401072 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Urinary Incontinence, Lochia
Document Summary
In the rst few days following childbirth, the risk of dvt is relatively high as hyper coagulability increases during pregnancy and is maximal in the postpartum period, particularly for women with c-section with reduced mobility. Anti coagulants may be prescribed or physical methods such as compression are commonly indicated to decrease the risk of dvt. The increased vascularity and edema of the woman"s vagina gradually resolves in about three weeks. The cervix gradually narrows and lengths over a few weeks. Postpartum urinary incontinence is experienced by about 33% of all women; women who deliver vaginally are about twice as likely to have urinary incontinence as women who give birth via a cesarean. Urinary incontinence in this period increases the risk of long term incontinence. Discharge from the uterus, called lochia, will gradually decrease and turn from bright red, to brownish, to yellow and cease at around ve or six weeks.
