Postpartum Maternal and Newborn Discharge

Objective: To summarize the evidence available with regard to discharge planning for mothers and newborns. Outcome: Assessment of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality as it relates to length of hospital stay. Evidence: A Medline database search of articles from January 1995 to December 2004, using the key words early postpartum discharge. Recommendations 1. Early discharge from hospital postnatally increases the risk of neonatal mortality and morbidity. Follow-up programs should take account of this. (II-2B) 2. The physical, psychological, and social wellbeing of the mother and newborn must be assessed when discharge planning takes place. Primiparous, young, single women are most likely to return to emergency departments with their neonates. (II-2A) 3. Programs in place for postpartum care in the community are well used and appreciated. Additional programs in the community may decrease neonatal mortality, morbidity, and readmissions. (II-2) Validation: This policy statement was approved by the Clinical Practice Obstetrics Committee and the Executive Committee of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada.