COGNITIVE DEFICITS IN WOMEN AFTER CHILDBIRTH

Objective: To test the cognitive function of parturients in the days i mmediately after delivery. Methods: One hundred postpartum mothers who delivered normal full-term infants were tested on standardized neurop sychological tests-the Wechsler Logical Memory Test and the Wechsler V isual Reproduction Test. Their test results were compared with those o f nonpregnant childless women, third-trimester high-risk pregnant wome n, and fathers of newborns. Results: Postpartum women scored significa ntly lower than nonpregnant women on both tests on the first postpartu m day. The use of intrapartum analgesia mitigated the cognitive defici t. High-risk pregnant women and fathers scored lower than nonpregnant women only on the Logical Memory Test. Conclusion: Objective documenta tion that postpartum women have transient deficits in cognitive functi on, particularly in memory function, can guide caretakers in the desig n of care plans for the postpartum lying-in period.