Relief and Discomfort

AIRA SHANE MARGES BSN-2D
Relief of Discomfort
1. After pains- Pain from uterine contractions is similar to pain from menstrual
cramps and can be intense. It’s usually helpful to assure a woman that this type of
discomfort, although painful, is normal and rarely lasts longer than 3 days. If necessary,
either ibuprofen (such as Motrin), which has anti-inflammatory and antiprostaglandin
properties, or a common analgesic such as acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) is effective
for pain relief. As with any abdominal pain, heat to the abdomen should be avoided,
because it could cause relaxation of the uterus and subsequent uterine bleeding. Remind
the woman that the total 24-hour dose for acetaminophen is 3,000 mg so she does not
take an excessive amount after returning home.
2. Muscular Aches- Pain during labor is caused by contractions of the muscles of the
uterus and by pressure on the cervix. This pain can be felt as strong cramping in the
abdomen, groin, and back, as well as an achy feeling. Some women experience pain in
their sides or thighs as well. Many women feel so sore and achy after labor and birth that
they describe feeling as if they have “run for miles.” A backrub is usually effective for
relieving an aching back or shoulders, but some woman may appreciate a mild analgesic
such as acetaminophen for the pain. Carefully assess a woman who states she has pain
in the calf of her leg on standing because pain in the calf on standing (a position that
dorsiflexes the foot) is Homans sign and could indicate that thrombophlebitis is present.
3. Hot and Cold Therapy- Applying an ice or cold pack to the perineum during the
first 24 hours reduces perineal edema and the possibility of hematoma formation, and
also reduces pain and promotes healing and comfort. Be certain not to place ice or
plastic directly on the woman’s perineum. Use a commercial cold pack, or wrap an ice
bag first in a towel or disposable pad, to decrease the chance of a thermal burn (risk of
injury increases because the perineum has decreased sensation from edema after birth).
During hot therapy, the use of a warm shower, blanket or a heat pack is known for
soothing, pain-relieving effects. Commercial hot packs grow warm after they are
“cracked” and the chemicals in them combine. Caution women to use a washcloth or
gauze square between the pack and their skin, to prevent a possible burn. Ice to the
perineum after the first 24 hours is no longer therapeutic because, after this time, healing
increases best if circulation to the area is encouraged by the use of heat. Dry heat in the
form of a perineal hot pack or moist heat with a sitz bath are both effective ways to
increase circulation to the perineum, provide comfort, reduce edema, and promote
healing.
4. Perineal Exercises- Some women find that carrying out perineal exercises three
or four times a day can greatly relieve perineal edema. The most effective exercise
consists of contracting and relaxing the muscles of the perineum 5 to 10 times in
succession, as if trying to stop voiding (Kegel exercises). This aids comfort by improving
circulation to the area and decreasing edema. When repeated frequently, Kegel
exercises can also help a woman regain her pre-pregnant muscle tone and help prevent
urinary incontinence.
5. Episiotomy Care- An episiotomy procedure is done so that the opening of the

vagina can be made larger to facilitate the birth of a baby. An incision is made in the
perineum, the portion between anus and the opening of the vagina, whenever the
opening of the vagina does not stretch sufficiently for the baby to come out. Although
relatively small in size, episiotomy sutures can cause considerable discomfort, because
the perineum is an extremely sensitive area and the muscles of the perineum are
involved in so many activities such as sitting, walking, stooping, squatting, bending,
urinating, and defecating. Because the perineal area heals rapidly, you can assure a
woman that discomfort is normal and does not usually last longer than 5 or 6 days. Most
primary care providers prescribe a soothing anesthetic cream or spray to be applied to
the suture line to reduce discomfort. Caution a woman not to use aspirin for pain relief
during the postpartal period because it interferes with blood clotting and may increase
her risk for hemorrhage from the denuded placental site. If a woman is worried she will
experience additional discomfort when her episiotomy sutures are removed, you can
assure her these sutures will dissolve within 10 days and thus do not need to be
removed.

Relief and Discomfort

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Relief and Discomfort

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Relief and Discomfort

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

AIRA SHANE MARGES BSN-2D

5. Episiotomy Care- An episiotomy procedure is done so that the opening of the

You might also like

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.