Term
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Definition
| The return of the uterus to a nonpregnant state after birth is. This process begins immediately after expulsion of the placenta with contraction of the uterine smooth muscle. |
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Term
| Process of involution postpartum |
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Definition
| At the end of the third stage of labor, the uterus is in the midline, approximately 2cm below the level of the umbilicus. At this time, the uterus weighs approximately 1000g. Within 12 hours, the fundus can rise to approximately 1cm above the umbilicus. Afterwords, the fundus descends 1 to 2cm every 24 hours. It should return to its non-pregnant location by 6 weeks after birth. |
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Term
| Size of the uterus throughout pregnany |
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Definition
| At full term the uterus weighs about 11 times its pre-pregnancy weight, involutes to approximately 500g by 1 week after birth and to 350g by 2 weeks after birth. At 6 weeks postpartum, it weighs 60 to 80g. |
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Term
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Definition
| an increase in the number of muscle cells |
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Term
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Definition
| An enlargement of the existing cells |
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Term
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Definition
| Subinvolution is the failure of the uterus to return to a non-pregnant state. The most common causes of subinvolution are retained placental fragments and infection. |
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Term
| Why is Oxytocin administered postpartum? |
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Definition
| It strengthens and coordinates uterine contractions, which compress blood vessels and promote hemostasis (the stopping of blood flow). During the first 1-2 postpartum hours, uterine contractions may decrease in intensity and become uncoordinated. Because it is vital that the uterus remain firm and well contracted, exogenous oxytocin (Pitocin) is usually given IV or IM right after expulsion of the placenta. |
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Term
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Definition
| Periodic relaxation and vigorous contractions are more common in subsequent pregnancies and may cause uncomfortable cramping called afterpains, which typically resolve in 3 to 7 days. Afterpains are more noticeable after births in which the uterus was overdistended. |
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Term
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Definition
| Postbirth uterine discharge, commonly called lochia, initially is bright red (lochia rubra) and may contain small clots. For the first 2 hours after birth, the amount of uterine discharge should be about that of a heavy menstrual period. After that time, the lochial flow should steadily decrease. Lochia persists up to 4 to 8 weeks after birth. |
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Term
| Lochial vs nonlochial bleeding |
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Definition
Lochial Bleeding usually trickles from the vaginal opening. The steady flow is greater as the uterus contracts. A gush of lochia may result as the uterus is massaged. If it is dark in color, it has been pooled in the relaxed vagina, and the amount soon lessens to a trickle of bright red lochia.
Nonlochial bloody discharge may spurt from the vagina. In this case there can be cervical or vaginal tears in addition to the normal lochia. If the amount of bleeding continues to be excessive and bright red, a tear can be the source. |
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Term
| What happens with estrogen and progesterone postpartum? |
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Definition
| Estrogen and progesterone levels drop markedly after expulsion of the placenta and reach their lowest levels 1 week after birth. Decreased estrogen levels are associated with the diuresis of excess extracellular fluid accumulated during pregnancy. |
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Term
| What happens with prolactin postpartum? |
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Definition
| Prolactin levels in blood rise progressively throughout pregnancy. After birth, as levels of estrogen and progesterone decrease, prolactin levels increase. In women who breastfeed, prolactin levels are highest during the first month after birth and remain elevated above nonpregnant levels as long as the woman is breastfeeding. |
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Term
| What happens to the kidneys postpartum? |
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Definition
| Kidney function returns to normal within 1 month after birth. About 6 weeks are required for the pregnancy-induced hypotonia and dilation of the ureters and renal pelves to return to the nonpregnant state. |
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Term
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Definition
| the period of about six weeks after childbirth during which the mother's reproductive organs return to their original nonpregnant condition. |
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