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From other websitesContent disclaimerContent on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Postpartum Pain ManagementHow you feel should guide your activity level. You may wish to limit your visitors in order to get the rest you need and to take advantage of the nursing care and teaching. We support your choices and have very few routines or rules. Please tell the staff what is important to you during your hospital stay. We encourage you to ask questions and hope you feel well cared for. Taking good care of yourself is an important part of parenting. It will be some time before your body returns to how it was before you became pregnant, but there are things you can do that will assist the natural recovery phase. Pain Management You will be asked how you feel periodically throughout your stay in the hospital. You can help by telling us on a scale of 0 to 10 how your pain feels. Having no pain is characterized by 0 (zero) and 10 is the worse possible pain you know. As the parent, you may also find it comforting to know that we have a scale to measure newborn pain that your baby may experience during a procedure such as circumcision or blood draw. We make every effort to comfort your newborn during any painful procedure and we will teach you how to do the same. Your doctor or midwife has left orders for medications to reduce your pain and increase your comfort. Your nurse will administer any additional pain medications prescribed by your physician or midwife. Let your nurse know if you have pain as soon as you begin to feel uncomfortable. In addition to pain medication, your nurse can suggest comfort techniques such as the use of ice on sore stitches or sitting and lying positions that can help you feel more comfortable. Bleeding and Afterpains Bleeding will decrease over the next few weeks, and change color from bright red to pink to brown to yellow and then clear. It should have a strong fleshy smell, not a putrid odor. A return to bright red bleeding or passing of large clots once your bleeding has slowed may signify excessive activity on your part. It is your body’s way of reminding you to rest and take it easy. Afterpains (cramping) are the contractions of the uterus occurring in the days following childbirth. They are normal, but can be uncomfortable. Afterpains are usually strongest on the second and third days following delivery, when you are breastfeeding or after you take a uterus-contracting medication prescribed by your physician or midwife. Cramping is most noticeable after the birth of a second or third baby. Afterpains gradually decrease in intensity, but may last seven to ten days. To help ease afterpains, try the following:
Changes in Your Uterus
Laceration (Tear) or Episiotomy Occasionally, an episiotomy (a surgical incision that enlarges the vaginal opening) is performed to facilitate the birth of the baby. The amount of pain following an episiotomy or deep tear varies among individuals. It is caused by the swelling of the tissues surrounding the vagina as well as by the incision or deep tear. Swelling and discomfort usually peak on the second or third day after delivery, but it is difficult to predict how long the discomfort will persist. Some women experience little or no discomfort, while others experience dull, aching pain for some time. This is normal and eventually subsides. Helpful Hints for Care of the Perineum:
Cesarean Birth Helpful Hints
Hemorrhoids Treatment for Hemorrhoids
For which reason would the nurse encourage a client to void during the first stage of labor?Patients are encouraged to void before palpation of the uterine fundus because a full bladder displaces the uterus and can lead to excessive bleeding.
What complication should a nurse be alert for in a client receiving an oxytocin infusion to induce labor?The main adverse effects of oxytocin are related to uterine hyperstimulation, where there's too much contraction. This could cause painful contractions, and lead to uterine rupture and hemorrhage. It could even restrict placental blood flow, resulting in abnormal fetal heart rate patterns.
Which instruction with the nurse gives a client in labor who begins to experience dizzy and tingling of her hands?If she feels dizzy, unwell, is feeling pins-and-needles (tingling) in her face, hands and feet, encourage her to breathe more slowly. To prevent pushing at the end of first stage of labour, teach her to pant, to breathe with an open mouth, to take in 2 short breaths followed by a long breath out.
Which technique would the nurse suggest to a laboring woman's partner that involves gently stroking the woman's abdomen?Effleurage and Counterpressure
Effleurage is light stroking, usually of the abdomen, in rhythm with breathing during contractions. It is used to distract the woman from contraction pain.
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