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Puerperium (Postnatal Period)
Refers to the 6 weeks period after childbirth
“PUER”
Latin word - means “child”
“PARERE”
Latin word - means “to bring forth”
Involution (Retrogressive Changes)
Process of the uterus returning to its pre-pregnancy size and condition after childbirth.
Reproductive system changes and other systemic changes
Progressive Changes
Refers to the gradual adaptations and modifications of the uterus and body during and after pregnancy, including hormonal and anatomical adjustments.
Production of milk for lactation, restoration of normal menstrual cycle and beginning of parenting role
CERVIX (REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM CHANGES)
Soft and malleable to palpation
Both Internal os external os are open
Contraction of the cervix towards prepregnant state begins
End of 7 days external os narrowed to size of a pencil opening.
involves formation of new muscle cells
Internal os closed as before, after vaginal birth external os remain slightly open and appears slit - like or stellate (star shaped)
PERINEUM (REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM CHANGES)
Edematous and tender
Ecchymosis patches from ruptured capillaries
Labia majora and minora remain atrophic and soften
PERINEUM (NURSING RESPONSIBILITIES)
Perineal Care
Observe for abnormalities
Presence of Hemorrhoids
Apply cold pack during first 24 hrs (reduces perineal edema & hematoma)
Perineal hot pack or moist heat (increase circulation)
Episiotomy Care (Soothing cream, Acetaminophen/Ibuprofen)
Kegel Exercises (improve circulation, lessen edema, prevent urinary incontinence)
Relieve Muscular Aches (Backrub)
VAGINA (REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM CHANGES)
Vagina is soft with few rugae and its diameter is greater than normal
Hymen is permanently torn and heals with small, separate tags of tissue
Thickening of the vaginal walls appears
whole puerperium to involute
UTERUS (REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM CHANGES)
Involution of the uterus involves two process:
The area where the placenta was implanted is sealed off by rapid contraction to prevent bleeding
The organ is reduced to its approximate pregestational size
the uterus of a breastfeeding mother may contract more quickly because of the released of oxytocin which stimulates uterine contraction
PALPATION OF FUNDUS - Few minutes after birth
fundus is palpable, halfway between umbilicus and symphysis pubis
PALPATION OF FUNDUS - One hour later
at the level of umbilicus and remains for 24 hrs.
PALPATION OF FUNDUS - First day Postpartum
decreases by one fingerbreadth per day (1 cm.) a day in size
PALPATION OF FUNDUS - Day 9-10
no longer palpable
UTERUS WEIGHT - After birth
about 1,000 grams
UTERUS WEIGHT - End of First Week
weighs 500 grams
UTERUS WEIGHT - Complete Involution
50 grams (Prepregnancy Weight)
Causes for Delayed Involution
Multiple fetuses
Hydramnios
Exhaustion from prolonged labor
Grand multiparity
Physiologic effect of analgesia
Retained placenta or membrane
Uterine Atony
failure of the uterus to contract adequately following delivery
The first hour after birth is potentially the most dangerous time for a woman.
If the uterus is relaxed during this time patient will lose blood very rapidly, because no permanent thrombi have yet formed at the placental site
Involution will occur most dependably
Well-nourished
Ambulates early after delivery
Advantages of Ambulation
Decreased incidence of thrombophlebitis
Better uterine drainage and enhanced uterine involution
Preventing urinary retention and constipation
Less respiratory complications (Pneumonia and Pulmonary embolism)
Early regain of maternal strength
Improved well-being and self-esteem
Greater confidence in providing baby care
Shorter hospitalization days (If hospitalized)
Pulmonary Embolism
a blockage (blood clot) in one of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs
UTERUS (NURSING RESPONSIBILITIES)
Pain Relief (Acetaminophen/ Iburprofen)
LOCHIA (REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM CHANGES)
vaginal discharge of a postpartum mother, consists of shreds of decidua, erythrocytes (RBC) leucocytes, epithelial cells, and bacteria
Reasons for Lochial Evaluation
To detect the normality of vaginal discharge and rule out postpartum hemorrhage
To evaluate the state of uterine involution
To detect the presence of puerperal sepsis
Lochia Rubra
red color
1 - 3 days
Blood, small particles of decidua and mucus
Lochia Serosa
pink or brownish
3 - 10 days
Blood, mucus, and invading leukocytes
Lochia Alba
white with streaks of brownish mucus
10 - 14 days until 3 – 6 wks.
Largely mucus, leukocytes count high
COLOR (EVALUATION OF LOCHIA)
red, pinkish brown, whitish with or without clots
Reddish color – more than two wks. (involution problems, placental retention)
ODOR (EVALUATION OF LOCHIA)
Normal: fleshy, musky, non-offensive, non-foul odor
Abnormal: malodorous or foul odor
HEAVY/LARGE AMOUNT (EVALUATION OF LOCHIA)
one perineal pad saturated in 15-30 mins.
