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CHANGES IN COMMON PLASMA SOLUTE LEVELS DURING LABOUR AND THE PUERPERIUM
Author(s) -
Macdonald H. N.,
Good W.,
Stone Joan
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1974.tb00401.x
Subject(s) - post partum , albumin , medicine , plasma osmolality , endocrinology , pregnancy , chemistry , zoology , biology , genetics , vasopressin
Summary A statistically planned evaluation was made of changes which occur in the common plasma solutes between early labour and the eighth puerperal week. Total protein and albumin fell sharply after delivery and reached a minimum about 36 hours post partum. Albumin was still below normal on the seventh puerperal day. Potassium, sodium and plasma osmolality rose rapidly after delivery and approached normal levels by 72 hours post partum; plasma CO2 combining power behaved similarly although the normal level was sometimes exceeded transiently between 48 and 72 hours after delivery. Plasma urea rose steadily and was occasionally slightly above normal on the seventh puerperal day. The blood haematocrit fell to a minimum about 72 hours post partum and rose slowly thereafter.