**3.7 Rest and sleep**

The woman needs adequate rest, quietness and sleep because of the hypersensitive state of her nervous system. If kept awake by some discomfort such as after pains, haemorrhoids, or engorged breasts, the nurse should treat the cause before giving analgesics. The ward should be closed morning and afternoon for 1 hour. The patient is requested to relax and keep silent if they cannot sleep. The persistent insomnia in absence of pain should be viewed as a warning sign of ensuing puerperal psychosis at times.
