18 Post-Partum Period Flashcards
What is the post-partum period defined as?
Delivery of placenta–> 6 weeks after
Body returns to pre-pregnancy state
When is a the post-natal examination of the mother usually carried out (by the GP) and what does it involve?
When?
6 weeks
What?
- BP
- Breast examination
- Abdominal examination
- Pelvic and perineal examination
- Mental well-being
What is lochia? How many women will still be experiencing lochia at 6 weeks post partum? (out of 10)
Bleeding post-partum
(discharge after giving birth, containing blood, mucus, and uterine tissue)
1/10 women post partum- experience lochia
If a mother is not breast feeding, menstruation will return by 6 weeks postpartum. This may be delayed in mothers who are nursing. What psycological changes can accompany this period?
- Elation
- Anxiety
- Protectiveness
- Overwhelming responsibility
- Rejection of baby
Low levels of which hormone cause the female body to revert back to pre-pregnancy state? (Changes: Lower genital tract, haematological, endocrine, CVS function, skeletal muscle, ligaments laxity)
Low levels of oestrogen
Fill in the missing labels:
What can happen if there is inadequate uterine contraction after delivery?
Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH)
=potentially fatal
=obstetric emergency - prevent major blood loss and CVS shock
What are the 4 causes of Postpartum Haemorrhage (4T’s)
- Tone (atony-muscle has lost its strength)
- Tissue (retained placenta)
- Thrombin
- Trauma
What are the 2 most likely causes of secondary haemorrhage post partum (typically presents in primary care- after mother has gone home)?
- Infection (endometritis)
- Retained products of conception
List some of the common problems that can occur in the post partum period (think CVS, infection)
Outline the metal health issues that can affect the mother in the post partum period: (4)
Puerperal= post partum period
During pregnancy, the full development of the breast is facilitated by 4 hormones. What are these hormones?
Oestrogen
Progesterone
Prolactin
hPL (human placental lactogen)
What are the 4 functions of hormones than affect the breasts?
How does breast milk protect a baby from infection?
What is puerperal mastitis? How is it caused? How is it treated?
What drug type can be given to artificially supress lactation?
Dopamine agonists
Dopamine aka prolactin inhibiting hormone (PIH)
Outline the mechanism of lactation (prolactin and oxytocin)
Colostrum= first form of milk production
Prolactin stimulates glands of produce milk
Oxytocin stimulates milk let down
How does cessation of lactation occur?
- Milk accumulates in breast alveoli
- Distention and atrophy of glandular epithelium
- Local mechanical factors- supress milk secretion
- (rather than hormonal changes)
Where is prolactin and oxytocin produced and released from?
Prolactin: produced in anterior pituitary and released from there
Oxytocin: produced in hypothalamus and released from posterior pituitary
