Question

A client experiences postpartum hemorrhage eight hours after the birth of twins. Following administration of IV fluids and 500 ml of whole blood, her hemoglobin and hematocrit are within normal limits. She asks the nurse whether she should continue to breast feed the infants. Which of the following is based on sound rationale?

A) "Nursing will help contract the uterus and reduce your risk of bleeding."
B) "Breastfeeding twins will take too much energy after the hemorrhage."
C) "The blood transfusion may increase the risks to you and the babies."
D) "Lactation should be delayed until the "real milk" is secreted."

Answer 1

Breastfeeding is advised as it helps with uterine contractions to reduce further postpartum bleeding, and it does not pose additional risks from the transfusion or energy demands.

Step-by-step explanation:

The client has just experienced a postpartum hemorrhage after giving birth to twins and has been stabilized with IV fluids and a blood transfusion. In response to the client's question about whether she should continue to breastfeed, the answer based on sound rationale is: "Nursing will help contract the uterus and reduce your risk of bleeding." Breastfeeding promotes uterine contractions, aiding in the process of involution, where the uterus returns to its pre-pregnancy size.

These contractions also help minimize further bleeding. does not significantly increase energy demand that cannot be compensated for with proper nutrition, and the blood transfusion given stabilizes the mother's condition, not posing additional risk to her or the infants. Lactation need not be delayed waiting for the "real milk" as the initial colostrum that the mother produces is highly beneficial for the newborns' immune systems and nutritional needs.