What is a primary role of a midwife in postpartum care?

In postpartum care, a primary role of a midwife is to monitor maternal recovery. This involves assessing the physical and emotional well-being of the mother after childbirth, ensuring that she is healing properly and identifying any potential complications early on. Midwives are trained to recognize signs of normal recovery as well as red flags that may indicate issues such as infection, excessive bleeding, or postpartum depression.

Monitoring maternal recovery includes evaluating vital signs, uterine involution, lochia, and the general emotional state of the mother, which are all crucial for the overall health and well-being of the postpartum individual. By effectively conducting this monitoring, midwives can provide support and intervention when necessary, ensuring that mothers receive optimal care during the critical postpartum period.