Study of the uterine cavity by ultrasound in the early puerperium.
The uterine cavity length, maximum width and area were determined by ultrasonic scanning in ten women after their first full term delivery (primiparae) and ten women after their second full term delivery (secundiparase) during the first eight days of the puerperium. A consistent and progressive decrease in all three measurements was found; although faster between days 1 and 3 than between days 3 and 8 the difference was statistically significant only for cavity area. The rates of involution for both parity groups were similar and were not influenced by breast feeding. The cavity length in primiparae and secundiparae was also similar, but the maximum width on days 3, 5 and 8 and the area on days 3 and 5 were significantly greater in secundiparae. A correlation between the infant birth weight and cavity length on day 1 and between infant birth weight and cavity area on days 1, 3 and 5 was found in secundiparae.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001724:Birth Weight; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008423:Maternal Age; D010298:Parity; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014599:Uterus / Q000033:anatomy & histology*