OB Exam 3 Guaranteed Success
Postpartum Nursing Concepts - Oxytocin: This hormone facilitates the milk let-down reflex during breastfeeding. - Bubble-hee: This acronym can be utilized as a guide for conducting a head-to-toe postpartum
assessment. - Lactation: The process of milk secretion by th...
OB Exam 3 Guaranteed Success
Postpartum Nursing Concepts
- Oxytocin: This hormone facilitates the milk let-down reflex during breastfeeding.
- Bubble-hee: This acronym can be utilized as a guide for conducting a head-to-toe postpartum
assessment.
- Lactation: The process of milk secretion by the breasts is called lactation.
- Engrossment: The emotional and developing bond that a father or significant other forms with the
newborn is referred to as engrossment.
- Kegel Exercises: These exercises are effective for restoring pelvic floor muscle tone and reducing stress
urinary incontinence following delivery.
- Sitz Bath: This shallow bath of warm water is used after the first 24 hours postpartum to promote
perineal comfort.
- Peribottle: A plastic bottle filled with warm tap water used to spray the perineal area after each
urination is called a peribottle.
- Progesterone: Known as the hormone of pregnancy, progesterone levels decrease significantly with
the delivery of the placenta.
- Uterine Atony: This term describes the relaxation of the uterine muscle, which can lead to excessive
bleeding or postpartum hemorrhage.
- Postpartum Period Duration: The postpartum (PP) period lasts 1 year.
- Lochia: This term describes the vaginal discharge that occurs after birth.
,- Involution: The process in which the uterus returns to its normal, non-pregnant size and condition is
called involution.
- Pregnancy Spacing: It is recommended to space pregnancies at least 18 months apart.
- Lochia Rubra: A deep-red discharge characterized by mucus, tissue debris, and blood, with a fleshy
odor, is known as lochia rubra.
- Lochia Serosa: The pinkish-brown discharge that contains leukocytes, tissue, red blood cells, and serous
fluid is termed lochia serosa.
- Lochia Alba: The creamy white or light brown discharge containing leukocytes, tissue, and reduced
fluid content is known as lochia alba.
- Uterine Atony Symptoms: If blood accumulates and forms clots within the uterus, the fundus may rise
and feel boggy, indicating uterine atony.
- Episiotomy: A surgical incision made by the physician to enlarge the vaginal opening is referred to as an
episiotomy.
- Laceration: A tear in the vaginal opening that occurs during delivery is called a laceration.
Hormonal Changes Postpartum
- Estrogen:
- Level drops with the delivery of the placenta.
- Decreased estrogen can lead to breast engorgement and postpartum sweating.
- For non-breastfeeding women, estrogen levels begin to rise again by 2 weeks postpartum, whereas it
remains low for breastfeeding women until feeding frequency decreases.
, - Progesterone:
- Levels drop with the delivery of the placenta and are undetectable by day 3 postpartum.
- Production is reestablished with the onset of the first menstrual period after childbirth.
- Prolactin:
- Levels increase towards term and stimulate milk production.
- In non-breastfeeding women, prolactin levels decrease within two weeks, while in breastfeeding
women, infant suckling continuously stimulates its release.
- Oxytocin:
- This hormone promotes milk let-down and stimulates uterine contractions during breastfeeding; it is
continuously released in response to infant suckling.
- Engorgement: This refers to the swelling of breast tissue due to increased blood and lymph supply as it
prepares for lactation.
- Peak of Engorgement: Breast engorgement typically reaches its peak 3-5 days postpartum.
Factors Affecting Uterine Position and Comfort
- The uterine fundus may shift from midline to the right side of the abdomen due to a distended
bladder.
- For breastfeeding mothers with engorgement, applying warm compression is recommended.
- For bottle-feeding mothers experiencing engorgement, cold compression is advised.
Definition of the Postpartum Period
- What is the postpartum period?
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