[Puerperium with short-term hospitalization]

Seventy seven cases with discharge before 12 hours post-partum and 240 cases with discharge after 24 or more hours after delivery, were evaluated at Hospital General de México, in an observational, prospective, cohort, study in low risk deliveries. Both groups were reviewed ten days after delivery. There were no different ratios for abnormal uterine hemorrhage, urinary tract infection or endometritis. Thrombophlebitis was more frequent in early discharge patients, both statistically and clinically significant (RR3.58, CI95% 1.48-8.67, P = 0.003). This finding is discussed, as well as measures to prevent it. It is concluded that early discharge programs in low risk conditions, are convenient.