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Which statement regarding the postpartum uterus is correct?

1) At the end of the third stage of labor, the postpartum uterus weighs approximately 500 g.
2) After 2 weeks postpartum, it should be abdominally nonpalpable.
3) After 2 weeks postpartum, it weighs 100 g.
4) Postpartum uterus returns to its original (prepregnancy) size by 6 weeks postpartum.

User Protongun
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

The postpartum uterus is abdominally nonpalpable after 2 weeks. Initially, it weighs about 500 grams following delivery, descending into the pelvis within two weeks and not palpable above the pubic symphysis.

Step-by-step explanation:

Regarding the postpartum uterus, the correct statement among the provided options is, "After 2 weeks postpartum, it should be abdominally nonpalpable." During the third trimester, the woman's body goes through significant physical changes to accommodate the growing fetus. Following childbirth, the postpartum uterus begins to shrink back towards its pre-pregnancy size, a process called involution. Initially, the uterus weighs about 1 kilogram right after birth, and by the end of the third stage of labor, weighs approximately 500 grams. It continues to decrease in weight gradually and within the first two weeks postpartum, it descends into the pelvis and should not be palpable above the pubic symphysis, meaning it is nonpalpable in the abdomen. However, it does not return to its original size of approximately 50-100 grams until about 6 weeks postpartum.

User Pavel Chlupacek
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