Chapter 13 Flashcards
(84 cards)
Pregnancy is also known as ___
Lasts about how many weeks /days ?from her last menstrual period or from 266 from conception
Gestation
40 weeks or 280 days
Maternal physiological adaptions affect all body systems and are attributed to the hormones of pregnancy and to mechanical pressures arising from the enlargement of the uterus
What do you think these adaptions do?
Protect woman’s normal physiologic functioning
Meet metabolic demands
Provide nurturing environment for fetal development
What hormones help stimulate significant uterine growth in the first trimester ? (2)
Estrogen and progesterone
What are 3 things that help early uterine enlargment ?
Think about physical changes in the vagina, and muscles around it
Vascularity ( dilation of blood vessels )
- opening up the uterine
Hyperplasia ( new fibers )
- providing more support
Hypertrophy ( enlarged muscles )
- opening up for more space
So of course, as the uterus is enlarging, it’s going to change shape and position
By __ weeks, the uterus is from non pregnant pear shape to what shape ; and becomes larger and more ovoid as the term contuines
12 weeks
Spherical or globular shape
During the first trimester typically women don’t show signs of pregnancy until 12 weeks have passed, in which we can see a little rise from the
___ into the ___
Take into account that this may differ for every woman however we can see the enraging uterus with tests
Pelvis into the abdominal cavity
As the uterus is growing, how can it be palpated ?
And during which weeks?
Above the symphysis pubis
12th-14th week
When the uterus has grown to the level of umbilicus by ____ it is nearly reaching the diploid process
20-22 weeks
As we come to the end of the pregnancy
( week 38-40 ) we will see a decrease in fundal height, why?
Because the fetus begins to descend into the pelvis ( also called lightening ) in order for birth
What does lightening mean?
When the fundal height decreases near the end of pregnancy in order for birth
When does lightening usually occur?
usually happens 2 weeks before labor
As the uterus enlarges, most organs are going to be displaced, an example of this is how the intestine will move to either side of the abdomen.
However the biggest thing to note is that when a pregnant woman is standing, most of uterus is resting against the abdominal wall, which means this alters her???
Center of gravity
At what weeks of gestation, does softening and compressibility of lower uterine segment occur?
6 weeks
What does hegar sign mean and when does it occur?
Softening and compressibility of the lower uterine segment
6 weeks
The hegar signs results in what for woman?
Urinary frequency because the uterine fundus pressures on the urinary bladder
When do women typically feel the Braxton hicks?
4th month of pregnancy
What are Braxton hicks contractions function?
Enhance blood flow through the intervillous spaces
Are braxton hicks contractions painful?
And how do you relieve?
No
Walking & exercise
Placental perfusion is all dependent on the mother blood flow to the uterus.
So what factors do you think would decrease this blood flow (3)
Low maternal arterial pressure
Uterine contractions
Maternal supine position
( laying on back )
What is a hormone that can help promote this placental perfusion that is dependent on the mother for the baby?
Estrogen!!!
( this helps with baby growth!!! )
What is a machine we use to measure uterine blood flow velocity?
Doppler ultrasound!
What is a uterine soufflé or bruit?
Rushing or blowing sound of maternal blood flowing through uterine arteries that is synchronous to the maternal pulse
What is the funic soufflé ?
Fetal heart rate or fetus heartbeat!
What is a Ballottement ?
Passive movement of unengaged fetus
