Pregnancy and labour

Question 1

Describe the process of implantation

Answer 1

Syncytiotrophoblast breaches uterine epithelia, Placenta forms

Question 2

Describe how the foetus receives blood

Answer 2

Villi form in the placenta, Foetal vessels develop in them, Spiral arteries from the mother form blood lakes around the villi

Question 3

State the hormones produced from the placenta

Answer 3

Human chorionic gonadotrophin, Progesterone, Oestrogen, Human chorionic somatomammotrophin

Question 4

Function of human chorionic gonadotrophin

Answer 4

Maintain corpus luteum

Question 5

Function of human chorionic somatomammotrophin

Answer 5

Increase mothers insulin resistance

Question 6

Function of placental progesterone and oestrogen

Answer 6

Replace corpus luteum past week 11, Maintain the endometrium

Question 7

Changes in the CVS during pregnancy

Answer 7

Increase in blood volume, BP reduces (progesterone causes vasodilation), Clotting factors increase

Question 8

Changes in the urinary system during pregnancy

Answer 8

GFR increases by 50%, Urea, creatinine and bicarbonate decrease

Question 9

Explain why there is an increased risk of UTI with pregnancy

Answer 9

Urinary stasis due to relaxation of the ureters due to progesterone

Question 10

Changes in the respiratory system during pregnancy

Answer 10

Functional residual capacity (Diaphragm can’t descend) and tidal volume (Due to progesterone) increase

Question 11

Changes in metabolism during pregnancy

Answer 11

Increase appetite, insulin resistance, and insulin

Question 12

Changes in GI system during pregnancy

Answer 12

Reduced emptying

Question 13

Explain why there is an increased risk of gall stones during pregnancy

Answer 13

Reduced gall bladder activity

Question 14

Describe cervical ripening

Answer 14

Amount of collagen in the cervix decreases due to prostaglandins

Question 15

Describe the pattern of contractions during pregnancy

Answer 15

Weak and frequent during the early phase, Stronger and less frequent later in the pregnancy

Question 16

Hormone increasing the force of contraction

Answer 16

Prostaglandins

Question 17

Hormone increasing the frequency of contractions

Answer 17

Oxytocin

Question 18

Define brachistasis in the uterus

Answer 18

As the muscle contracts it shortens and does not return to its original length when it relaxes

Question 19

Describe the Ferguson reflex

Answer 19

Stretch of the vagina, due to contraction of the uterus pressing the baby against it, send signals to the brain to release oxytocin causing further contraction

Question 20

Describe how the cervix becomes effaced

Answer 20

Baby forced against the cervix by contractions

Question 21

Describe how the body reduces bleeding after delivery of the plancenta

Answer 21

Contraction of the uterus to compress blood vessels

Question 22

How blood loss from delivery can be reduced

Answer 22

Give oxytocin

Question 23

Describe how labour can be induced

Answer 23

Prostaglandins or oxytocin

Question 24

Define the lie of a pregnancy

Answer 24

Orientation of the pregnancies longitudinal axis

Question 25

Define longitudinal lie

Answer 25

Spines of mother and foetus are aligned

Question 26

Define transverse lie

Answer 26

Spine of the foetus perpendicular to the mothers

Question 27

Define presentation of a pregnancy

Answer 27

The most inferior part of the pregnancy

Question 28

Define a cephalic lie

Answer 28

Head presenting

Question 29

Define a podallic lie

Answer 29

Buttocks presenting