[The effects, beliefs and practices of puerperal women's self-care]

The objective of this exploratory-descriptive study was to identify the beliefs, effects and practices that permeate women's self-care during puerperium. The participants were fifteen puerperal women from Rio Grande/RS. Data collection was performed in September and October of 2010 using semi-structured interviews, performed between fifteen and thirty days postpartum. Thematic analysis was used. Two categories emerged regarding self-care during puerperium, which was performed based on the family guidance received at home. One referred to restrictions, or activities that should be avoided to prevent harm; the other involved encouragement, i.e., practices that promoted benefits to the puerperal woman or newborn. This study shows the importance of professionals being aware of the quarantine period, as it is a cultural heritage that remains in effect today. In conclusion, common knowledge is highly valued by these women, and despite the need for scientific evidence supporting such knowledge it was not a trigger for problems in either the mothers or infants in this study.