Midterm test Flashcards
Gravida
Number of pregnancies
Para
Number of deliveries
Postpartum assessment: B- U- B- B- L- E- H- E- B-
B- Breasts U- Uterus B- Bladder B- Bowels L- Lochia E- Episiotomy or incisions H- Homans/leg exam E- Emotions B- Bonding
Retrogressive
Back to pre-pregnancy stage
Postpartum period
The first 6 weeks after birth
Involution
The reduction in size of the uterus after birth, and it’s return to the pre-pregnant state.
After birth the uterus descends how much per day?
1-2 cm per day
Cannot palpate abdominally after 9th day.
Uterine contractions after birth?
Strong for 1-2 hours- compress blood vessels and control bleeding, oxytocin released from pituitary to strengthen & coordinate contractions
Placental site after birth?
Vasoconstriction begins immediately
Regeneration by exfoliation of placental site in 6 weeks.
Endometrial regeneration by 3rd week.
Lochia-Uterine discharge after birth?
Consists of blood and tissue.
Rubra (red), fleshy odor - first 3-4 days.
Serosa (pinkish or brown)- 3-19 days.
Alba (yellow to white)- 10 days/2-6 weeks.
What do you need to chart about the amount of Lochia?
Scant: less than 2 in stain within 1 hr.
Small: 2-4 in within 1 hr.
Moderate: 4-6 in within 1 hr.
Heavy: 6 in or more within 1 hr.
Uterine atony
Inability of the uterus to contract.
- Bleeding dark red with clots, uterus is soft and boggy.
Retaining placenta
Bleeding dark red with clots, uterus is soft and boggy.
Lacerations of cervix or vagina
Bleeding is bright red, uterus is firm and contracted.
Risk factors for uterine atony?
-Uterine overdistension (large baby, multiple gestation).
-Bladder distention.
-Prolonged first and/or second stage labor.
-Precipitous labor.
-Labor induction and augmentation.
-Tocolytic therapy (esp mag sulfate).
-High parity.
Prolonged third stage of labor.
Diastasis Recti
Abdominal muscles may be separated. Can improve with exercise.
After birth estrogen and progesterone?
Decrease and triggers diuresis.
At birth placental hormones?
Rapidly decrease: hcg, estrogen, progesterone, and human placental lactogen. (these are prolactin inhibiting)
Pituitary hormones: prolactin?
Increased prolactin during pregnancy and postpartum suppresses ovulation.
-FSH increases as estrogen and progesterone disappear, but the presence of high levels of prolactin inhibit the ovary from responding and making more follicles.
Prolactin is affected by the frequency and the duration of breastfeeding.
If not lactating prolactin does what?
-Prolactin nearly gone by 3 weeks postpartum.
How soon after birth will ovulation happen if breastfeeding or not breast-feeding?
- Ovulation occurs approximately 27 days postpartum if not breastfeeding.
- A lactating woman will ovulate approximately 12 weeks-18 months postpartum.
Hemorrhage
Loss of >500 mL or more of blood considered hemorrhage.
Blood volume after birth?
Most extra blood volume is eliminated within 2 weeks.
Volume is completely normalized within 6 months.
Cardiac output after delivery?
Increases 30-60% immediately after delivery…
- Increased flow back to the heart from uteroplacental unit-back to central circulation.
- Decreased pressure from the uterus on vessels.
- Mobilization of excess extracellular fluid into vascular compartment.