Minor Disorders Of Pregnancy Flashcards
(26 cards)
Anaemia
A result of haemodilution
Symptoms include; fatigue, dizziness, tachycardia, pale appearance.
Treatment: iron supplements/ dietary iron
Back pain
Affects 50% of women caused by combination of; increased progesterone, increased relaxin, increased weight gain, postural changes.
Treatments: back care, gentle exercise, especially in water.
Bloating
Caused by: Progesterone reduces gastric muscle tone and motility, delay in stomach emptying, results in bloating.
Braxton Hicks
Starts as early as week 6, usually painless and helps increase blood flow to placenta.
Caused by: having full bladder/ too much movement/ dehydration.
C is for
Constipation: progesterone slows lack of exercise or certain medications cause it. Increased fibre in diet, and fluid intake, or bulking agents eg lactulose.
Carpal tunnel: result of swelling and compression of nerves in wrist, pain and pins and needles. Treatment elevating arm on pillow/ using splint.
Cramp: build up of lactic acid, pain wakens. Treatment exercising muscles before bed, during cramp pull foot towards body.
D is for
Dehydration: caused by morning sickness, increased metabolism, dizziness and fatigue. Treatment increase oral fluids, anti-emetics, IV fluids.
Dyspnea: shortness of breath caused by mechanical changes in
E is for
Lack of energy, not equally distributed through pregnancy.
Treatment is good rest, sleep hygiene and discussing expectations
F is for
Fainting: caused by low BP treatments not lying on back, ,ain’t sin hydration, and sitting down
Flatulence: hormonal changes relax GI tract causing slow digestive process (results in burping/ farting) treatment balanced diet
G is for:
Girdle pain: pain over pubic bone and hips, worse when walking up down stairs or turning in bed. Treatment: exercise pelvic floor, stomach, back, in water
H is for
Headaches: lack of sleep, hormones, low blood sugar, dehydration, caffeine withdrawal, stress persistent heath ache sign of high BP
I is for
Indigestion: hormonal. Treatment eating little and often, head elevated, peppermint tea, eat slowly and not at bed time.
L is for
Linea nigra: second trimester appears, vertical line from umbilicus to pubis, pigmentation due to change in hormones.
M for
Mood swings: fluctuate during pregnancy, progesterone and oestrogen responsible talking helps
N for
Nausea: mild to severe from 2 weeks due to hCG. Treatment eating little and often plenty fluids, may need vitamins
O for
Oedema: 50% more blood and body fluids to meet demands of baby, swelling of legs face abdomen hands. Treatment elevating legs drinking plenty fluids
P is for
Pytalism: condition that causes over production of saliva, nausea can cause some women to swallow less, may cause some teeth issues due to increased acidity in the mouth. Treatments brushing, flossing, diet, drugs, chewing sugar free gum
Q is for
Quickening: early fetal movements, occurs around 16 weeks
R is for
Round ligament pain: occurs in second trimester sharp jabbing pain in one or both sides of groin, ligaments supporting uterus stretch spasm and thin to accommodate the baby, treatment paracetamol
S is for
Striae gravidarum: affects 8/10 women first sign is itchiness occurs when middle layer of skin is stretched and broken
T is for
Teeth/gums: hormonal changes makes gums vulnerable to plaque leads to inflammation and bleeding in gums
U is for
Urine infections: progesterone causes kidney and ureter to dialate, growing uterus puts pressure on bladder, treatment is antibiotics, increased fluids, fully emptying bladder, hygiene measures.
V is for
Vaginal discharge: avoids infection tracking up vagina towards end of pregnancy becomes thicker, abnormal if green/ itchy/ smelly.
W is for
Worry and fear: can be normal but be careful can lead to depression treatment is reassurance
X is for
Xtreme tiredness: woman sleep more in early pregnancy disturbed sleep increases again in later pregnancy woman experience strange dreams.
