Lumpy abdomen following vag delivery?

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

Upon doing one of my fundal assessments during my primip's recovery period after a lady partsl delivery, I was very easily able to locate the fundus and it was firm just as it had been thus far. However, I noticed a couple spots of soft lumpiness about the length and width of my finger above the umbilicus and to the side (only way I can think to describe it). Her fundus was U/U & midline. Lochia was a small amount. The lumpiness went away as I touched her abdomen and I never noticed it again with any of my subsequent rechecks. Any idea what that was? Each assessment was unremarkable otherwise.

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Specializes in OB.

Was it the fundus itself that felt "lumpy"? I have found that if there are clots in the uterus the fundus may feel lumpy rather than smoothly rounded. With fundal massage the clots may be expelled and the fundus will feel normal.

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Nope, the fundus was perfectly firm and smooth! The lumpiness was in the upper abdomen.

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Specializes in L&D.

Hmm, I would have thought clots as well....is it possible you were feeling a fibroid?

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I felt it in 2 spots and they were more in the lower part of the upper abdominal quadrant, so not even immediately near the fundus. After pressing on them, they disappeared. Is it farfetched to wonder if they were gas bubbles?!

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Specializes in Reproductive & Public Health.

I'd guess you are feeling loops of gassy bowel through a diastasis? Not at all far fetched to feel gas bubbles- I've felt them many times myself!

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You felt stool.

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I have a patient with the same assessment findings today. We concluded gas.

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