Chapters 13, 14, 16, 17, 18 Flashcards
(119 cards)
afterpains (afterbirth pains)
Painful uterine cramps that occur intermittently for approximately 2 - 3 days after birth and that result from contractile efforts of the uterus to return to its normal involuted condition.
autolysis
the self-destruction of excess hypertrophied tissue
diastasis recti abdominis
separation of the two rectus muscles along the median line of the abdominal wall
involution
return of the uterus to a nonpregnant state after birth. Begins immediately after expulsion of the placenta.
lochia
vaginal discharge during the puerperium consisting of blood, tissue, and mucous
lochia alba
thin, yellowish to white, vaginal discharge that follows lochia serosa on approximately the tenth day after birth and may last from 2 to 6 weeks postpartum
lochia rubra
red, distinctly blood-tinged vaginal flow that follows birth and lasts 2 to 4 days
lochia serosa
serous, pinkish brown, watery vaginal discharge that follows lochia rubra until approximately the tenth day after birth.
pelvic relaxation
lengthening and weakening of the fascial supports of pelvic structures
puerperium
period between the birth of the newborn and the return of the reproductive organs to their normal nonpregnant state; fourth trimester of pregnancy
(typically 6 weeks, but time can vary)
subinvolution
failure of the uterus to reduce to its normal size and condition after pregnancy
At the end of the 3rd stage of labor, where should the uterus be located?
midline, approximately 2 cm below the level of the umbilicus.
12 hours after delivery the fundus can be palpated where?
the level of the umbilicus, possibly slightly above or below. After that fundus descends approximately 1 cm every day.
when should the uterus no longer be palpable abdominably?
2 week after birth
when should the uterus return to its pre-pregnancy state?
6 weeks after birth
What causes autolysis?
decrease in estrogen and progesterone after birth
lochial bleeding
Lochia usually trickles from the vaginal opening. The steady flow increases as the uterus contracts. A gush of lochia may result as the uterus is massaged. If the lochia is dark in color, it has been pooled in the relaxed vagina, and the amount soon lessens to a trickle of bright red lochia ( in the early puerperium)
non-lochial bleeding
if the bloody discharge spurts from the vagina, damage to a blood vessel may have occurred during birth. If so, some of the bleeding is not just normal lochial flow. If the amount of bleeding continues to be excessive and bright red, a vaginal or cervical tear may be the source.
Ovulation after birth
- can occur as soon as 27 days after birth in non-lactating women. With a mean time of 70 -75 days. menstruation typically resumes within 4-6 weeks.
- lactating women ovulation typically occurs at 6 months
postpartal diuresis
profuse diaphoresis often occurs, especially at night, for the first 2 or 3 days after childbirth.
Three postpartal physiologic changes protect the woman by increasing the circulating blood volume
- elimination of uteroplacental circulation reduces the size of the maternal vascular bed by 10-15%.
- loss of placental endocrine function removes the stimulus for vasodilation.
- mobilization of extravascular water stored during pregnancy occurs. In fact, by the 3rd postpartum day the plasma volume has been replenished as extravascular fluid returns to the intravascular space.
Transient anemia
after childbirth the total blood volume declines by approximately 16% from its predelivery value. Should return to normal within 8 weeks post partum
Normal WBC values afterbirth
it is not uncommon for values between 20,000 and 25,000
Temperature
Normal findings after Childbirth
Temp during first 24 hours may rise to 100.4F as a result of dehydrating effects of labor or a consequence of epidural anesthesia. After 24 hours the woman should be afebrile.