Fatigue in postpartum women.

Childbirth and the responsibilities of parenting after birth require a great deal of energy. Fatigue in postpartum women is a concern for maternal-child nurses because of the impact on the health and parenting ability of the mother. To determine fatigue levels and types, 35 women who vaginally delivered were surveyed at 2 days, 2 weeks, and 6 weeks postpartum. This sample was found to be mildly fatigued, with situational and/or psychological fatigue. Nurses can intervene by assessing postpartum fatigue and using teaching/counseling methods for knowledge preparation and for clients at risk.