pregnancy Flashcards
what is the problem with Rhesus disease
-maternally derived anti-Rh IgGs could cross placenta, bind to fetal RBCs
-subsequent pregnancies: mother’s IgG antibodies can cross into placenta and destroy fetal RBCs
-leading to brain damage (from bilirubin) and anemia (no RBCs)
what is a treatment for Rhesus disease
RhoGAM
-IgG anti-Rh antibody
-prevents Rh from being attacked and B cells from mother won’t recognize Rh
what is the mechanism of action for RhoGAM
-bind to fetal RBCs before any of mother’s B cells recognize antigen as foreign - so no maternal antibodies are made
-antibody-mediated immune suppression
-selectively inhibiting immune response to a specific antigen
what if mom didn’t get RhoGAM, and she gets pregnant a second time
-generate anti-Rh antibodies
-monitor anti-Rh antibody levels
-levels high? monitor fetus carefully for anemia
-anemic? intrauterine blood transfusion and/or early delivery, depending on stage of gestation
when is RhIg thought to be ineffective
once alloimmunization RhD antigen has occurred (ie: once mom’s B cells have started making anti-Rh antibodies
up until what week is it considered an embryo
8
what weeks are considered a fetus
9-parturition
it is most harmful to an embryo/fetus to be exposed to teratrogens:
in the first trimester
-can cause miscarriages
-fetal alcohol syndrome
how do teratogens (drugs) cause fetal disorders
-heroin and cocaine: can cross placenta and lead to newborns with addiction
-marijuana: lowers estrogen secretion and increases chance of miscarriage
-tobacco: constricts placental vessels; CO binds to fetal Hb leading to anemia = impaired growth and development
what is “weathering” in black women
middle aged black women’s chromosomes are aged more than white women due to stress and racism
where can the blastocyst implant
anywhere
eg: endometrium, oviduct, ovary, abdominal cavity
what can inflammation increase the likelihood of
-deposition of fibrin
-reduced/stopped movement of cilia in oviduct
what is preeclampsia due to
inadequate blood flow to umbilical cord/fetus
how would mother’s body compensate for this inadequate perfusion of fetal tissue
increase in blood pressure
what happens if placenta covers the cervix
cause bleeding, prevent vaginal delivery
