Puerperium

Question 1

Define puerperium

Answer 1

Child birth – 6 weeks(42 days)

Question 2

Classify puerperium

Answer 2

Immediate puerperium- First 24 hours
Early puerperium- 2 to 7 days
Late puerperium- 2nd week to 6 weeks

Question 3

Physiological changes in Normal Puerperium

Answer 3

Changes in Genital Tract
Changes in breast and Lactation
Changes in other systems

Question 4

What are the changes in the genital tract?

Answer 4

Involution of the Uterus

Involution of Other Pelvic Organs

Lochia

Menstruation (DEPENDING ON LEVEL OF BREAST-FEEDING)

Question 5

How does the involution occur?

Answer 5

After giving birth, uterus returns to 20-22 wks and involutes 2cm/day.

Question 6

Types of lochia, the timing and the colour

Answer 6

Lochia RUBRA 1-4 DAYS
Lochia SEROSA 4-7DAYS
Lochia ALBA 7-14 DAYS

Question 7

Changes in Breast and Lactation

Answer 7

•Mamogenesis (Mammary duct-gland growth & dev.)

•Lactogenesis (Initiation Of milk secretion in alveoli)

•Galactopoiesis (Maintenance of Lactation)

•Galactokinesis (Removal of Milk from Gland)

Question 8

What’s puerperal fever?

Answer 8

Oral temp. 38 degree C or more

recorded twice

in the first 10 days after delivery

excluding the 1st 24 hours

Question 9

Causes of Puerperal fever

Answer 9

Malaria fever

Uterine infection

Breast infection

Urinary infection

Thrombophlebitis

Other incidental infections