الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
Abstract
The postpartum period is significant for the mother, baby and family for two important reasons: First, it is a time of physiological and psychological adaptation for both mother and baby. Second, it is a period of important social and emotional adjustment. The postpartum period starts about two hour after the delivery of the placenta and it lasts 6 weeks after delivery. However, the postpartum period is often neglected by maternity care in both developing and developed countries (Kyle, 2017)
In addition, women’s needs during this period have been all too often eclipsed by that attention given to pregnancy and birth. Although maternal morbidity and mortality rates remain high in the developed countries compared with other developing countries because many of the risk factors for complication associated with maternal morbidity and mortality may not clearly be identified before women’s discharge after birth. So, women need to recognize how to discover warning signs. However, the lack of postnatal care ignores the fact that the majority of maternal death and disabilities occur during the postpartum period (Sandra, 2014)
Postpartum warning signs refer to disorders of early postnatal period that are easily identified by the mother and non-clinical personnel such as mental or emotional symptoms and physical symptoms including severe vaginal bleeding, severe headache, red or swollen leg, Chest pain, shortness of breath, foul smelling vaginal discharge and fever which probably occurs during postpartum period (Gedefa, 2016).
Moreover, women and their family can recognize postpartum warning signs and promptly seek health care services, significant amount of maternal morbidity and mortality could be prevented. Therefore, increasing women’s knowledge about the postpartum warning signs would improve early detection of problems and reduce the delay in deciding to seek care (Ricci, 2017)
The present study aimed to evaluate women’s perception regarding warning signs of postpartum period.
The study design was a descriptive study design. It was conducted at postpartum inpatient units at Ain Shams University maternity hospital. Data collection started from beginning of December 2017 and finished at May 2018. A convenient sample technique was used to recruit 350 cases that represent 15% of total sample in previous year.
Tools of data collection:
- (1Interviewing questionnaire sheet for women’s named” women’s perception regarding warning signs of postpartum period” including (general characteristics of the study sample and women’s knowledge regarding warning signs of postpartum period).
2) -Likert scale to assess women’s attitude regarding warning signs of postpartum period.
The results of the study:
The results of the present study showed that concerning socio-demographic characteristics of the study subject; about half of women’s age ranged from 20 up to 29 years, the mean age was 30.48 ± 4.35 and also nearly three-fourth of women was from urban area, with more than one-third of women with university education. While majority of women’s were working and have postpartum complications.
As Regard of women’s knowledge regarding different warning signs. The result of the study revealed that (56.67, 66.0%, 66.6% 62.6%, 72.3% and 76.3%) of women had incorrect knowledge about Excess uterine discharge (Lochia), perineal pain, breast pain and DVT, Offensive odor discharge and Abnormal vital signs respectively. In addition, Three- quarter of studied sample (70.3%) had positive attitude towards postpartum warning signs.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Based on the finding of the present study, it can be concluded that the majority of women had incorrect knowledge regarding the following postpartum warning signs; Excess uterine discharge (Lochia), perineal pain, breast pain, Offensive odor discharge and abnormal vital signs. In addition to, the majority of women had positive attitude toward postpartum warning signs. So the following recommendations were suggested; First, providing pamphlets and posters for postpartum women to increase their knowledge about postpartum warning signs. Second, conducting an educational Program for Postpartum Women at Post Natal Units to improve their Knowledge about Postpartum Warning Signs.
Further studies are needed in this field:
- To assess postpartum women practice regarding warning signs