Abstract / Summary
Background : The immediate postpartum period is marked by intense physiological and socio-emotional changes, requiring comprehensive and humanized care. In this context, nursing theories provide the necessary foundation to enhance the quality of care during this period Objective : To identify in the scientific literature how theoretical frameworks are used in nursing care during the immediate postpartum period Methods : An integrative review was conducted between September and November 2025. The literature search was performed in the CAPES Journal Portal, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, Web of Science, Scopus, Scientific Electronic Library Online, CINAHL, and the Nursing Database, using the descriptors “immediate postpartum period,” “nursing theory,” and “nursing care” and their synonyms, combined with the Boolean operators AND and OR. Original open-access articles that addressed the research question were included. Duplicate studies, reviews, and other types of grey literature were excluded. Categorical analysis and simple descriptive statistics were performed Results : Nine articles met the eligibility criteria. Five central themes emerged regarding the use of nursing theories in the immediate postpartum period: guiding the Nursing Care Systematization process; measuring and evaluating care and the nurse–postpartum woman relationship; guiding care in home and clinical settings; and understanding postpartum women’s perceptions of the care environment Conclusions : The application of theoretical frameworks in the immediate postpartum period reinforces person-centered care, values the therapeutic relationship, and promotes a holistic understanding of postpartum women’s needs, strengthening their incorporation into practice, education, and the expansion of research on maternal outcomes. Registration : not registered.