OB Terms Flashcards
(36 cards)
Ballottement
- The passive fetal movement elicited by pushing up against the cervix with 2 fingers
- this pushes the fetal body up and as it falls back the examiner feels the rebound
Braxton-hicks contractions
- irregular contractions of the uterus
- occur intermittently throughout pregnancy
- may be palpated bimanually beginning about the 4th month of pregnancy
- help stimulate the movement of blood through the intervillous spaces of the placenta
Chadwick sign
- blue purple discoloration of the cervix
- caused by vascularization of the cervix
- increased vascularization is a result of hypertrophy and engorgement of the vessels below the growing uterus
Colostrum
- an antibody rich, yellow secretion
- may be expressed manually by the 12th week
- may leak from breasts during the last trimester of pregnancy
- gradually converts to mature milk during the first few days following child birth
Goodall sign
- softening of the cervix
- caused by vascularization of the cervix
Mucous plug
- thick, tenacious mucus, produced from glandular tissue of the cervix
- accumulates and thickens, forming to seal the endscervical canal
- prevents the ascent of bacteria or other substances into the uterus
- expelled when cervical dialation begins
Striae
- purplish stretch marks
- turn silver after child birth
- breast changes are most noticeable in a first time pregnacy
Physiological anemia of pregnancy
- the plasma volume increase is 50% greater than the 25% increase of erythrocytes
- because of this the hematocrit decreases slightly
- this decrease is physiological anemia of pregnancy (pseudoanemia)
Supine hypotension syndrome
(Vena canal syndrome)
(Aortocaval compression)
- pressure interfering with returning blood flow cause by the enlarging uterus putting pressure on the vena cava when the woman is supine
- decreased BP, dizziness, pallor, and clamminess
- corrected by having the woman lie on her left side
Linea nigra
- increased pigmentation on the linea alba (midline of the abdomen from the pubic area to the umbilicus and above)
- causes this area to darken
Chloasma
Melasma gravidarum
- “mask of pregnancy”
- irregular pigmentation of the: cheeks, forehead, nose
- accentuated by sun exposure
- similar changes may occur in women who are taking oral contraceptives
- more prominent in dark haired women and is occasionally disfiguring
- it fades or at least regresses soon after birth when the hormonal influence of pregnancy has stopped
McDonald sign
- an ease in flexing of the body of the uterus against the cervix
Hegar sign
- softening of the isthmus of the uterus, the area between the cervix and the body of the uterus
- occurs between 6-8 weeks
- may become so soft that on a bimanual exam there seems to be nothing between the cervix and the body of the uterus
Quickening
- mothers perception o fetal movement
- 18-20 weeks
- in a woman who is primigravida (pregnant for the first time) it can occur as early as 16 weeks
Couvade
Traditionally
- observance of certain rituals and taboos by the male to signify the transition to fatherhood
Recently
- developing similar ailments that the mother is exibiting I.e. Fatigue, increased appetite, difficulty sleeping, depression, headache, backache
Antepartum
- time between conception and onset of labor
- usually used to describe the period during which a woman is pregnant
- used interchangeably with prenatal
Intrapartum
- time from onset of labor until the birth of the infant and placenta
Post partum
- time from birth until the woman’s body returns to an essentially prepregnant condition
- typically 6 weeks
Gestation
- the number of weeks since the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP)
Abortion
- birth that occurs before 20 weeks gestation
- or the fetus-newborn who weighs less than 500g
- may occur spontaneously
- or induced by surgical or medical means
- if induced it is deemed a therapeutic abortion
Term
No longer a term used
Early term
- extending from 37 0/7 weeks to 38 6/7 weeks
Full term
- 39 0/7 weeks to 40 6/7 weeks
Late term
41 0/7 weeks to 41 6/7 weeks