OB Final Flashcards
Involution
the return of the uterus to a non pregnant state after birth; begins immediately after the expulsion of the placenta with contraction of the uterine smooth muscle.
Subinvolution
the failure of the uterus to return to a non pregnant state due to ineffective uterine contractions; most common cause is retained placental fragments and infection.
About how much does the uterus weigh at the end of the third stage of labor? About how much is the non pregnant weight?
approximately 1000 g
approximately 100 g
About how long does it take the uterus to return to its prepregnancy size and weight?
4 weeks postpartum
About how fast is the progression of involution?
Involution progresses rapidly during the days following birth. The fundus descends 1 to 2 cm every 24 hours.
How long does it take for the endometrium to regenerate after birth?
Endometrial regeneration begins within 3 days after birth and is completed by the third week.
How long does it take for the placental site to regenerate after birth?
Regeneration at the placental site is complete by the sixth week.
What is the appearance and contents of rubra lochia and at what time after birth is it expected?
Appearance: bright red
Contents: blood from placental site; trophoblastic tissue debris, vernix, lanugo, meconium.
Timing: 1-3 days after birth
What is the appearance and contents of serosa lochia and at what time after birth is it expected?
Appearance: pinkish brown
Contents: blood, wound exudate, RBCs, WBCs, trophoblastic tissue debris, cervical mucus, microorganisms.
Timing: 4-10 days after birth
What is the appearance and contents of alba lochia and at what time after birth is it expected?
Appearance: whitish-yellow
Contents: WBCs, trophoblastic tissue debris
Timing: 10-14 days after birth (can last 3-6 weeks)
How long can it take supportive tissues of the pelvic floor that are torn or stretched during birth to regain tone?
up to 6 months
What does the hormone prolactin do?
stimulates milk production
When does prolactin decrease in non-lactating women?
3 weeks postpartum
When does ovulation occur again postpartum in non-lactating women?
27 days after birth
When does ovulation occur again postpartum in lactating women?
70-75 days after birth
What can cause bladder distention after birth?
decreased voiding combined with postpartal diuresis (increased production of urine) can result in bladder distention.
What problem is associated with bladder distention after birth?
excessive bleeding because it pushes the uterus up and to the side and prevents it from contracting firmly.
With adequate bladder emptying, about how long does it take for bladder tone to be restored after birth?
5-7 days
stress incontinence
unintentional loss of urine
About how long does it take to have a BM after birth?
2-3 days
When can colostrum be expressed from the breasts?
During the first 24 hours after birth
About how long does it take for the colostrum to transition to breast milk?
72 to 96 hours
What are normal changes that can be noted in vital signs after birth?
Temp: increase to 100.4
Pulse: elevated for the first hour then gradually decreases over the first 48 hours postpartum; Puerperal bradycardia is common.
Respirations: normal
Blood pressure: can show a transient increase over the first few days after birth
What sign might indicate gestational hypertension or preeclampsia?
two blood pressure readings of >140/90 at least 4 hours apart
What might be some causes of headaches after birth within the first postpartum week?
preeclampsia, stress, cerebrospinal fluid leakage into extradural space from epidural placement.
Melasma persists in about what percentage of women after birth?
30%
Which vital sign deviates from the normal reading as a result of sepsis?
a. Temperature
b. Respirations
c. Blood pressure (BP)
d. Pulse
a. Temperature
A Correct: A diagnosis of puerperal sepsis is suggested if a rise in maternal temperature to 38° C is noted after the first 24 hours after childbirth and recurs or persists for 2 days. Other possible causes are mastitis, endometritis, and urinary tract or other systemic infections.
B Incorrect: Hypoventilation may follow an unusually high spinal block or epidural narcotic after cesarean birth.
C Incorrect: A low or decreasing BP may reflect hypovolemia secondary to hemorrhage. An increased reading may result from excessive use of vasopressor or oxytocic medications.
D Incorrect: A rapid pulse rate or one that is increasing may indicate hypovolemia as a result of hemorrhage.
Newborns and Mothers Health Protection Act of 1996 provides for lengths of stay of up to how long?
96 hours
What is the average length of stay for a vaginal delivery?
48 hours
What is the average length of stay for a cesarean delivery?
96 hours
What do nursing interventions for a postpartum woman focus on in regards to bladder distention?
helping the woman empty her bladder spontaneously as soon as possible.
When is the ideal time to initiate breastfeeding?
within the first 1 to 2 hours after birth.
What vaccines are suggested for postpartum women if they have not had them previously?
Rubella
Varicella
Tdap
Rh imune globulin
When is Rhogam given?
within 72 hours after birth prior to discharge
What is the dosage of Rhogam given?
300 mcg IM
What does Rhogam do?
prevents sensitization in the Rh-negative woman who has had a fetomaternal transfusion of Rh-positive fetal red blood cells; promotes lysis of fetal Rh-postiive blood cells before the mother forms her own antibodies against them.
Postpartum fatigue (PPF) is more than just feeling tired; it is a complex phenomenon affected by a combination of physiologic, psychologic, and situational variables. Which of these is not a contributing factor to PPF?
a. Long labor or cesarean birth
b. Infant care demands
c. Social isolation due to lack of visitors
d. Anemia or infection
c.Social isolation due to lack of visitors
A Incorrect: Physical fatigue or exhaustion may be associated with long labors or cesarean births.
B Incorrect: Hospital routines and infant care demands such as breastfeeding may contribute to maternal fatigue.
C Correct: Well-intentioned visitors can interrupt periods of rest both in the hospital or at home. Nurses may be asked to limit visitors and phone calls in order for the woman to rest. PPF is recognized as a risk factor for postpartum depression.
D Incorrect: Fatigue is associated with anemia, infection, and thyroid dysfunction.
How much blood loss defines a postpartum hemorrhage after a vaginal delivery?
> 500mL
How much blood loss defines a postpartum hemorrhage after a cesarean delivery?
> 1000mL
How is early postpartum hemorrhage classified?
occurs within 24 hours of the birth
How is late postpartum hemorrhage classified?
occurs more than 24 hours but less than 6 weeks after the birth
subinvolution
a medical condition in which after childbirth, the uterus does not return to its normal size.
How is subinvolution treated?
It depends on the cause. Ergotrate or Methergine is often recommended; Dilation and curettage may be performed to remove retained placental fragments or debride the placental site; Antibiotic therapy may be needed if the cause is infection.
What is the most common cause of late postpartum hemorrhage?
subinvolution - delayed return of the enlarged uterus to non pregnant size and function
What is the most common cause of early postpartum hemorrhage?
uterine atony
What factors put you at the highest risk of uterine atony?
preeclampsia and on mag
What conditions are associated with uterine atony?
high parity polyhydramnios fetal macrosomia obesity multiple gestations
retained placenta
When the placenta has not been expelled within 30 minutes after birth despite an upright posture of the woman, gently traction on the umbilical cord, and uterine massage.