XI Glossary

Baby blues: Mild mood swings and feelings of sadness that commonly occur within the first two weeks after childbirth. They are usually temporary and resolve on their own.

Bonding: The emotional connection and attachment that develops between parents and their newborn.

Breastfeeding: The act of feeding a newborn with breast milk produced by the mother.

Cesarean section (C-section birth): A surgical procedure in which the baby is delivered through an incision made in the mother’s abdomen and uterus.

Chestfeeding: Term used by many transmasculine and non-binary parents to describe how they feed and nurture their children from their bodies. Some prefer the term nursing instead, while others prefer breastfeeding. Nurses should warmly accept whatever term a family chooses for their own experiences.

Colostrum: The first milk produced by the breasts in the days following childbirth, rich in nutrients and antibodies that support the baby’s immune system.

Clonus: Assessed by dorsiflexing the client’s foot and assessing for rhythmic plantar contractions.

Diaphoresis: Excess sweating.

Diastasis recti abdominis: The muscles in the midline of the abdomen stretch to the point of separation.

Endometritis: Inflammation of the uterus generally caused by infection.

En face positioning: Where the parent’s face and infant’s face are approximately eight inches apart.

Engorgement: Swelling and fullness of the breasts caused by an increase in milk production after childbirth.

Engrossment: Intense interest and absorption in the newborn by new parents.

Episiotomy: A surgical incision made in the perineum to widen the vaginal opening during childbirth, intended to prevent severe tearing.

First degree laceration: Limited to the perineal skin and vaginal mucous membrane

Foremilk: Released at the beginning of the breastfeeding session and is high in water and protein content but low in fat.

Fourth degree laceration: Areas of the third degree with extension through the rectal mucosa into the lumen of the rectum

Fundal massage: The technique of massaging the uterus to stimulate contractions to decrease postpartum bleeding.

Fundus: Top of the uterus.

Good approximation: Indicates that the incision edges are aligning well.

Good latch: The infant’s chest being against the mother’s chest, the infant’s head being straight and not turned to the side, the infant’s mouth being wide prior to latching, and the areola, not just the nipple, in the infant’s mouth.

Heavy lochia: Saturates a peripad pad in one hour or includes clots larger than a golf ball with lochia.

Hindmilk: Released later in the breastfeeding session and is high in fat and calories.

Hypersomnia: Excessive sleeping.

Inadequate latch: Latch which results in painful, cracked nipples; nipples shaped irregularly after nursing; pain during breastfeeding; and a feeling of lack of emptying of the breast.

Involution: Shrinkage of the uterus.

Kegel exercises: Pelvic floor muscle exercises that help strengthen the muscles supporting the bladder, uterus, and rectum.

Lactation consultant: A professional who specializes in providing education and support to breastfeeding mothers to ensure successful breastfeeding.

Lactogenesis: The physiologic process of developing the means to secrete milk

Latching: The way a newborn attaches to the mother’s breast for feeding, which is important for efficient milk transfer and preventing nipple soreness.

Late PPH: PPH that occurs after 24 hours following delivery of the placenta and up to 12 weeks postpartum

Letdown: A reflex caused by oxytocin release that contracts the alveoli and ejects milk from the breast.

Letting go: Begins several weeks after delivery as the client establishes a new parental role identity and focuses on the family unit. During this phase, the client accepts physical separation from the infant, lets go of their former role as a childless person, accepts the responsibilities of parenthood, and adjusts to the infant’s dependency and helplessness.

Linea nigra: A dark vertical line on the abdomen.

Lochia: Maternal postpartum vaginal discharge.

Lochia alba: The final type of postpartum lochia and is yellow-white and consists of white blood cells, epithelial cells, and mucus. It occurs from approximately postpartum days 10 to 28.

Lochia rubra: Occurs during the first one to three days postpartum and originates from the placental site. It is bright to dark red and consists of blood, cervical discharge, and uterine lining.

Lochia serosa: Lochia changes in postpartum days 4 to 10 which is pinkish-brown and consists of white blood cells, cervical mucus, and discharge from the healing placental site.

Lordosis: Curving in of the lumbar spine.

Mastitis: Inflammation and/or infection of the breast associated with breastfeeding.

Maternal Role Attainment Theory: Theory by Ramona Mercer which suggests that early skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding, and minimizing time apart promotes bonding, decreases maternal anxiety, and encourages attainment of the maternal role.

Moderate lochia: Equal or greater than a 10 centimeter stain.

Myomectomy: Surgical removal of uterine fibroids.

Peri bottles: Plastic bottles with a spray spout that are filled with warm water and gently sprayed on the perineum for cleansing and comfort after voiding and bowel movements.

Perineal hematoma: Swollen, firm, bluish-purple discoloration between the vagina and anus, indicating a collection of blood beneath the skin.

Perineum: The area of tissue between the vaginal opening and the anus, which can experience stretching or tearing during childbirth.

Poor approximation: Suggest separation or wound dehiscence.

Postpartum: Period following birth or delivery lasting six weeks.

Postpartum anemia: Affects 50-80% of postpartum clients due to blood loss during delivery, as well as preexisting iron deficiency.

Postpartum depression: A mood disorder that can affect new mothers, characterized by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and exhaustion. It typically occurs within the first few months after childbirth.

Postpartum psychosis: A psychiatric emergency with risk for potential suicide and infanticide.

Preload: Filling pressure of the heart.

Quantitative blood loss (QBL): A process of weighing and measuring the amount of blood lost during childbirth and the immediate postpartum period.

Resilience: The capacity to cope with difficulties.

Scant lochia: Equal to or less than 2.5 centimeter stain of lochia rubra.

Second degree laceration: Perineal skin, vaginal mucous membrane, underlying fascia, and central tendon of the perineum that lies between the vagina and the anus.

Secure attachment: When a caregiver is sensitive to the infant’s needs and consistently and effectively responds to them.

Septic shock: A life-threatening decrease in blood pressure (systolic pressure <90 mm Hg) that prevents cells and other organs from receiving enough oxygen and nutrients, causing multi-organ failure and death.

Sepsis: A life-threatening condition where the body’s immune system overreacts to an infection, causing widespread inflammation and potential organ damage.

Sitz baths: Sitting in a warm shallow bath

Small lochia: Lochia resulting in less than a 10 centimeter stain.

Spinal headache: A severe headache that worsens when the person sits in an upright position.

Stress incontinence: Urine leakage with increased abdominal pressure like coughing or sneezing.

Striae: Stretch marks.

Subinvolution: Uterus not adequately returning to its prepregnant size.

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS): A serious condition that occurs when the body has an exaggerated defense response to a harmful stressor, resulting in severe inflammation throughout the body.

Taking hold: Phase that occurs four to ten days after delivery, the postpartum client’s focus turns to the newborn. The client becomes more confident in caring for the newborn and more comfortable in the maternal role, but may continue to seek support from family members and friends who can provide guidance and understanding.

Taking-in: Phase that occurs in the first one to three days after birth, the postpartum client is focused on their physical recovery, adapting to body changes, and caring for the newborn.

Third degree laceration: Areas of the second degree with extension through the anal sphincter that may extend up the anterior wall of the rectum.

Uterine involution: The process by which the uterus returns to its pre-pregnancy size and location after childbirth