Answer:
Although today the decrease in the incidence of postpartum infection has been significant, even in less developed countries, there are still practices common in mothers (first-timers most of all), especially right after delivery, that can increase the possibility of infection.
The postpartum period is a really vulnerable moment for women, as their bodies are still fighting to recover hormonal stability and the disbalance not only decreases the effectivity of the immune system, but makes them more vulnerable to hospital-acquired infections. Also, because these women tend to shed so much fluid during postpartum, especially in their private parts, these parts become more prone to invite bacteria to invade.
As such, a nurse that cares for women during postpartum should apply the following to prevent infection in these patients: a) Having staff members with conditions such as strep throat, conjunctivitis, and diarrhea stay home, because these are pretty infectious conditions and these women will catch them fast. b) Not allowing the mother to walk barefoot at the hospital. First, because of the risk of lesions due to contact with objects on the floor, second, because the floor is already a medium to pass bacteria, and three, because the mother will enter with her dirty feet into the bed and contaminate them, thus allowing bacteria access to invade. C) Not allowing visitors with coughs or colds to enter the postpartum unit and E) Instructing the mother to change her peri pad from front to back each time she voids or defecates.
