Mama's Matter/ Postpartum Care Exam
With 100% Correct And Verified Answers
What is early postpartum?
first 72 hours
What is mid-postpartum?
Birth to 6 weeks
When is the Late postpartum period?
•Not well defined, ACOG says 12 weeks
•Varney - 1 year, other sources 6-12 mos
What is the significance of puerperium?
•Return of reproductive system to prepregnant state
•Extensive physiologic changes throughout the body
•Emotional and family adjustment
•Infant care, bonding
•Less routine care than pregnancy
What generally happens to the uterus during pregnancy?
hyperplasia, hypertrophy, ↑ weight 10x
What is uterine involution?
the process of uterine contraction, myometrial cell shrinkage, and
reestablishment of the endometrium
Immediately PP, what happens to the uterus?
•uterus emptied
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,•Myometrial contraction, hemostasis, coagulation
Immediately following delivery, where is the uterus?
20cm in length, approx 1 kg, retroverted position
uterine fundus can be palpated as a firm mass in the abdominal midline
several cm below the umbilicus in the first hours after birth
involutes approx 50% by 24-48 hours
Describe the uterus the first few days PP
lies in a slightly retroverted position
easily palpable
Uterus at umbilicus for about 2 days
decrease in size of myometrial cell
How much does the uterus recede?
1 cm with each day PP
When does the uterus return to nonpregnant size?
6-8 weeks
Describe the cervix in early PP
•By 2-7 days pp (depending on source), cervix closed
•Soft, floppy, remains dilated by 2-3 cms first few PPD, less than 1
cm dilated about 1-week PP
•There may be small lacerations such as on the cervical os
Shape of uterus generally PP
The shape of uterus will always look different PP, large and more
transverse, during a speculum exam will not see the large circular
opening of the os
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, Subinvolution
characterized by not fully contracted down uterus and irregular,
excessive, or prolonged bleeding= BAD, a uterus contracted down is
acting as a tamponade cutting off arterial blood flow thus
preventing a PPH
Describe the potential characteristics of the vagina
PP
•Vagina - may be intact, bruised, edematous,
lacerated, abraded
•Vaginal tone may be slack; ruggae reappear
around week 3-4
•Labia may have bruising, edema, lacerations
•Discomfort may persist for weeks or months
What suggestions can we give patients for comfort
re the vagina PP?
•Ice to perineum first 24 hours
•Discomfort first 3 weeks - providing patient with
sitz baths, analgesics, topical analgesia
How long does remodeling and healing take?
4-5 weeks
Repairing lacerations can happen as:
1. Approximation with sutures
2. healing by secondary intention
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