Early hospital discharge and early puerperal complications

To evaluate the association between time of postpartum discharge and symptoms indicative of complications during the first postpartum week.

Women with vaginal delivery at a Mexico City public hospital, without complications before the hospital discharge, were interviewed seven days after delivery. Time of postpartum discharge was classified as early (<24 hours) or late (>25 hours). The dependent variable was defined as the occurrence and severity of puerperal complication symptoms.

Out of 303 women, 208 (68%) were discharged early. However, women with early discharge and satisfactory prenatal care had lower odds of presenting symptoms in early puerperium than women without early discharge and inadequate prenatal care (OR 0.36; 95% confidence intervals = 0.17-0.76).

There was no association between early discharge and symptoms of complications during the first postpartum week; the odds of complications were lower for mothers with early discharge and satisfactory prenatal care.