Postpartum Vocabulary
Postbirth uterine discharge. May contain small clots.
What is lochia?
Sore nipples from breastfeeding are most likely related to this
Improper latch
I can be used for flat or inverted nipples
What is a breast shell?
I may not have one of these for a few days due to slowing in this system during labor and immediate postpartum. I don't mind because I'm afraid it will hurt.
What is a bowel movement?
I am an infection of the uterine lining. I usually begin as a localized infection at the site of the placenta. I cause fever, pain, chills, tachycardia, and foul-smelling lochia.
What is endometritis?
The inability of the uterine muscle to contract adequately after birth. Can lead to postpartum hemorrhage.
What is uterine atony?
Early ambulation is associated with a reduced incidence of this
What is venous thromboembolism?
Couples may resume this by the second to fourth week after birth if the bleeding has stopped.
If this is distended it may cause problems with uterine firmness and placement
What is the bladder?
The most common cause of me is E.coli. I cause dysuria, frequency and urgency. Risk factors for me include catheterization and pelvic exams.
What is a urinary tract infection or UTI?
When a blood clot (thrombus) dislodges and moves into the pulmonary system
What is a pulmonary embolus or PE?
This care improves thermoregulation, early and effective breastfeeding, and improved cardiorespiratory stability in preterm infants
What is skin-to-skin contact?
Name two things that can help with Postpartum Hemorrhoids
What are witch hazel pads (Tucks), hemorrhoid cream, ice packs, sitz bath?
When you assess me I should be firm and not this
What is boggy?
I am usually caused by Staph aureus. I can occur due to poor hygiene, a crack in the skin, a blocked duct, or poor technique. My symptoms are pain, redness, and flu-like symptoms.
What is mastitis?
Turning inside out of the uterus. May be partial or complete.
What is uterine inversion?
The loss of this amount of blood is defined as postpartum hemorrhage for a c-section.
What is 1000 ml or more?
Five signs of Postpartum Depression
What are feeling restless, moody, crying a lot, no energy or motovation, sleeping too little or too much, eating too little or too much, memory problems, feelings of worthlessness, feeling guilty, withdrawing from friends and family, headaches, stomach problems, loss in interest or pleasure from things you usually enjoy?
I am the assessment when you are checking for blood clots in the lower extremities
I often wait to develop until my patient gets home. You will need to culture me if you want to know my true identity. I cause fever, erythema, warmth, tenderness, drainage, and separation.
What is a wound infection?
May be caused by rapid decline in hormones. Signs and symptoms include intense mood swings, irritability, and sadness.
What is postpartum depression?
Management of me includes restoring circulating blood volume with IV fluids and blood products and eliminating the cause of the hemorrhage.
What is hypovolemic shock?
I should do these things to suppress lactation
What are avoid stimulation, wear a well-fitting bra, apply cabbage leaves, wear a breast binder?
These blood tests show a decrease in the first few days after delivery, but return to normal levels by 8 weeks.
What are hemoglobin and hematocrit?
We are the type of antibiotics that are first on the scene before the culture results come back.
What are broad-spectrum antibiotics?