Changes

== The Puerperium ==

== The Puerperium ==

[[Puerperium - Anatomy & Physiology|Puerperium]] describes the period of time immediately following parturition, when the female enters a period of reproductive repair and begins lactation. For a period of time these two processes overlap. During this time the female experiences regular myometrial contractions which expel the remaining fluid and tissues present following birth, allowing the uterus to begin involution and repair so that the reproductive cycle can begin once more. The discharge appears at the vulva and is known as lochia. The process of birth can predispose the reproductive tract to heavy bacterial contamination, but physiological and hormonal changes encourage the removal of bacteria before infection can become established. There are many environmental and management influences that will affect the length of time that puerperium lasts, as well as differences between [[The Puerperium - Species Differences in the Puerperium- Anatomy & Physiology| species]].

[[Puerperium - Anatomy & Physiology|Puerperium]] describes the period of time immediately following parturition, when the female enters a period of reproductive repair and begins lactation. For a period of time these two processes overlap. During this time the female experiences regular myometrial contractions which expel the remaining fluid and tissues present following birth, allowing the uterus to begin involution and repair so that the reproductive cycle can begin once more. The discharge appears at the vulva and is known as lochia. The process of birth can predispose the reproductive tract to heavy bacterial contamination, but physiological and hormonal changes encourage the removal of bacteria before infection can become established. There are many environmental and management influences that will affect the length of time that puerperium lasts, as well as differences between species.

== Lactation ==

== Lactation ==