Page 163 - Critical Maternity & Newborn Health Nursing

 Diuretics: to decrease the venous return to the heart and thereby

decrease the pulmonary and left atrial blood pressure so reducing

pulmonary congestion.

 Sedatives: help to alleviate anxiety and decrease the voluntary

muscle activity during the second stage of labor.

Reduction of Physical Exertion during Labor and Delivery

• Encourage relaxation and sleep between contractions.

• Support the woman emotionally to be less anxious.

• The nurse guards the woman against over exertion during pushing

by coaching her to use shorter more moderate, open glottis pushes

with complete relaxation between pushes.

• Monitor vital signs closely every 10 minutes during the second

stage.

• Oxytocin is contra-indicated for heart disease in first &second

stage.

• Blood loss during 3 and 4 stage of labor is kept to a minimum by

prompt delivery of the placenta and oxytocin administration and

bimanual compression

Nursing Care during Postpartum Period

Promotion of Recovery

• Monitor vital signs regularly.

• Maintain the woman in semi-Fowler’s position.

• The woman resumes activity gradually and progressively.

• Facilitate bowel elimination by controlling the diet.

Provision of Psychological Support

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