After birth, a clot in a deep vein may cause swelling, pain, warmth, or redness, usually in one leg.
• Pulmonary embolism: A blockage in a blood vessel in the lungs, often caused by a blood clot that traveled from another part of the body. It can cause sudden difficulty breathing, chest pain, or other serious symptoms.
• Postpartum warning signs: Symptoms that may require prompt or emergency assessment, such as heavy bleeding, severe headache, vision changes, chest pain, difficulty breathing, seizure, severe abdominal pain, fever, or thoughts of self-harm or harm to the newborn.

Breastfeeding and infant feeding

• Breastfeeding: Feeding a newborn directly from the breast.
• Chestfeeding: A term some people use for feeding a newborn from the chest or breast.
• Lactation: The process of producing breast milk.
• Colostrum: The first milk produced after birth. It is usually small in volume and rich in nutrients and immune factors.
• Mature milk: Breast milk that develops as lactation progresses after the early days following birth.
• Milk coming in: The time when milk production increases, often causing the breasts to feel fuller or firmer.
• Latch: The way a newborn attaches to the breast or chest during feeding.
• Feeding position: The way the birthing individual and newborn are arranged during breastfeeding or chestfeeding to support comfort and effective feeding.
• Milk expression: Removing milk from the breast or chest by hand or with a breast pump.
• Breast pump: A device used to remove and collect milk.
• Engorgement: Breasts or chest tissue becoming overly full, firm, swollen, or painful because of milk accumulation.
• Plugged duct: A localized area of breast or chest discomfort that may occur when milk is not draining effectively.
• Nipple or breast pain: Discomfort during or between feedings that may be related to latch, positioning, skin irritation, infection, or another cause.
• Formula feeding: Feeding a newborn with commercially prepared infant formula.
• Combination feeding: Using both human milk and infant formula to feed a newborn.
• Feeding assessment: Evaluation of the newborn’s intake, feeding cues, latch or bottle-feeding skills, swallowing, breathing, weight, and overall feeding tolerance.
• Lactation support: Education and practical assistance to help a person meet their feeding goals and address milk supply, pain, latch, pumping, or other concerns.

Newborn assessment and care

• Newborn assessment: An evaluation of the newborn’s breathing, heart rate, temperature, color, movement, feeding, weight, and other signs of health.
• Apgar score: A standardized assessment of a newborn’s color, heart rate, reflex response, muscle tone, and breathing shortly after birth.
• Newborn screening: Testing performed after birth to check for selected inherited, metabolic, endocrine, hearing, heart, or other conditions that may not be apparent immediately.
• Bilirubin: A yellow substance produced when the body breaks down old red blood cells. A high level may cause jaundice.
• Newborn jaundice: Yellowing of a newborn’s skin or the whites of the eyes caused by a high bilirubin level.
• Phototherapy: Treatment using special light to help a newborn’s body break down and remove bilirubin.
• Safe sleep: Practices intended to reduce the risk of sleep-related infant death, including placing a newborn on their back on a firm, flat sleep surface without loose bedding or soft objects.
• Skin-to-skin care: Holding a newborn directly against a parent’s or caregiver’s bare chest, with appropriate monitoring, to support warmth, bonding, feeding, and regulation.
• Umbilical cord stump: The remaining piece of the umbilical cord attached to the newborn’s navel after birth. It dries and falls away as the skin heals.
• Newborn weight monitoring: Measuring the newborn’s weight to assess feeding, hydration, growth, and recovery after birth.
• Feeding cues: Newborn behaviors that may signal hunger, such as hand-to-mouth movements, rooting, lip movements, or increased alertness.
• Pediatric medical home: An ongoing source of comprehensive, coordinated, accessible, and family-centered healthcare for a child.
• Newborn follow-up: A scheduled assessment after birth to evaluate feeding, weight, jaundice, physical health, development, and caregiver questions.

