What would you expect to find during an examination of a woman 10 hours postpartum following a normal delivery?

In the context of a woman who is 10 hours postpartum following a normal delivery, it is expected that the uterus should be around the level of the umbilicus. This is due to the involution process where the uterus contracts and begins to return to its pre-pregnancy size. When the uterus is at the level of the umbilicus, this indicates a healthy and expected response after childbirth.

Bright red bleeding, termed lochia rubra, is also expected during the first few days postpartum. This type of bleeding consists of blood, and any retained clots, along with sloughed tissue from the uterus, and is considered normal during the early postpartum period. If the vagina is noted to be gaping, this may reflect the trauma and stretching that occurs during vaginal delivery.

While certain amounts of vaginal edema can be observed, particularly in the context of recent delivery, more significant findings related to a gaping vagina would be tied to the birth process. It is essential to recognize the combination of the fundal height at the umbilicus and bright red bleeding as a typical finding during this timeframe postpartum, affirming that the body's physiological responses are on track.

The other options presented do not align with the typical findings during this postpartum period