The document discusses the puerperium, the post-childbirth period where the mother's body returns to its pre-pregnant state, addressing complications and minor ailments such as after pain, perineal pain, infections, and breast disorders. It outlines nursing management, medical treatments, and preventive measures during the antenatal, intranatal, and postpartum periods to mitigate risks. Additionally, it covers breast-related issues, including infections and engorgement, with recommended treatments and nursing care strategies.
INTRODUCTION:
Puerperium, the periodof adjustment after
childbirth during which the mother’s
reproductive system returns to its normal
prepregnant state. triggered by a sharp drop in
the levels of estrogen and progesterone
produced by the placenta during pregnancy. the
uterus shrinks back to its normal size and
resumes its prebirth position by the sixth
week.
3.
DEFINITION
• It isthe period following child birth during
which all the body tissue especially pelvic organs
revert back to their pre pregnant stage both
anatomically and physiologically.
• It has 3 types:
• Immediate- within 24 hrs
• Recent- within 7 days
• Remote- up to the end of 6 weeks
4.
MINOR AILMENETS OF
PUERPERIUM
Afterpain:-
It is infrequent, spasmodic pain
felt in the lower abdomen after
delivery for a variable period of 2-4
days. presence of blood clots or bits
after birth leads to hypertonic
contraction of the uterus in an
attempt to expel them out.
5.
NURSING MANAGEMENT
• Itincludes in massaging the uterus with
expulsion of clots followed by administration
of analgesics & antispasmodics.
• Effective relief from pain by emptying
bladder.
• Provide a prone position with pillow under her
lower abdomen.( it provides a constant
pressure against her uterus ,which keeps it
contracted thus eliminates after birth
pains)
6.
PAIN ON THEPERINEUM
•Never forget to examine the
perineum when analgesic is given
to relieve pain.
-Early detection of vulvo- vaginal
heamtoma can thus be made.
7.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
•Severe, sharp perineal pain.
• Appearance of a tense, sensitive mass of
varying size covered by discolored skin.
• Swelling in the perineal wall.
• Often seen on the opposite side of the
episiotomy.
• Inability to void due to pressure/edema on or
around the urethra.
• Complaint of fullness or pressure in the vagina.
8.
MEDICAL TREATMENT
This isconsists of analgesics given for
discomfort, opening the hematoma so blood
clots can be evacuated and the bleeders can
be ligated, and packing for pressure.
9.
NURSING INTERVENTIONS.
• Applyice to area of hematoma.
• Observe for evidence of enlarged hematoma.
• Flag the patient's chart if packing was inserted.
• Sitz baths (hot or cold ) can give additional
relief.
PROPHYLAXIS NURSING
MANAGEMENT
Certain measuresare undertaken before,
during and postpartum period.
Antenatal period-
To detect and eradicate the septic focus.
To maintain or improve the health status like
hemoglobin level, prevent preeclampsia.
Should take care about personal hygiene.
17.
CONTD…..
Intranatal period
The deliveryshould be conducted taking
full surgical asepsis.
The patient is instructed not to touch the
vulva during labour.
Excessive blood loss should be replaced
promptly.
Prophylactic antibiotics.
18.
Cont…….
•Use caps, mask,gowns, and gloves when
working in delivery rooms.
• Use sterilized equipment within control dates.
•Wash hands meticulously (staff).
•Correct breaks in sterile techniques
immediately.
•Limit unnecessary vaginal exams during
labor which increases the chances of introducing
organisms from the rectum and vagina into the
uterus.
19.
POSTPARTUM PERIOD
• Asepticprecautions should be taken during perineal
care.
• Too many visitors should not be allowed.
• Sterilized pads should be used and changed.
• Instruct the patient on hand washing and cleansing her
perineum from front to back.
• Restrict personnel with respiratory infections from
working with patients.
• Early ambulation postpartum.
• Daily evaluation of fundal height to document involution
20.
Nursing Care ofPuerperal Infection.
-Isolation, if possible, the removal of the patient from
the maternity ward.
-Meticulous hand washing.
-Patient placed in Fowler's position to facilitate drainage.
-Reeducation of the patient on handwashing and peri-care.
-Emotional support since the patient may be prevented
from rooming in with her infant while her temperature is
elevated.
