postnatal care and lactation Flashcards
when should we not be able to palpate the uterus in the postpartum period?
2 weeks postpartum
what is lochia?
normal vaginal blood loss consisting of decidua and leukocytes after the baby is born
what are the characteristics of normal lochia?
up to 500mls of lochia is normal
mother may bleed up to 1 month post birth
–> need to ask how much she is bleeding, the colour of the blood and whether she is having afterbirth contractions
what are some physiological changes during the postpartum period?
CV- look for a diuresis; resolution of oedema and return to normal blood volume
Genitourinary tract- risk of UTI and pyelonephritis
Hypercoagulable state- thromboembolic prophylaxis
what are the benefits of breastfeeding in babies?
Fetal benefits: Reduction in atopy, infections etc (immunological benefits) Nutritional benefits Increased IQ Reduced obesity in the long term
Maternal benefits:
reduction in rates of breast cancer, ovarian ca, CVD
?contraceptive effects
?aids maternal weight loss
what are some contraindications to breastfeeding?
if the mother has HIV and lives a resource adequate society then they shouldn’t breastfeed
if the mother is on: antineoplastic agents, ergotamine, methotrexate, cyclosporine and radiopharmaceuticals
what is ‘demand feeding’?
feeding when the baby is hungry rather than to a schedule
How is lactation maintained?
dependent on supply and demand
regular emptying of the breast and stimulation of the nipple –> maintains lactation
–> autocrine control
describe colostrum fluid?
small volume thick, yellow, Ig and lipid rich milk
–> early breastfeeding
how might we manage sore nipples due to breastfeeding?
correct positioning of infant on breast
A mother comes in worried that she has poor ‘milk supply’ and cannot breastfeed her baby adequately. What are some things you will look for in the baby that might support the mother’s concern?
-baby not growing or putting on weight
-producing infrequent small amounts of concentrated urine
(Less than 3 wet nappies per 24 hours after 72 hours age
Less than 5-6 heavy wet nappies per 24 hours after day 5)
-producing small amounts of hard green faeces
-lethargic, floppy baby; poor tone; dry mucous membranes
essentially signs of dehydration
how do we increase breastmilk supply?
more frequent feeds (increase demand to increase supply) or domperidone
what is a complication of mastitis and when does it occur?
a breast abscess, needs to be managed surgically (i.e. drained)
usually occurs 1-2 weeks post mastitis
what is the normal postnatal hospital admission duration for uncomplicated vaginal and caesarean deliveries?
2 nights for vaginal delivery
4 nights for caesarean
define puerperal sepsis?
Maternal temperature > 38 within 2 weeks of birth
common sources for puerperal sepsis in postpartum woman?
Endometritis/mastitis
Caesarean wound
UTI
non-obstetric- flu, URTI, infections from IV/epidural sites etc
what is the most common cause of secondary PPH?
retained products of conception/infection
what is secondary PPH?
excess vaginal bleeding more than 24 hrs post delivery up to 6 weeks
when does postpartum blues normally occur?
day 3 or day 4 post delivery