postpartum and lactation Flashcards
postpartum is traditionally defined as…
the first 6 weeks post-birth
early postpartum normal vs abnormal
-mood
-temperature
-pulse
NORMAL: tired but happy, Temp between 98.6-100.4, pulse 65-80, RR 12-16, between 90/60 - 140/90, nipples may be sore from nursing but not painful, diastasis recti expected; MILD urinary burning/retention/incontinence common in first 2 days; perineum mildly swollen and bruised, lochia decreasing each day
ABNORMAL: unhappy, dissatisfied, temp > 100.4, pulse > 80, RR < 12 (narcotic overuse, atelectasis, pneumonia), RR > 16 (anxiety, pain) , less than 90/60 evaluate for hypotension causes (blood loss, medication reaction), if > 140/90 evaluate for pp hypertensive disorder, palpitations/chest pain, SOB, painful/cracked/bleeding nipples, BMs return 2-3 days postpartum, N/V, distended abdomen, constipated, dysuria, distended bladder; malodorous lochia, presence of hematoma, deep blue or purple hemorrhoid; unilateral leg pain/calf tenderness
T/F there is a transient increase in BP of as much as 5% in the first 4 days after delivery
TRUE
when are nipples/breast experiencing the most fullness/filling
3-5 days after delivery
Fundus in the postpartum period should be…
firm and midline
uterus involution process
-3 steps
-the uterus is returning to the pre-pregnant state!
1. contraction of the uterus
2. autolysis of myometrial cells
3. regeneration of the epithelium
**results from reduction in cell SIZE, not reduction in cell number
location of uterus is determined with respect to umbilicus
-descends about ____ cm per day
-“fundus at U-1” denotes…
-immediately after delivery, the uterus contracts to the size of a _____ and is located….. but then 12 hours postdelivery the fundus is located at…
-1 cm per day
-that the fundus is 1 cm below the umbilicus
-should always be midline
-grapefruit; immediately after delivery fundus is located halfway between umbilicus and symphysis pubis but then 12 hours postdelivery is at the level of the umbilicus
a fundus that is displaced to the side may indicate…
a distended bladder or sub-involution
by two weeks the fundus is…
no longer palpated abdominally
by 6 weeks, the fundus…
returns to slightly larger than pre-pregnant size
Lochia
-three stages: rubra, serosa, alba
-what days pp? what is the color? d/c make up?
-the breakdown of myometrial placental bed, eschar, and decidual cells
- RUBRA: first 3-7 days; red or red brown with fleshy odor; d/c contains superficial layer of decidua that has sloughed off the uterus
- SEROSA: from day 14 to 21 pp, pinkish-brown color; serous to serosanguinous secretion; d/c contains blood, cervical mucus, erythrocytes, leukocytes, decidual tissue
- ALBA: until cessation of flow in about 4-6 weeks pp; yellowish to white discharge, flow increases with additional activity initially bu decreases progressively over the puerperium
the cervix
-immediately pp
-by day 7:
-by 4 weeks
-in multiparous
-immediately pp: edematous, dilated 3-4 cm and bruised; may have lacerations
-by day 7: dilation down to 1 cm
-by 4 weeks: cervix no longer dilated
-in multiparous: never returns to pre pregnant appearance; somewhat wider with transverse opening, “fish mouth”
vagina
-by 3-4 weeks
-by 6-10 weeks pp
3-4 weeks: rugae returns, edema vascularity and bruising decrease
6-10 weeks: vaginal epithelium returns
**in pp period there is decreased lubrication, can lead to painful intercourse (Esp in lactating women)
when should perineum skin appear well healed?
by day 7 with only linear scarring at 6 weeks and ALWAYS well approximated
how many hours after birth does engorgement occur?
72 hours/3 days
-milk production starts in upper-outer glands, filling then occurs medially and inferiorly
-distention and stasis of vascular and lymphatic circulation cause engorgement as the ducts, lobules, alveoli fill with milk
“let down reflex” or milk ejection reflex develops within…
the first 1-2 weeks
how much does cardiac output increase within first couple hours post-delivery
60-80%
over first 48 hours, as diuresis occurs, plasma volume decreases, causing cardiac output to normalize within
2 weeks
renal system changes in the pp period
-diuresis
-bladder tone
-diuresis occurs within first 5 days
-bladder can be hypotonic and edematous immediately after birth; resolves within 24 hours
caloric intake should be at least….
1800 kcal/day
recommended weight loss after first month post-delivery is
4.5 lb/month
ALT and AST levels return to pre pregnant values within
2 weeks
T/F diastasis recti is found in 75-80% of women
TRUE!
these women are at risk for back pain in future pregnancies; striae also common
breastfeeding women
-resumption of menses variable… but generally:
1. ovulation returns ____ days after weaning
2. first menses
3. mean time to ovulation
-lactation secretes prolactin and oxytocin; prolactin suppresses estrogen halting menstruation and ovulation
- ovulation returns 14-30 days after weaning
- first menses 14 days later
- mean time to ovulation is 190 days
NON breastfeeding women
-prolactin levels
-hormonal shifts stimulate ovulation how many weeks pp?
-first menses within how many weeks pp?
-prolactin levels fall
-hormonal shifts stimulate ovulation to begin about 3-4 weeks pp
-first period 6-8 weeks pp; 70% by 12 weeks
what should Rh women be screened with in the pp period?
the Kleihauer-Betke screen (tests for fetal blood in maternal circulation)
Immunizations in the PP period
1. RhoGAM
2. Rubella
3. Varicella
4. Influenza
5. HPV
6. Tdap
- RhoGAM: give within 72 hours of birth if mother Rh status is negative and infant is +
- Rubella: offer prior to d/c if nonimmune
- Varicella: offer prior to d/c with second dose given 6-8 weeks after; PP patients should be counseled to avoid pregnancy for 4 weeks after last dose (at second pp visit)
- Influenza: offer
- HPV: women ages 9-26 who have not completer primary series should receive three doses at 0, 2, 6 months; if series started prior to pregnancy, series can be completed pp without repeating the initial dose
HPV vaccines SHOULD be given to breastfeeding women 26 years and younger who have not previously been vaccinated - Tdap: offer if did not receive in pregnancy
Postpartal discomforts
-involution pain (increases with…(2))
^non pharm relief
-likely to increase with each subsequent birth
-increases with lactation
NON pharm: empty badder and bowels, change positions, apply heat
Pharm: acetaminophen, ibuprofen
Breast engorgement (for breastfeeding individuals)
-education on how to avoid this
-breastfeed early and often, correct positioning, proper latch
-express small amount of milk manually before each feeding to soften areola
-breast pump also works, but avoid excessive pumping (increases breastmilk production/worsens engorgement)
-supportive bra
-warm compress or warm shower right before feeding
breast engorgement advice for moms that are bottle feeding
tight bra, ice packs, analgesics, cold cabbage leaves
perineal pain should be evaluated by REEDA
-treatments?
Redness
Edema
Ecchymosis
Discharge
Approximation
Topical meds/treatments
-witch hazel pads
-dibucain, benzocaine
-ice packs first 24 hours, size baths after 24 hours
-topical anesthetics
risk factors for constipation
- lack of ambulation in labor and pp
- decreased intestinal peristalsis r/t anesthesia
- narcotic use for pain relief
-increase fluids, fiber, stool softener, ambulate, laxatives as needed