Ch 17 Postpartum book key points Flashcards
The postpartal period (puerperium)
the 6-week period after childbirth
“taking-in”, “taking-hold”, and “letting-go” phases
Women move through an initial “taking-in” phase, in which they are dependent; dependent; a “taking-hold” phase, in which they manifest independence; and a “letting-go” phase, in which the mother role is finally defined.
Rooming-in is the preferred healthcare agency arrangement for postpartal families because ___.
it allows a new family the best chance for quality interaction and promote breastfeeding (Baby-Friendly USA, n.d.; Holmes et al., 2013).
The more time new parents spend with a newborn, the more likely it is that effective bonding will occur.
Help parents to feel comfortable with their newborn by offering anticipatory guidance and role modeling infant care as this not only helps in planning nursing care that meets QSEN competencies but also best meets the family’s total needs.
“Postpartal blues”
a normal accompaniment to childbirth. You can assure a woman that such feelings are normal and offer supportive care until the emotion passes.
Uterine involution
the process whereby the uterus returns to its prepregnant state
A uterus decreases in size one fingerbreadth (1 cm) a day until it disappears under the pubic bone at about day 10.
Lochia
the name of the vaginal flow after childbirth
The flow is lochia rubra (red) for the first 1 to 3 days,
lochia serosa (pink to brown) on days 4 through 10,
and lochia alba (white) until 2 to 6 weeks after the birth.
A woman is at great risk for ___ in the postpartal period, so assessments done to reveal this are some of the most critical assessments made in nursing. Do not discount the importance of these assessments because the overall content of the postpartal period is so focused on wellness.
hemorrhage
Lactation
is the production of breast milk.
Colostrum is present ____, and
milk forms on the____.
immediately after birth;
third to fourth postpartal day
A feeling of fullness and firmness on the day milk forms is termed___; if warmth and discomfort occur, it is termed___.
filling;
engorgement
Assessing the (4) is crucial in the early postpartum period.
mother’s milk production,
infant’s latch,
painful nipples, and
ability to transfer milk
Women may need various comfort measures to alleviate pain from ___.
uterine pain (afterpains) and breast tenderness.
Application of cold or heat and administration of analgesics are important nursing interventions.
Women need to learn about self-care before healthcare agency discharge, so they can
maintain self-care at home.
A follow-up telephone call or home visit can be helpful to answer questions.
All women should conscientiously return for a health assessment visit at ___.
6 weeks after childbirth to be certain their reproductive organs have returned to their nonpregnant state.
Menstrual flow should return within ___.
6 to 10 weeks in the nonbreastfeeding mother or after 3 to 4 months in the breastfeeding mother.
