Nurs473 OB Exam 3: Postpartum adaptations, Management of
Postpartu Period, Risks for Postpartum
1.What is involution?: Reduction in the size of uterus after birth.
2.Normal involution?: Back to non-preg size, fundus should at ative w/
U, neg fingerbreadth (1cm) every
*Breastfeeding can help with this
3.Subinvolution?: Delayed return of the uterus to its nonpregnant size
and consis- tency.
4.What can cause subinvolution?: Retained placenta
Infection
Over-distension of
uterus Anesthesia
Prolonged labor
5.Lochia Rubra: 3-4 days
Bright red + bloody
Similar to a period
6.Lochia Serosa?: 3-10 days
Brown-pink discharge
Stringy/clumpy, flow is similar to the end of the period
7.Lochia Alba: 10-14 days, up 3-6
weeks White/yellow discharge.
No blood or clots, can be spotty
8.Danger signs of Lochia?: (1) reappearance of bright-red blood, ex.
week 3
(2) shouldn't have a foul smell, should smell fleshy/skin-like
9.Reproductive System adaptations?: Cervix: pre-preg state by 6
weeks Vag: Pre-preg by 6-8 weeks, may remain larger
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, Nurs473 OB Exam 3: Postpartum adaptations, Management of
Postpartu Period, Risks for Postpartum
Perineum: Redness, bruised, muscle tone may not return
Laceration/episiotomy, takes 6 months to heal
10.How long does it take the pelvic floor to heal?: 6 months, do kegels!
11.CV adaptations: BV +
CO=decrease Hematocrit: Increase,
no change
HR: 60-80, brady first 2
weeks BP: No change
RR: 12-20
Temp: up to 100.4 within 24 hrs
Coagulation: Increase/clotting more
easily RBCs: Decreases, then
increases
WBC: increases in labor, then decreases
12.When can preeclampsia occur?: 6 weeks after delivery
13.What is post-partum diuresis? Is it normal?: Yes, getting rid of the
excess fluids
14.What does the retention of fluid indicate?: Uterus shift, bleeding!
should return back to normal in 6 weeks
15.What does it mean when mom has difficulty: Bleeding!
16.What can cause difficulty voiding?:
Anesthesia Swelling
Bruising/swollen
Lacerations
Oxytocin (anti-diurectic)
17.Tx for constipation?: Stool softeners, peristalsis is decreased
18.Progesterone after birth: Decreases, low level=engorgement, diuresis,
breast- milk production
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Postpartu Period, Risks for Postpartum
1.What is involution?: Reduction in the size of uterus after birth.
2.Normal involution?: Back to non-preg size, fundus should at ative w/
U, neg fingerbreadth (1cm) every
*Breastfeeding can help with this
3.Subinvolution?: Delayed return of the uterus to its nonpregnant size
and consis- tency.
4.What can cause subinvolution?: Retained placenta
Infection
Over-distension of
uterus Anesthesia
Prolonged labor
5.Lochia Rubra: 3-4 days
Bright red + bloody
Similar to a period
6.Lochia Serosa?: 3-10 days
Brown-pink discharge
Stringy/clumpy, flow is similar to the end of the period
7.Lochia Alba: 10-14 days, up 3-6
weeks White/yellow discharge.
No blood or clots, can be spotty
8.Danger signs of Lochia?: (1) reappearance of bright-red blood, ex.
week 3
(2) shouldn't have a foul smell, should smell fleshy/skin-like
9.Reproductive System adaptations?: Cervix: pre-preg state by 6
weeks Vag: Pre-preg by 6-8 weeks, may remain larger
1/
12
, Nurs473 OB Exam 3: Postpartum adaptations, Management of
Postpartu Period, Risks for Postpartum
Perineum: Redness, bruised, muscle tone may not return
Laceration/episiotomy, takes 6 months to heal
10.How long does it take the pelvic floor to heal?: 6 months, do kegels!
11.CV adaptations: BV +
CO=decrease Hematocrit: Increase,
no change
HR: 60-80, brady first 2
weeks BP: No change
RR: 12-20
Temp: up to 100.4 within 24 hrs
Coagulation: Increase/clotting more
easily RBCs: Decreases, then
increases
WBC: increases in labor, then decreases
12.When can preeclampsia occur?: 6 weeks after delivery
13.What is post-partum diuresis? Is it normal?: Yes, getting rid of the
excess fluids
14.What does the retention of fluid indicate?: Uterus shift, bleeding!
should return back to normal in 6 weeks
15.What does it mean when mom has difficulty: Bleeding!
16.What can cause difficulty voiding?:
Anesthesia Swelling
Bruising/swollen
Lacerations
Oxytocin (anti-diurectic)
17.Tx for constipation?: Stool softeners, peristalsis is decreased
18.Progesterone after birth: Decreases, low level=engorgement, diuresis,
breast- milk production
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