Changes in pregnancy - musculoskeletal system + endocrine system

Question 1

What affect does pregnancy have to joints

Answer 1

Causes a ‘laxness’

Question 2

What impact does the ‘laxness’ of joints have on the MSK

Answer 2

allows organs and joints to ‘shift’ but can also cause the development of the distinctive posture of pregnancy and pain around the back and pelvic area

Question 3

What hormones impact the MSK

Answer 3

progesterone, oestrogen, prolactin, relaxin

Question 4

What does the anterior pituitary produce

Answer 4

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH); Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH); Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH); Luteinising hormone (LH); Growth hormone (GH); Prolactin (PRL)

Question 5

What does the posterior pituitary store + release

Answer 5

Oxytocin, ADH, Vasopressin

Question 6

How does the pituitary change in pregnancy

Answer 6

Increases 2/3 x its original size due to increased blood flow

Question 7

What changes occur to prolactin

Answer 7

Number of prolactin secreting cells increase

Question 8

How does oxytocin production change

Answer 8

Increases in 2nd half of pregnancy

Question 9

Where is oestrogen produces

Answer 9

Corpus luteum until 8-10 weeks, then placenta from 8-12 weeks (small amounts by ovaries and adrenal glands)

Question 10

Where is progesterone produced

Answer 10

Corpus luteum until 8-10 weeks then placenta from 8-12 weeks (small amounts by ovaries and adrenal glands

Question 11

Describe the patterns in Human Placental Lactogen (hPL)

Answer 11

Increases as hCG levels fall + levels correlate with fetal + placental size - bigger fetus = higher levels

Question 12

Where is relaxine produced

Answer 12

Corpus luteum, myometrium + placenta

Question 13

When are relaxin levels highest in pregnancy

Answer 13

1st trimester

Question 14

What does oestrogen do to endometrial growth

Answer 14

Promotes endometrial growth

Question 15

What does oestrogen do to myometrial activity

Answer 15

Enhances myometrial activity

Question 16

what does oestrogen do to prolactin production

Answer 16

stimulates pituitary to increase prolactin production

Question 17

what does oestrogen do to myometrial vasodilation

Answer 17

promotes myometrial vasodilation - increasing blood flow through placenta

Question 18

what does oestrogen do to the uterus

Answer 18

increases sensitivity of uterus to progesterone in later pregnancy

Question 19

what does progesterone do to the endometrium

Answer 19

prepares endometrium for pregnancy/ implantation

Question 20

what does progesterone do to fetus

Answer 20

development of fetus

Question 21

how does progesterone impact breast tissue

Answer 21

promotes growth of breast tissue

Question 22

how does progesterone impact lactation

Answer 22

prevents lactation

Question 23

what does progesterone do to muscle

Answer 23

relaxation of smooth muscle

Question 24

how is the hPL involved in the maternal immune system

Answer 24

involved in protection of fetus from rejection by maternal immune system

Question 25

how is human placental lactogen involved in metabolism

Answer 25

increases maternal metabolism to enable greater glucose for fetal uptake

Question 26

what impact does relaxin have on pelvis

Answer 26

softens the ligaments of pelvis

Question 27

what does relaxin act with progesterone to do

Answer 27

maintain uterine quiescence

Question 28

when are relaxin levels highest (trimester)

Answer 28

1st trimester

Question 29

what does oxytocin prompt (uterus)

Answer 29

uterine contractions - uterotonic

Question 30

what does oxytocin do to umbilical cord

Answer 30

constriction of umbilical cord vessels

Question 31

how does oxytocin help with milk

Answer 31

works on muscle cells to expel milk and works before or during a feed to make milk flow

Question 32

why is oxytocin called the love hormone

Answer 32

induces feeling of love and well-being. is key in relationship building

Question 33

when are oxytocin levels highest

Answer 33

when baby is near - helped by sound, sight, smell of baby

Question 34

what factors can inhibit the production of oxytocin

Answer 34

stress, pain

Question 35

what is the role of prolactin on breasts

Answer 35

tells lactocytes to make milk

Question 36

what does prolactin do to stress

Answer 36

produces calmness and reduces stress

Question 37

how is prolactin triggered

Answer 37

through touch

Question 38

when do prolactin levels peak

Answer 38

after a feed + at night

Question 39

why does prolactin need to be stimulated early and frequently

Answer 39

to ensure long term production of milk

Question 40

what hormone does prolactin work in combination with

Answer 40

oxytocin

Question 41

where is lutenising hormone produced (LH)

Answer 41

anterior pituitary

Question 42

what does LH do to ovaries

Answer 42

regulates the functions of the ovaries and stimulates ovarian follicles to produce oestradiol

Question 43

what does LH stimulate ovarian follicles to produce

Answer 43

oestradiol

Question 44

when are LH levels high

Answer 44

around day 14 - to make follicle tear

Question 45

where is follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) produced

Answer 45

anterior pituitary

Question 46

what does FSH regulate

Answer 46

the function of the ovaries

Question 47

what does FSH stimulate

Answer 47

the growth of the follicle

Question 48

what day does FSH peak

Answer 48

day 14 to release oocyte

Question 49

What does hCG stand for

Answer 49

Human chorionic gonadotrophin

Question 50

where is hCG produced

Answer 50

the trophoblast

Question 51

when is hCG present

Answer 51

day 7 following fertilisation - in maternal circulation

Question 52

what does the hCG ensure the corpus luteum do

Answer 52

continues to produce progesterone until placenta formed

Question 53

what does hCG help endometrium do

Answer 53

prepare for implantation

Question 54

where is hCG visible

Answer 54

in urine + blood

Question 55

what does low levels of hCG potentially show

Answer 55

failing pregnancy