Cardiac output in the immediate postpartum period is generally:

In the immediate postpartum period, cardiac output increases due to several physiological changes that occur in the body following childbirth. After the delivery of the placenta, there is a significant decrease in intra-abdominal pressure, which allows the blood that was previously sequestered in the uterine vascular bed to return to the systemic circulation. This increase in circulating blood volume contributes to a rise in cardiac output. Additionally, hormonal changes and the restoration of blood volume can also enhance cardiac performance.

This increase is a normal physiological response as the body adapts to the sudden changes and transitions from pregnancy to the postpartum state. It is important to recognize that this increase in cardiac output is a part of the body's effort to stabilize hemodynamics and ensure adequate perfusion to vital organs after the stress of labor and delivery.

Understanding this physiological adaptation is crucial, especially when monitoring postpartum patients for signs of complications such as hemorrhage or cardiovascular instability. The normal elevation of cardiac output in this period helps provide insights into maternal health and recovery, necessitating close observation and assessment.