partuition Flashcards
(30 cards)
what is a pre term birth
22- 37 completed weeks
before 37 weeks
what is the estimated date of delivery
40 weeks or 280 days from the first day of the last menstrual period
is a RANGE not a fixed date
what is the actual fetal age compared with the gestastional age
the foetal age is two weeks less since the date of conception is not usually known
what does at term delivery mean
between 38 and 42 weeks
what is post term
beyond 42 weeks
what is the first trimester
up to 12 weeks (3 months)
what is the second trimester
12 - 27 weeks
what is the third trimester
28 weeks onwards
what is the gestational age
from the first day of the woman’s last menstrual period
age of pregnancy rather than foetus
what is quickening
the moment when the women starts to perceive foetal movements
how can gestational age be estimated
cycle length
memory
type of contraception used
size of the uterus
first trimester ultrasound biometru
gestational sac volume
crown rump length
second trimester
head circumference
biparietal diameter
femur length
how is the pregnant state maintained
uterine quiescence
gap junction expression down regulated
oxytocin down regulated
relaxin
collagen fibres predominate over smooth muscle
glycosaminogen ground substance
amnion and chorion membranes intact
low level of prostaglandin biosynthesis
what is cervical ripening
prostaglandin increase
increasing water content of glycosaminogen matirx
myometrial activity results in effacement and thinning of the cervix
relaxin upregulates matrix metalloproteinases
what are Braxton Hicks
un coordinated non painful contractions
what is relaxin
produced by the corpus luteum, placenta and decidua
contributes to uterine quiescence
release increases immediately before labour
softens and helps cervix dilate during labour
softens ligaments by affecting collagen
not just a pregnancy hormone
pregnant women vulnerable to ligament strain
what structures form relaxin
CL, placenta and decidua
what hormone contributes to uterine quiescence during pregnancy and is released immediately before labour
relaxin
what is cervical effacement
thining
cervix is normally 4 cm long
what is cervical ripening
softening
what is the latent phase of labour
effacement and ripening
onset of contractions
cervix is not yet dilated
what is the first stage of pregnancy
progressive increase in frequency and strength of contractions
cervical dilation
descent of presenting part
rupture of membranes
what is the second stage of labour
cervix fully dilated presenting part descends urge to bear down ferguson reflex delivery
what is the ferguson reflex
positive feedback mechanism
pressure on cervix and vagina causes release of oxytocin which cause uterine contractions which cause pressure on the cervix etc
what is the third stage of labour
expulsion of placenta and membranes