-Check the vital signs.
-Maintain the fluid intake and output.
-Anemia should be corrected by blood transfusion.
-Sufficient rest is enforced by analgesics and sedatives.
DEFINITION
An elevation oftemperature to 38˚c
(100.4˚f) or more occurring on two
separate occasions at 24 hours apart
(excluding the first 24 days ) following
delivery is called puerperal sepsis.
NURSING MANAGEMENT
• Isolation,.
•Hand washing.
• Patient placed in fowler's position to facilitate
drainage.
• education of the patient on handwashing and peri-care.
• Emotional support.
• Check the vital signs.
• Maintain the fluid intake and output.
• Sufficient rest is enforced by analgesics and sedatives.
DEFINITION
• Sub involutionof uterus is impaired and
deficient involution of the uterus following
delivery
• When the uterus is not reverted back to the
pre-pregnant both anatomically & physiology.
27.
CAUSES
• Predisposing factors
•Grand multiparity
• Over-distention of uterus as in twins & hydromnios
• Maternal ill health
• Cesarean section
• Prolapse of the uterus
• Uterine fibroids
• No sucking of the baby
28.
CLINICAL FEATURES
• Excessiveor prolonged discharge of
lochia
• Irregular or excessive uterine
bleeding
• Irregular cramp like pain
• Uterine height more than normal for
the particular day of post partum
29.
MANAGEMENT
• Sub involutionis managed by treating the
causes.
• Antibiotics for sepsis.
• Exploration of the uterus for retained
products.
• pessary( Supportive device) in prolapse or
retroversion.
• Early ambulation postpartum.
• daily evaluation of fundal height to document
involution.
CRACKED NIPPLES
DEFINITION-
It isa condition in which there is loss of
surface epithelium with the formation of raw
area on the nipple along with fissure situated
either at the tip or of the base of nipple.
39.
CAUSE:
Improper hygiene resultingin crust formation,
retracted nipples, trauma due to incorrect breast
feeding.
SYMPTOMS- Painful breast feeding, it may progress
to mastitis.
PROPHYLAXIS- Maintaining hygiene.
TREATMENT- Correct attachment of infant, purified
lanonin application(3-4 times), usage of breast pump
and shields(if severe), application of miconazole
lotion, biopsy.
MASTITIS
DEFINITION- It isthe inflammation of
parenchyma of the mammary gland
TYPES-
PATHOGENS- Staphylococcus, Streptococcus,
gram negative bacilli such as Escherichia coli,
Salmonella, Mycobacterium, Candida,
Cryptococcus (rarely)
PUERPERAL MASTITIS
NON PUERPERAL MASTITIS
BREAST ENGORGEMENT
DEFINITION- Itis a condition which occurs in
mammary glands by expanding veins and the
pressure of new breast milk contained with in
them.
CAUSE- It is due to exaggerated normal
venous and lymphatic engorgement of breasts
which precedes lactation.it involves
primiparous women and women with inelastic
breast.
CONT….
SYMPTOMS- Pain, feelingof heaviness,
generalized malaise, transient rise of
temperature, painful breast feeding.
PREVENTION- To avoid prelacteal feeds, to
initiate early and unrestricted breast feeding,
exclusive breast feeding on demand, feeding in
correct position.
49.
CONT…
MANAGEMENT
-To support thebreast with brassiere
-Mannual expression of any remaining milk
after each feed
-To administer analgesics for pain
-Put baby on breast feed regularly and at
frequent intervals
-Gentle use of breast pump (if severe)
50.
FAILING LACTATION
CAUSES:-
• Debilitatingstate of the mother
• Early primigravidae
• Failure to suckle the baby regularly
• Depression or anxiety state in the
puerperium
• Apprehension to nursing
• Premature baby, who is too weak to
suck
• Painful breast lesions
51.
MANAGEMENT
ANTENATAL
• Education regardingthe advantages of
breast feeding
• Correction of abnormalities like retracted
nipples
• Breast hygiene
• Improving the general health status of
mother
52.
CONT…
POSTNATAL
• Encourage adequatefluid intake
• Nurse the baby regularly
• Treat painful lesions promptly
• Express residual milk after each feeding
• Drugs like thyroid extract or prolactin are
useful.