Childbirth and Postpartum Care

These flashcards cover key concepts related to childbirth and postpartum care, including definitions, processes, and significant terms from the lecture notes.

Perfusion

The flow of blood through arteries and capillaries, delivering nutrients and oxygen to cells.

Gas Exchange

The process by which oxygen is transported to cells and carbon dioxide is transported from cells.

Maternal Perfusion

The impact of maternal blood flow on fetal gas exchange.

Powers of Labor

Uterine contractions that help in the childbirth process.

Dilation

The opening of the cervix, measured in centimeters, with full dilation being 10 cm.

Contraction Frequency

The duration from the beginning of one contraction to the beginning of the next.

Contraction Intensity

How strong a contraction is during labor.

Active Phase of Labor

The second phase of the first stage of labor where the cervix dilates from 4-7 cm.

Leopold's Maneuver

A technique used to determine the position and presentation of the fetus.

Station

The level of the presenting part of the fetus in the pelvis, measured in centimeters from the ischial spines.

Tocolytic Therapy

Treatment aimed at stopping uterine contractions during preterm labor.

Amniotomy

Artificial rupture of membranes (AROM) to induce or augment labor.

Cesarean Birth

Surgical delivery of the fetus through incisions in the mother’s abdomen and uterus.

Postpartum Hemorrhage

Blood loss greater than 500 mL after vaginal delivery or 1000 mL after cesarean delivery.

Involution

Changes that the reproductive organs undergo after birth to return to their pre-pregnancy size.

Lochia

Vaginal discharge after delivery composed of endometrial tissue, blood, and lymph.

REEDA

An acronym for assessing healing of perineal sutures: Redness, Edema, Ecchymosis, Discharge, Approximation.

BUBBLE

A mnemonic used to assess a postpartum mother: Breast, Uterus, Bladder, Bowel, Lochia, Emotions.

Uterine Atony

The most common cause of early postpartum hemorrhage due to lack of normal muscle tone.

Subinvolution

Failure of the uterus to return to its normal size and condition by 6 weeks postpartum.