Postpartum & neonate complications Flashcards
(71 cards)
what is the definition of postpartum hemorrhage in general vs. actual definition
- general: >500mL for vaginal deliveries, >1,000mL for c-section with a 10% drop in H&H
- definition: >1,000mL with s/s of hypovolemia within 24hrs
what is the primary source of blood loss in PPH
the placental site
what are the 4 main causes of PPH in descending order of frequency
- Tone: uterine atony
- Tissue: retained uterine fragments
- Trauma: lacerations
- Thrombin disorders
what are some pre-existing risk factors for PPH
- high parity: 5+ births
- previous PPH
- previous uterine sx
- coagulation defects
what are some pregnancy-related risk factors for PPH
- uterine overdistension: macrosomia, multiple gestation, polyhydramnios
- chorioamnionitis
- placental abnormalities: precenta previa/accreta, abriptio placentae, hydatidiform mole
what is the main difference between primary and secondary PPH
Primary (early)
- occurs within 24 hrs of birth
Secondary (late)
- occurs 24hrs to 6 wks post delivery
what are the causes of primary PPH
- uterine atony
- lacerations
- hematomas
what are the causes of secondary PPH
- hematomas
- subinvolution
- retained placental tissue
what are the indications of primary PPH
aka S/S
- 10% decrease in H&H after birth
- saturation of peripad within 15 mins
- boggy fundus after massage
- late signs: tachycardia & hypotension
how do you measure blood loss from peripads
weigh them 1g = 1mL
what are the causes of uterine atony
- overdistended uterus: multiparity, macrosomia
- birth >5 times
- prolonged or dysfunctional labor
what are S/S of uterine atony
- soft boggy uterus
- saturation of peripad in 15mins
- blood clots
- pale, clammy skin
- anxiety & confusion
- tachycardia & hypotension
what are the medications used for uterine atony
- oxytocin
- methergine
- misoprostol
- carboprost
- TXA (antifibrinolytic)
when is bimanual compression performed
when uterotonics fail to stop the bleeding
what are the treatments/managements for uterine atony
- meds
- bimanual compression
- IV NS/LR
- platelets, FFP, cryo
- uterine packing with gauze or uterine tamponade
- sx: dilation and curettage, hysterectomy
what is dilation and curettage (D&C)
surgical procedure where:
cervix is dilated and a curette is used to scrape or suction tissue from the uterus
what are common causes of hematomas
- episiotomies
- operative vaginal deliveries: forceps, vacuum-assisted birth
S/S of hematomas
- severe pain not managed by pain meds
- heaviness or fullness in the vagina
- rectal pressure
- swelling, discoloration, tenderness
- tachycardia & hypotension
how can a hematoma contribute to PPH
if large, a hematoma can displace the uterus -> uterine atony and increased blood loss
how are large hematomas managed
surgical excision - open vessel ligated and blood is evacuated
nursing actions for hematoma
- apply ice to the perineum for the first 24hrs
- monitor pain and VS
- monitor H&H
what are causes of subinvolution of the uterus
- fibroids: interefere w/ UCs
- endometritis
- retained placental tissue
S/S of subinvolution of the uterus
- soft and larger than normal uterus
- lochia returns to rubra stage
- back pain
what diagnostic test is used to assess subinvolution of the uterus
US to check for retained tissue and subinvolution