Mental and emotional health

• Postpartum mental health: Emotional and psychological well-being after birth, including mood, anxiety, sleep, stress, adjustment, and coping.
• Baby blues: A short period of mood changes, tearfulness, irritability, or feeling overwhelmed that commonly occurs in the first days after birth and usually improves within about two weeks.
• Postpartum depression: A depressive condition that can occur during pregnancy or after birth and may involve persistent sadness, loss of interest, guilt, hopelessness, sleep or appetite changes, or difficulty feeling connected.
• Postpartum anxiety: Excessive or persistent worry, fear, panic, or physical tension after birth that interferes with daily life or rest.
• Postpartum psychosis: A rare but serious mental health emergency involving symptoms such as confusion, hallucinations, delusions, severe agitation, or rapidly changing mood after birth.
• Perinatal mental health screening: Use of a validated questionnaire and clinical discussion to identify depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns during pregnancy or after birth.
• Mental health referral: Connecting a person with a therapist, psychiatrist, support program, crisis service, or other mental health professional.
• Trauma-informed care: Care that recognizes how previous or recent traumatic experiences may affect a person’s health, communication, trust, and care preferences.
• Bereavement support: Emotional, social, spiritual, and practical support after pregnancy loss, stillbirth, newborn death, or another significant loss.
• Caregiver support: Education, practical help, counseling, and other services that support parents, family members, and other caregivers.

Family planning and reproductive health

• Return to fertility: The time when ovulation and the ability to become pregnant return after birth. Ovulation may occur before the first menstrual period.
• Menstrual period after birth: The return of menstrual bleeding after pregnancy. Timing varies and may be affected by breastfeeding or chestfeeding.
• Contraception: A method used to prevent pregnancy.
• Postpartum contraception: Birth control options used after birth, selected according to health, feeding method, preferences, and reproductive goals.
• Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC): A reversible contraceptive method that provides protection for an extended period, such as an intrauterine device or contraceptive implant.
• Lactational amenorrhea method (LAM): A temporary pregnancy-prevention method based on exclusive or nearly exclusive breastfeeding or chestfeeding, absence of menstrual periods, and the newborn being younger than six months. Specific criteria must be met for it to be effective.
• Birth spacing: The time between one birth and the beginning of a subsequent pregnancy or birth. Healthcare professionals can discuss the benefits and considerations of different intervals.
• Reproductive life plan: A person-centered discussion about whether and when someone would like future pregnancies and how to support those goals.
• Sexual health after birth: Care and counseling about comfort, desire, contraception, body changes, intimacy, and resuming sexual activity after birth.

Care transitions and follow-up

• Comprehensive postnatal visit: A visit that assesses physical recovery, mood and emotional well-being, infant care and feeding, sleep and fatigue, chronic conditions, contraception, sexual health, and ongoing healthcare needs.
• Early postnatal contact: An assessment or communication soon after birth to identify urgent concerns, answer questions, and connect the family with support.
• Home visit: Postnatal care provided in the home by a healthcare professional or support service when available and appropriate.
• Remote monitoring: Tracking selected health measures, such as blood pressure, symptoms, or weight, from home with guidance from a healthcare team.
• Discharge instructions: Written or verbal information about medications, wound or perineal care, feeding, newborn care, warning signs, and follow-up.
• Return precautions: Specific symptoms that mean a person or newborn should contact a healthcare professional or seek urgent care.
• Referral: A recommendation or arrangement for evaluation, treatment, or support from another healthcare professional or service.
• Primary care transition: Connecting the birthing individual and newborn with ongoing primary care after the immediate postnatal period.
• Follow-up: Additional assessment, treatment, education, or support after a postnatal visit, hospital discharge, or identified concern.

Postnatal terminology and recommended services may vary by country, healthcare system, individual health needs, feeding preferences, and clinical guidance. A healthcare professional can explain which assessments, screenings, treatments, and follow-up services are appropriate for a particular family.