Evidence-Based Nursing Assessment and Management of Minor Puerperal Disorders: A Narrative Clinical Review for Postpartum Practice

Background: The puerperium is a critical transitional period characterized by physiological involution, endocrine shifts, lactation initiation, and psychosocial adaptation. While major postpartum complications receive substantial clinical attention, minor puerperal disorders remain highly prevalent and significantly influence maternal comfort, breastfeeding success, mobility, sleep quality, and psychological well-being. Structured nursing guidance for systematic assessment and management of these conditions is inconsistently emphasized in routine postpartum care. Objective: To synthesize contemporary evidence on the assessment and nursing management of common minor disorders during the puerperium and to provide clinically applicable recommendations for postpartum practice. Methods: A non-systematic narrative clinical review was conducted using PubMed and CINAHL databases for English-language publications between January 2018 and March 2025, with emphasis on studies published from 2020 onward. The initial search yielded 59 records; 28 full-text articles were screened, and 13 recent high-quality studies and major clinical guidelines were purposively selected based on methodological rigor, recency, and relevance to nursing care. Evidence was integrated descriptively to generate structured clinical recommendations. Formal PRISMA reporting and structured risk-of-bias appraisal were not undertaken, consistent with the narrative design. Results: Frequently reported minor puerperal disorders include perineal pain, afterpains, breast engorgement, nipple trauma, constipation, hemorrhoids, urinary retention, urinary incontinence, postpartum fatigue, and postpartum blues. Evidence supports implementation of structured symptom-based assessment, breastfeeding optimization strategies, pelvic floor muscle training, dietary and hydration counseling, early mobilization, and psychological screening as core nursing interventions. Standardized postpartum assessment frameworks enhance early detection of deviations and reduce risk of progression to significant morbidity. Conclusion: Minor puerperal disorders represent clinically meaningful indicators of maternal recovery rather than trivial postpartum discomforts. Integrating structured, evidence-based nursing assessment frameworks into routine postpartum care strengthens maternal recovery, supports breastfeeding continuity, and contributes to quality improvement in postnatal services.