mod 8 post partum care Flashcards
What is Mastitis, and when do you typically see it?
Mastitis is an infection of the breast tissue with potential for abscess formation
less than 1% require hospitalization
Symptoms rarely occur during the first week postpartum, and it most commonly occurs during the first 2 months postpartum
The most common offending organism is staphylococcus aures
What risk factors lead to mastitis?
- milk stasis in the duct
- poor handwashing
- cracking or dry nipples
- prolonged breast engorgement
- briusing from rough manipulation
- failing to break the baby’s attachement to the areola and nipple from removing from breast
What are common symptoms of mastitis?
- bilateral breast engorgement
- unilateral breast pain
- fever
- red streaks
- flu like symptoms
- axillary lymphadenopathy
What are some differential diagnosis for Mastitis?
- Breast engorgement (bilateral presentation of pain)
- Breast Abscess (purulent discharge from nipple, blue hue of the skin over the area of abscess)
If your patient has mastitis, can they still breastfeed?
yes they must, the milk is not infected it is safe for the baby
What is the difference between post partum depression and baby blues?
baby blues occurs between birth and 14 days postpartum
Baby blues: not a psychiatric disorder; mood lability resolves within days.
How would you use the Edinburgh post natal depression score?
if the patient scores above 10, they should be assessed for post partum depression
If the patient selects YES to q. 10 then its a red flag (SI) must be seen asap/emerg
What are some symptoms of post partum depression?
- poor memory
- fatigue
- Tearfulness
- Anxiety
- Headaches
- Guilt/worrying
What are some risk factors for post partum depression?
single parent
Less than 20 years of age
poor relationship with father of the baby
Financial difficulties
Lack of support at home
What is post partum psychosis?
extreme emotional liability, agitation, delusions, hallucinations, and sleep disturbances
This is a psychiatric emergency because of the rare but serious risk of suicide and/or infanticide.
Often occurs 2-4 weeks postpartum
What is postpartum Thyroiditis
Postpartum thyroiditis is a destructive thyroiditis induced by an autoimmune mechanism within one year after parturition. Postpartum thyroiditis can also occur after spontaneous or induced abortion
If you suspect postpartum depression what other differential is important to rule out
Post partum thyroiditis!
Order TSH T3 and T4
What is Iochia ? And what would be normal vs abnormal?
Normal lochia is brown and light after two weeks
and finished by 6-8 weeks.
⦁ Refer urgently to a maternity provider if fever is present, pain and
cramping are persistent, or lochia is heavy, persistent beyond 6 weeks, frequently bright red or has a foul odour
why is breastfeeding important?
- perfect nutrition for baby to grow
- protection with passive immunity
- easily accessible to baby
- beneficial to the mother protects against breast/ovarian cancer, diabetes, and heart disease
- builds bond to the baby and mother
What tips can you provide a mother who is struggling to breastfeed?
- hand express the milk from the breast prior starting the feed
- increase frequency of feeding
- burp baby frequently during each feed
- Take steps to make the breast a positive place for the infant. This includes skin-to-skin contact or co-bathing to
trigger instinctive breastfeeding. - Consider limiting the number of people who are feeding the infant (if applicable) to only the breastfeeding person
