Chapter 13

Question 1

Puerperium

Answer 1

The time after childbirth, lasting approximately 6 weeks, during which the anatomic and psychologic changes brought about by pregnancy resolve and a woman adjusts to the new or expanded responsibilities of motherhood.

Question 2

Doula

Answer 2

A trained support person employed to provide labor and postpartum support.

Question 3

Infertility

Answer 3

The condition of being unable to produce offspring.

Question 4

Braxton Hicks Contractions

Answer 4

Irregular usually mild uterine contractions that occur throughout pregnancy and become stronger in the last trimester. May be confused with true or false labor.

Question 5

Lactation

Answer 5

The process of synthesis and secretion of milk from the breasts in the nourishment of an infant or child.

Question 6

Menopause

Answer 6

Strictly, the cessation of menses, but commonly referring to the period of the female climacteric. Menses stop naturally with the decline of cyclic hormonal production and usually between 45 and 55 years of age but may stop earlier as a result of illness, surgery, or for unknown reasons. As the production of ovarian estrogen and pituitary gonadotropins decreases, ovulation and menstruation becomes less frequent and eventually stop. Fluctuations in the circulating levels of these hormones occur as the levels decline. Hot flashes are a common symptom of menopause.

Question 7

Climacteric

Answer 7

Physiological, developmental change that occurs in the male reproductive system between the ages of 45 and 60.