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. (Chapter 11.4)

Bonding: The emotional connection and attachment that develops between parents and their newborn. (Chapter 11.2)

Breastfeeding: The act of feeding a newborn with breast milk produced by the mother. (Chapter 11.3)

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. (Chapter 11.2)

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. (Chapter 11.3)

Colostrum: The first milk produced by the breasts in the days following childbirth and rich in nutrients and antibodies that support the baby’s immune system. (Chapter 11.2)

Clonus: Assessed by dorsiflexing the client’s foot and assessing for rhythmic plantar contractions. (Chapter 11.5)

Diaphoresis: Excess sweating. (Chapter 11.2)

Diastasis recti abdominis: The muscles in the midline of the abdomen stretch to the point of separation. (Chapter 11.2)

Diuresis: Increased urine output. (Chapter 11.2)

Endometritis: Inflammation of the uterus generally caused by infection. (Chapter 11.2, Chapter 11.4)

En face positioning: Where the parent’s face and infant’s face are approximately eight inches apart. (Chapter 11.5)

Engorgement: Swelling and fullness of the breasts caused by an increase in milk production after childbirth. (Chapter 11.2)

Engrossment: Intense interest and absorption in the newborn by new parents. (Chapter 11.5)

Episiotomy: A surgical incision made in the perineum to widen the vaginal opening during childbirth, intended to prevent severe tearing. (Chapter 11.2)

First-degree laceration: Limited to the perineal skin and vaginal mucous membrane. (Chapter 11.5)

Foremilk: Released at the beginning of the breastfeeding session and is high in water and protein content but low in fat. (Chapter 11.2)

Fourth-degree laceration: Areas of the third degree with extension through the rectal mucosa into the lumen of the rectum. (Chapter 11.5)

Fundal massage: The technique of massaging the uterus to stimulate contractions to decrease postpartum bleeding. (Chapter 11.4)

Fundus: Top of the uterus. (Chapter 11.4)

Good approximation: Indicates that the incision edges are aligning well. (Chapter 11.5)

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. (Chapter 11.5)

Heavy lochia: Saturates a peri pad in one hour or includes clots larger than a golf ball with lochia. (Chapter 11.5)

Hindmilk: Released later in the breastfeeding session and is high in fat and calories. (Chapter 11.2)

Hypersomnia: Excessive sleeping. (Chapter 11.4)

Inadequate latch: Latch that results in painful, cracked nipples; nipples shaped irregularly after nursing; pain during breastfeeding; and a feeling of lack of emptying of the breast. (Chapter 11.5)

Involution: Shrinkage of the uterus. (Chapter 11.2)

Kegel exercises: Pelvic floor muscle exercises that help strengthen the muscles supporting the bladder, uterus, and rectum. (Chapter 11.2)

Lactation consultant: A professional who specializes in providing education and support to breastfeeding mothers to ensure successful breastfeeding. (Chapter 11.4)

Lactogenesis: The physiologic process of developing the means to secrete milk. (Chapter 11.2)

Latch: The way a newborn attaches to the mother’s breast for feeding, which is important for efficient milk transfer and preventing nipple soreness. (Chapter 11.5)

Letdown: A reflex caused by oxytocin release that contracts the alveoli and ejects milk from the breast. (Chapter 11.2)

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. (Chapter 11.3, Chapter 11.5)

Linea nigra: A dark vertical line on the abdomen. (Chapter 11.2)

Lochia: Maternal postpartum vaginal discharge. (Chapter 11.2)

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. (Chapter 11.2)

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. (Chapter 11.2)

Lochia serosa: Lochia changes in postpartum Days 4 to 10 that is pinkish-brown and consists of white blood cells, cervical mucus, and discharge from the healing placental site. (Chapter 11.2)

Lordosis: Curving in of the lumbar spine. (Chapter 11.2)

Mastitis: Inflammation and/or infection of the breast associated with breastfeeding. (Chapter 11.4)

Maternal Role Attainment Theory: Theory by Ramona Mercer, which suggests that early skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding, and minimizing time apart promote bonding, decrease maternal anxiety, and encourage attainment of the maternal role. (Chapter 11.3)

Moderate lochia: Equal or greater than a 10-centimeter stain. (Chapter 11.5)

Myomectomy: Surgical removal of uterine fibroids. (Chapter 11.4)

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. (Chapter 11.5)

Perineal hematoma: Swollen, firm, bluish-purple discoloration between the vagina and anus, indicating a collection of blood beneath the skin. (Chapter 11.5)

Perineum: The area of tissue between the vaginal opening and the anus, which can experience stretching or tearing during childbirth. (Chapter 11.2, Chapter 11.5)

Poor approximation: Suggest separation or wound dehiscence. (Chapter 11.5)

Postpartum: Period following birth or delivery lasting six weeks. (Chapter 11.1, Chapter 11.2)

Postpartum anemia (PPA): Affects 50-80% of postpartum clients due to blood loss during delivery, as well as preexisting iron deficiency. (Chapter 11.2)

Postpartum depression (PPD): 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. (Chapter 11.2, Chapter 11.4)

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH): One of the most common complications of birth; 1,000 mL of blood loss within 24 hours of birth for both vaginal and cesarean births. (Chapter 11.4)

Postpartum psychosis: A psychiatric emergency with risk for potential suicide and infanticide. (Chapter 11.4)

Preload: Filling pressure of the heart. (Chapter 11.2)

Quantitative blood loss (QBL): A process of weighing and measuring the amount of blood lost during childbirth and the immediate postpartum period. (Chapter 11.4)

Resilience: The capacity to cope with difficulties. (Chapter 11.3)

Scant lochia: Equal to or less than 2.5-centimeter stain of lochia rubra. (Chapter 11.5)

Second-degree laceration: Perineal skin, vaginal mucous membrane, underlying fascia, and central tendon of the perineum that lies between the vagina and the anus. (Chapter 11.5)

Secure attachment: When a caregiver is sensitive to the infant’s needs and consistently and effectively responds to them. (Chapter 11.3)

Sepsis: A life-threatening condition where the body’s immune system overreacts to an infection, causing widespread inflammation and potential organ damage. (Chapter 11.4)

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. (Chapter 11.4)

Sitz baths: Sitting in a warm shallow bath. (Chapter 11.5)

Small lochia: Lochia resulting in less than a 10-centimeter stain. (Chapter 11.5)

Spinal headache: A severe headache that worsens when the person sits in an upright position. (Chapter 11.2)

Stress incontinence: Urine leakage with increased abdominal pressure like coughing or sneezing. (Chapter 11.2, Chapter 11.5)

Striae: Stretch marks. (Chapter 11.2)

Subinvolution: Uterus not adequately returning to its prepregnant size. (Chapter 11.2, Chapter 11.4)

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. (Chapter 11.4)

Taking-hold: Phase that occurs four to ten days after delivery when 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. (Chapter 11.3, Chapter 11.5)

Taking-in: Phase that occurs in the first one to three days after birth when the postpartum client is focused on their physical recovery, adapting to body changes, and caring for the newborn. (Chapter 11.3, Chapter 11.5)

Third-degree laceration: Areas of the second degree with extension through the anal sphincter that may extend up the anterior wall of the rectum. (Chapter 11.5)

Uterine involution: The process by which the uterus returns to its pre-pregnancy size and location after childbirth. (Chapter 11.2, Chapter 11.5)