Physiology Of Puerperium Flashcards
During the puerperium what areas can be a cause of infection?
- raw placental sire
- Lochia
- wouds/ trauma to perineium
- ragged membranes
Name some signs of sepsis
- high temperature <38’C
- low temperature > 36’C
- tachycardia
- abdominal pain
- extreme sleepiness
- tachypnoea ( fast breathing )
What impact does haemodynamic alternations have on the heart?
Stroke volume and cardiac output raised for 48 hours
During the puerperium, withdrawal from oestrogen caused diuresis to occur. Where does this fluid come from and how long does it last?
Plasma volume, last up to one week and can loose up to 2 litres
How many days does it take for the uterus to return to the pelvis?
10 days
How much does the uterus approx way at 6 weeks Post partum
60kg
What is the definition of ischaemia?
Where the myometrium constricts the blood vessels causing the blood circulating the uterus to reduce
What is the definition of autolysis?
Muscle fibres are digested by proteolytic enzymes and macrophages
The waste products pass into the blood stream and are eliminated by kidneys
What is the definition of phagocytosis?
Removal of excess fibrous and elastic tissue.
Sometimes some elastic tissue can remain so the uterus cannot return to pre- pregnancy state
Why might the uterus be slow to involute?
Large baby
Multiple pregnancy
Poly
Retained placenta
Blood clots / infection
Describe the colour and content of the three stages of lochia.
- lochia rubra ( red): contains amnion, chorion, vernix, meconium. Around 1-3 days
- lochia serosa ( pink): contains cervical mucus, decides, micro-organisms ( 4-10 days)
- lochia alba ( white): contains leukocytes, cells, mucus bacteria, epithelial cells ( 11-21 days)
What might heavy bleeding be a sign of?
Retained placenta
What can ovulation start if a women isn’t breastfeeding?
5 weeks
Can ovulation start before menstruation?
Yes
When does FSH and LH levels resume?
4-6 weeks
