As the postpartum period sets in, the greatest change that the woman would notice in her is the change in her role; she is now a certified mother! With this modification, other changes will start to set in slowly and gradually, and the woman must be armed with information so she would be able to deal with these life changes. Show
Psychological ChangesThe changes that the woman undergoes are crucial within the first 24 hours of postpartum, especially the psychological changes. These changes might affect the woman permanently if not given the appropriate attention and care. Taking-In Phase
Taking Hold Phase
Letting Go Phase
Physiological ChangesSeveral body systems are also affected after the birth of the newborn, and these changes may or may not be noticed by the mother early during postpartum. Reproductive System
Hormonal System
Urinary System
Circulatory System
Gastrointestinal System
Practice Quiz: Postpartum ChangesQuiz time! 1. When does postpartum depression usually happens? A. During the birth of the baby 2. What happens during the taking in phase? A. The woman easily adjusts to her new role as a mother. 3. What is the most important player during involution? A. Medications 4. How could a woman regain the strength and tone of her vagina post birth? A. Through pelvic rocking
exercises. 5. What would you advise a woman who has a urinary output of 3000 mL per day postpartum? A. It is a normal occurrence after birth. Answers and Rationale 1. Answer: D. During the letting go phase Postpartum depression is common during the letting go phase after birth. 2. Answer: B. The woman is passive and relies mostly on the people around her. During the taking in phase, the woman is dependent on her healthcare providers or support persons with simple tasks and making decisions. 3. Answer: C. Contractions Contractions aid the return of the reproductive system to its nonpregnant state and also prevent hemorrhage postpartum. 4. Answer: B. Do Kegel’s exercises. Kegel’s exercise strengthens the muscle tone of the vagina. 5. Answer: A. It is a normal occurrence after birth. The diuresis after birth gets rid of the excess fluid that has accumulated in the woman’s body during pregnancy. These changes are what make a woman a full-fledged mother. It only takes gradual adjustment and she would easily slip into her new role as a mother without much difficulty, especially if she has a strong support system and reinforced with all the information she needs for the postpartum period. Which of the following factors might result in a decreased supply of breastmilk in a PP mother?Various factors can cause a low milk supply during breast-feeding, such as waiting too long to start breast-feeding, not breast-feeding often enough, supplementing breastfeeding, an ineffective latch and use of certain medications. Sometimes previous breast surgery affects milk production.
On which of the postpartum pp days can the client expect lochia Serosa?Lochia should progress from rubra to serosa to alba. Any changes in this progression could be considered abnormal and should be reported. Lochia rubra is present on days 1–3, lochia serosa on days 4–10, and lochia alba on days 11–21.
Which of the following interventions would be helpful to a breastfeeding mother who is experiencing engorged breasts?To treat engorgement, recommend that the mother puts warm compresses on her breasts or takes a warm shower and expresses enough milk to reduce discomfort which helps make attachment easier. After expressing milk she can use cold compresses to reduce the inflammation.
Which type of lochia should the nurse expect to find in a client 3 days postpartum?Which type of lochia should the nurse expect to find in a client 2 days PP? 4. Lochia rubra. Lochia rubra lasts 3 to 4 days PP; Lochia serosa begins 3 days PP and lasts 10 days; Lochia alba begins 2 wks PP and lasts up to 6 weeks.
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