Changes

== The Puerperium ==

== The Puerperium ==

[[The Puerperium - Overview of the 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 [[The Puerperium - Myometrial Contraction and Expulsion of Lochia - Anatomy & Physiology|myometrial contractions]] which expel the remaining fluid and tissues present following birth, allowing the uterus to begin [[The Puerperium - Endometrial Repair- Anatomy & Physiology|involution and repair]] so that the reproductive cycle can begin once more. The discharge appears at the vulva and is known as [[The Puerperium - Myometrial Contraction and Expulsion of Lochia - Anatomy & Physiology|lochia]]. The process of birth can predispose the reproductive tract to heavy bacterial contamination, but physiological and hormonal changes encourage the [[The Puerperium - Elimination of Bacterial Contamination of the Reproductive Tract- Anatomy & Physiology|removal of bacteria]] before infection can become established. There are many [[The Puerperium - Factors Influencing the Puerperium- Anatomy & Physiology|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]].

[[The Puerperium - Overview of the 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 [[The Puerperium - Myometrial Contraction and Expulsion of Lochia - Anatomy & Physiology|myometrial contractions]] which expel the remaining fluid and tissues present following birth, allowing the uterus to begin [[The Puerperium - Endometrial Repair- Anatomy & Physiology|involution and repair]] so that the reproductive cycle can begin once more. The discharge appears at the vulva and is known as [[The_Puerperium_-_Myometrial_Contraction_and_Expulsion_of_Lochia_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Lochia|lochia]]. The process of birth can predispose the reproductive tract to heavy bacterial contamination, but physiological and hormonal changes encourage the [[The Puerperium - Elimination of Bacterial Contamination of the Reproductive Tract- Anatomy & Physiology|removal of bacteria]] before infection can become established. There are many [[The Puerperium - Factors Influencing the Puerperium- Anatomy & Physiology|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]].

== Lactation ==

== Lactation ==