maternal Flashcards
how to monitor blood loss in post partum mothers?
weigh pads/gause before and after
what should be assessed in the pad of a post partum mother?
lochia/blood: colour, amount, consistency, presence of leukocytes
what to look for in cerebral edema post partum?
change in LOC, mental status, attitude, behaviours
what are safe medications to give post partum?
oxytocin, iron vitamins, docusate, ibuprofen, zuranolone
why is oxytocin given post partum?
to constrict vascular tissue to stop bleeding and increase BP
why are iron vitamins given post partum?
promote immune fn, anemia, oxygen sats, wound healing
why is docusate given post partum?
stool softener
why is zuranolone given post partum?
new class, neuroactive steroid, new treatment
what does massaging the uterus do for the mother?
helps with uterine contraction and atony
how can lochia become brown and foul smelling?
fragments of placenta can stay and get necrotic allowing for bacteria to grow
what is considered a normal temperature for a mother 1-2 days post partum?
38 and up
- any longer is sign of infection
what food should be recommended post partum to strengthen immune response and wound healing?
increase vitamin, iron and protein rich food
what is puerperal bradycardia that can occur post partum?
pulse will be elevated for first hour after birth and may gradually drop to 40-50 beats due to baroreceptor activation
why is pulmonary hypertension common after birth?
rapid fluid replacement, BP returns to normal 2 days after birth
- orthostatic hypotension can also be common after birth
what exercise are recommended post partum?
kegal exercises
what are kegal exercises?
done by flexing/contracting the muscles that support the pelvic floor, helps with post partum incontinence, trying to stop urine flow
- 15 mins twice daily
what assessments does the mother need post partum?
vitals, ht an wt, heart/lungs/extremities, skin (edema, rashes), amount/quality of body hair, thyroid gland, breasts, ht of fundus, tone of pelvic musculature, size of uterus, vaginal exam
physical assessments during labour:
general systems assessment and fetal status, uterine contractions and vaginal exam
