OB Mod V Terms

Question 1

Afterpains

Answer 1

Cramplike pains due to contractions of the uterus that occur after childbirth. |They are more common in multiparas, tend to be most severe during nursing, and last 2 to 3 days.

Question 2

Becoming a mother (BAM)

Answer 2

|Alternative term for maternal role attainment (MRA). The transitional process of becoming a mother that changes throughout the maternal-child relationship.

Question 3

Boggy uterus (uterine atony)

Answer 3

A term used to describe the uterine fundus when it is not firmly contracted after the birth of the baby and in the early postpartum period; excessive bleeding occurs from the placental site, and maternal hemorrhage may occur.

Question 4

Diastasis recti abdominis

Answer 4

Separation of the recti abdominis muscles along the median line. In women, it is seen with repeated childbirths or multiple gestations. In the newborn, it is usually caused by incomplete development.

Question 5

En face

Answer 5

An assumed position in which one person looks at another and maintains his or her face in the same vertical plane as that of the other.

Question 6

Engrossment

Answer 6

Characteristic sense of absorption, preoccupation, and interest in the infant demonstrated by fathers during early contact with their infants.

Question 7

Fundus

Answer 7

The upper portion of the uterus between the fallopian tubes.

Question 8

Involution

Answer 8

Rolling or turning inward; the reduction in size of the uterus following childbirth.

Question 9

Lochia

Answer 9

Maternal discharge of blood, mucus, and tissue from the uterus; may last for several weeks after birth.

Question 10

Lochia alba

Answer 10

White vaginal discharge that follows lochia serosa and that lasts from about the 10th to the 21st day after birth.

Question 11

Lochia rubra

Answer 11

Red, blood-tinged vaginal discharge that occurs following birth and lasts 2 to 4 days.

Question 12

Lochia serosa

Answer 12

Pink, serous, and blood-tinged vaginal discharge that follows lochia rubra and lasts until the 7th to 10th day after birth.

Question 13

Postpartum blues

Answer 13

A maternal adjustment reaction occurring in the first few postpartum days, characterized by mild depression, tearfulness, anxiety, headache, and irritability. Also called adjustment reaction with depressed mood.

Question 14

Puerperium

Answer 14

The period after completion of the third stage of labor until involution of the uterus is complete, usually 6 weeks.

Question 15

Reciprocity

Answer 15

An interactional cycle that occurs simultaneously between mother and infant. It involves mutual cuing behaviors, expectancy, rhythmicity, and synchrony.

Question 16

Subinvolution

Answer 16

Failure of a part to return to its normal size after functional enlargement, such as failure of the uterus to return to normal size after pregnancy.

Question 17

Continuous epidural infusion (CEI)

Answer 17

Postcesarean pain control technique in which the epidural catheter is left in place and medication is continually administered via an electric pump.

Question 18

Co-sleeping

Answer 18

Practice whereby children and parents regularly sleep together in an adult space.

Question 19

Couplet care

Answer 19

A form of health care that is focused on keeping the mother and baby together as much as the mother desires. Also known as mother-baby care, this type of care provides increased opportunities for parent-child interaction because the newborn shares the mother’s room and they are cared for togetherl. Mother-baby care enables the mother to have time to bond with her baby and learn to care for her or him in a supportive environment.

Question 20

Late preterm infant

Answer 20

Infants born between 34 and 37 weeks’ gestation. These infants are at a greater risk for increases in mortality and morbidity bacause they are physically not mature and are more prone to have physiologic and metabolic complications.

Question 21

Mother-baby care

Answer 21

A type of family health care that is focused on keeping the mother and baby together as much as the mother desires. Also known as couplet care, it provides increased opprotunities for parent-child interaction because the newborn shares the mother’s room and they are cared for together. Mother-baby care enables the mother to have time to bond with her baby and learn to care for her or him in a supportive environment.

Question 22

Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA)

Answer 22

A method of pain control where anesthesia, usually morphine or meperidine, is initially administered by the anesthesiologist and subsequent doses are self-administered by pushing a button controlled by a special IV pump system.

Question 23

Postpartum home care

Answer 23

Visits to postpartum families that occur in the home setting. This provides opportunities for expanding information and reinforcing self-and infant care techniques initially presented in the birth setting.

Question 24

Shaken baby injuries

Answer 24

A collection of symptoms that are caused by vigorously shaking an infant. Shaking can cause brain hemorrhage, spinal cord injury, retinal hemorrhage or detachment, long-term spinal cord injury, retinal hemorrhage or detachment, long-term developmental problems, intellecutal disability, or even death.

Question 25

Tummy time

Answer 25

Prone positioning of the infant while awake. Important for all babies because it assists them with learning developmentally appropriate skills and builds muscle strength for their shoulders, neck, and back.

Question 26

Adjustment reaction with depressed mood

Answer 26

A maternal adjustment reaction occurring in the first few postpartum days, characterized by mild depression, tearfulness, anxiety, headache, and irritability. Also called postpartum blues.

Question 27

Early (primary) postpartum hemorrhage

Answer 27

A loss of blood of greater than 500 mL following birth. The hemorrhage is classified as early if it occurs within the first 24 hours.

Question 28

Endometritis (metritis)

Answer 28

An inflammation of the endometrium portion of the uterine lining.

Question 29

Late (secondary) postpartum hemorrhage

Answer 29

A loss of blood of greater than 500 mL following birth. The hemorrhage is classified as late if it occurs from 24 hours to 6 weeks after birth.

Question 30

Mastitis

Answer 30

Inflammation of the breast.

Question 31

Pelvic cellulitis (parametritis)

Answer 31

Inflammation of the parametiral layer of the uterus.

Question 32

Peripartum major mood episodes (postpartum depression)

Answer 32

A form of postpartum psychiatric disorder characterized by depressive moods that the mother experiences after the birth of a child. The periods of greatest risk occur around the fourth week, just before the initiation of menses, and upon weaning. Also called postpartum depression.

Question 33

Peritonitis

Answer 33

Infection involving the peritoneal cavity.

Question 34

Postpartum blues

Answer 34

A maternal adjustment reaction occurring in the first few postpartum days, characterized by mild depression, tearfulness, anxiety, headache, and irritability. Same as adjustment reaction with depressed mood.

Question 35

Postpartum mood episodes with psychotic features

Answer 35

Relatively rare but serious psychiatric disorder of the postpartum woman that can result in infanticide or suicide.

Question 36

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Answer 36

Intense psychologic distress resulting from a traumatic event and evidenced by recurrent, intrusive thoughts; flashbacks, persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma; a generalized feeling of “numbness”; and persistent signs of arousal.

Question 37

Puerperal infection

Answer 37

Infection of the reproductive tract associated with childbirth; occurs any time up to 6 weeks postpartum.

Question 38

Puerperal morbidity

Answer 38

A maternal temperature of 38 degrees C (100.4 degrees F) or higher on any 2 of the first 10 postpartum days, excluding the first 24 hours. The temperature is to be taken by mouth at least 4 times per day.

Question 39

Subinvolution

Answer 39

Failure of a part to return to its normal size after functional enlargement, such as failure of the uterus to return to normal size after pregnancy.

Question 40

Thrombophlebitis

Answer 40

Inflammation of a vein wall, resulting in thrombus.

Question 41

Uterine atony

Answer 41

Relaxation of uterine muscle tone following birth.