NURS 3334 Chapter Notes - Chapter 67: Gestational Hypertension, Postpartum Bleeding, Postpartum Period
Document Summary
In the past, women typically spent several days in the hospital following the birth of a child. Physiologic changes: the size of the uterus changes dramatically through a process called involution. During involution, the uterus continues to have periods of contraction followed by periods of relaxation. They may continue for up to a week postpartum, and they are exacerbated by breastfeeding. The mother may feel more comfortable if she keeps her bladder as empty as possible and takes an analgesic forty to sixty minutes prior to nursing her baby. Involution causes the uterus to shrink to the size of a grapefruit almost immediately following the delivery of the placenta. If the odor is foul, it should be reported to the physician immediately, as this is indicative of postpartum infection. The amount of lochia increases with the first few minutes of breastfeeding and with physical exertion. The contractions stimulated by breastfeeding are beneficial as they accelerate the involution process.
