Normal Puerperium & Lactation Flashcards
a normal puerperium lasts how long?
postpartum period lasting 6-12 wks
changes of pregnancy are reversed
immediate puerperium occurs when?
first 24 hrs after parturition
early puerperium occurs when?
24 hrs to 1 wk postpartum
breast milk comes in
remote puerperium occurs when?
period of time required for genital organ involution & return of menses; usually 1st wk to 6th wks
what happens during the immediate puerperium period?
dictated by events of delivery, type of anesthesia or analgesia, complications during delivery
BP & pulse every 15 minutes (preeclampsia can occur up to 6 wks postpartum)
maternal temp at least every 4 hrs (big one is endometritis)
post anesthesia care provided by anesthesiologist or obstetrician
why do we take mom’s temp so often after delivery?
watching for endometritis
what are some of the physical changes that occur during immediate puerperium
placental delivery & involution begins
uterine involution- UCs regular, strong, coordinated, begin to decrease about 12 hrs postpartum
postpartum chills may last up to 60 min
bladder issues during immediate puerperium
urinary stasis
proteinuria
incomplete bladder emptying for 1-2 days
after pains
cramping that occurs during breast feeding- means uterus is contracting down on self
what occurs during early puerperium
cervix gradually closes vagina, perineum, pelvic musculature decrease to nml size, increase in tone episiotomy/tears heal lochia rubra lochia serosa lochia alba
lochia rubra
postpartum vaginal d/c heavies in the first 3-4 days
lochia serosa
more serous, mucopurulent vaginal d/c from 3-4 days to 2-3 wks postpartum
lochia alba
thicker, mucoid, yellowish-white vaginal d/c from 2-3 wks to 5-6 wks postpartum
what occurs during remote puerperium
uterine involution complete by 6-8 wks
lochia ceases about 5-6 wks postpartum
striae fade from red to silver but are permanent
hair pattern returns to nml over 6-15 months pp(postpartum)
when does ovulation begin after birth
can begin as early as 27 days after delivery
avg. 70-75 days in nonlactating woman
avg 6 mo in lactating woman
when doe menstruation begin after birth
at 7-12 wks in nonlacting mothers & as late as 36 mo in breastfeeding mothers
postpartum care
encourage early father/partner involvement
skin-to-skin contact w/ baby should occur in <1hr; rooming-in should be encouraged & supported; support & reassurance to new parents is important; imp. for mother to sleep & regain strength, recover from labor; regular diet ad lib; stool softener PRN; early ambulation encouraged to prevent thrombophlebitits; shower ad lib; IV rehydration PRN
care of the vulva
teach pt to cleanse vulva from anterior to anus, look for signs of infxn; apply ice bag to perineum 1st 24 hrs post delivery; warm sitz baths beginning 24 hrs after delivery; oral analgesics often required; pelvic muscle exercises may be helpful
care of bladder
encourage pt to void as ASAP after delivery; cath placement may be necessary if voiding is too difficult: trauma to bladder during L&D, regional anesthesia, vulvar/perneal pain/swelling or episiotomy
care of breasts
if going to bf, it is ideal to begin on-demand bf <1 hr post delivery; well fitting brassiere very important;
what do you do if pt is not going to bf
ice packs & analgeisics for engorgement if not bf- lactation suppression meds discouraged
avoid nipple stim
milk prod. should stop w/in a wk
postpartum fever
temp >/= 38C (100.4F) on 2 occasions 6 hrs apart
nursery should be notified of maternal fever, esp. in 1st 24 hrs post delivery
look for s/sx of infxns
what are some s/sx of infxn w/ a postpartum fever
enometritis mastitis UTI thrombophlebitis infected tear/ surgical site complications of anesthesia *labs: CBC, UA, others as indicated
suggestion for icing perineum
frozen giant maxipad with witch hazel frozen into it