MODERATE AMOUNT (EVALUATION OF LOCHIA)
Perineal pad blood stain less than 15 cm (6 inch)
LIGHT/SMALL AMOUNT (EVALUATION OF LOCHIA)
Perineal pad blood stain less than 10 cm. (4 inch)
SCANT AMOUNT (EVALUATION OF LOCHIA)
Perineal pad blood stain less than 2.5 cm. (1 inch)
LACTATION
Breast milk forms in response to the decrease in Estrogen and Progesterone levels that follows delivery of the placenta , which stimulates Prolactin production and, consequently, milk production
When breast milk first begins to form, the milk ducts become distended
Primary Engorgement
feeling of tension in the breasts and fades on the 3 rd or 4th day after birth as the infant begins effective sucking and empties the breasts of milk
Breast Distension
Heat/Throbbing Pain
Reddened Breast
RETURN OF MENSTRUAL FLOW
increase production of FSH, leads to return of ovulation
Lactational Amenorrhea (Breastfeeding Mothers)
menstrual flow may not return for 3-4 months or for the entire lactation period
Absence of a menstrual flow does not guarantee that a woman will not conceive during this time, because she may ovulate well before menstruation returns
Not Breastfeeding
flow return in 6-10 weeks after birth
Hormonal System Changes
HCG and HPL decreased by 24 hrs.
FSH remains low for 12 days then begins to rise to initiate new menstrual cycle
Wk.1 – Progestin, estrone and estradiol are all at pre pregnancy Level
Urinary System Changes
During pregnancy, as much as 2000 to 3000 mL excess fluid accumulates in the body.
An extensive diuresis begins to take place almost immediately after birth to rid the body of this fluid
Increases the daily output of a postpartal woman
Diuresis
from a normal level of 1500 mL to as much as 3000 mL/day during the 2nd to 5th day afterbirth
Increase in urine production causes bladder to fill rapidly
Hydronephrosis
increase in size of ureters present for about 4 wks. Postpartum
Causes for Hydronephrosis
Pressure on the bladder and urethra due to fetal head exertion.
Transient loss of bladder tone
Edema surrounding the urethra decreases the ability to sense when to void
Epidural anesthesia – can feel no sensation in the bladder area until anesthetic has worn off
Circulatory System
blood volume return to its normal level 1-2 wks. after birth
A 4-point decrease in hematocrit (proportion of red blood cells to circulating plasma)
1-g decrease in hemoglobin value occur with each 250 mL of blood loss.
Blood Loss after Vaginal Delivery
300-500 ml
Blood Loss after Cesarean Delivery
500-1000 ml
Gastrointestinal System Changes
Digestion and absorption begins to be active after birth
Bowel sounds are active, but passage of stool may be slow because of the still-present effect of relaxin on the bowel.
Bowel evacuation may be difficult because of the pain of episiotomy sutures or hemorrhoids
Integumentary System Changes
Striae gravidarum - after birth stretch marks still appear reddened will fade to a pale white over the next 3-6 mons.
Melasma (Chloasma) – excessive pigmentation from the face and neck is barely detectable by 6 wks. time
Linea nigra – barely detectable by 6 wks.
Diastasis Recti
Diastasis Recti
partial or complete separation of the rectus abdominis, which meet at the midline of your stomach
overstretching and separation of the abdominal musculature - the area will appear slightly indented.
If the separation is large, it will appear as a bluish area in the abdominal midline.
Temperature (Vital Signs)
first 24 hrs. – slightly increase due to dehydration
3 - 4 th day after birth – slightly increase due to breast fill with milk
Any woman whose oral temperature rises above 100.4° F (38° C), excluding the first 24-hour period, is considered to be febrile.
In such women, a postpartal infection may be present.
Pulse (Vital Signs)
slightly slower than normal
End of first week – pulse return to normal
Rapid, thready pulse – sign of hemorrhage
Decrease Blood Pressure (Vital Signs)
Indicates bleeding
Complications
Acute blood loss
Orthostatic hypotension
Dizziness
Increase Blood Pressure
140/90 mmhg
Indication
Pregnancy induced hypertension
Oxytocin drugs
PSYCHOLOGICAL CHANGES
Behavioral Adjustment
Phases of Puerperium
Reva Rubin, 1977
Taking-in Phase
Taking-hold Phase
Letting-go phase
TAKING-IN Phase
1-3 days period
time of dependence
The woman is passive
Time of reflection
Sense of wonder
Wants to talk about her pregnancy (Labor and birth)
TAKING-HOLD Phase
begins to initiate action and make her own decisions
Takes interest to infant, begins maternal roles
Often feels insecure about ability of care
LETTING-GO
redefines her new role
Gives up fantasized image of her child and accept the real one
Gives up her old role of being childless or the mother of only one or two
Readjustment of relationships, extended and continues during the child’s growing years.
Abandonment
a feeling of abandonment and less important after giving birth.
Disappointment
common feelings parents may experience disappointment in the baby
Postpartal Blues
overwhelming sadness 1-10 days after birth
burst into tears easily or feel let down or irritabl
Baby Blues
BUBBLE-HE
Breast
Uterus
Bladder
Bowel
Lochia
Episiotomy
Homan’s Sign
Emotional Status
REEDA
For Episiotomy Inspection
Redness
Edema
Ecchymosis
Discharge
Approximation of Skin
Homan’s Sign
Press down gently on the patient’s knee (legs extended flat on bed) ask her to flex her foot
Pain or tenderness in the calf is a positive sign and indication of thrombophlebitis.