Final answer:
Massaging the fundus after delivery helps to stimulate contractions, assisting the uterus to return to its pre-pregnancy size and preventing postpartum hemorrhage. It is particularly essential to ensure the complete expulsion of the placenta and prevention of retained fragments, which could lead to excessive bleeding. Breastfeeding can naturally facilitate uterine contractions and further support this process.
Step-by-step explanation:
The practice of “massaging the fundus” of a mother after delivery is a crucial intervention to prevent excessive postpartum bleeding, which can lead to postpartum hemorrhage. The fundus, which is the upper part of the uterus, needs to contract effectively after childbirth to help the uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size and to prevent excessive bleeding from where the placenta was attached. During the third stage of labor, after the baby is delivered, the placenta needs to separate from the uterine wall and be expelled. Continued contractions help in shearing the placenta and reducing blood loss.
Massaging the fundus involves applying gentle, but firm pressure on the lower abdomen, stimulating the muscle in the uterus to contract more efficiently. If parts of the placenta or membranes remain in the uterus, they hinder contractions and can lead to hemorrhages. Uterine atony, which is a lack of muscle tone in the uterus, is a primary cause of postpartum hemorrhage. Fundal massage helps in achieving involution of the uterus, which is its contraction back to a smaller size. Healthcare providers may also give synthetic oxytocin, like Pitocin, to support these contractions.
Breastfeeding can assist this process as it naturally encourages the release of oxytocin, which stimulates uterine contractions. This natural process, combined with fundal massage, ensures that the uterus contracts properly and helps to prevent hemorrhage.