Test Two Flashcards
What are the presumptive signs of pregnancy?
specific changes felt by the woman
- amenorrhea, fatigue, nausea/vomiting/breast changes, urinary frequency, fatigue, quickening
- Can be caused by reasons other than pregnancy, which is why it’s labeled as presumptive
What are the probable signs of pregnancy?
changes observed by the examiner
- Hegar sign (softening/compressibility of lower uterine segment), ballottement, pregnancy tests, Goodell sign, Chadwick sign, Braxton Hicks contractions, uterine soufflé
- can be other possible causes which is why it’s labeled probable
What are the positive signs of pregnancy?
signs that are attributable only to the presence of the fetus
-hearing fetal heart tones, visualization of the fetus, palpating fetal movements
What is the role and function of estrogen? What does it cause? What are its effects?
relaxes ligaments in chest wall increasing lung expansion, increases vascularity of upper respiratory tract (increased feelings of congestion),
- enlarges genitals, uterus, breasts and vasodilatation.
- relaxation of pelvic ligaments and joints, retention of Na and H2O by kidney tubules.
- Decreases hydrochloric acid and pepsin (~nausea during preg)
- cause selective increased vascularity and connective tissue proliferation (gums are spongy, swollen, bleed easily)
- Alters metabolism of nutrients by interfering with with folic acid metabolism, increasing the level of total body proteins and promoting retention of sodium and water by kidney tubules
What is the role and function of progesterone? What does it cause? What are its effects?
- Maintains pregnancy by relaxing smooth muscles, resulting in decreased uterine contractility and prevention of miscarriage
- responsible for increasing the sensitivity of the respiratory center receptors and an acid-base balance that pregnancy is a compensatory resp. alkalosis
- increased progesterone = decreased GI motility/constipation and “heartburn
- decreased tone and motility of smooth muscles, resulting in esophageal regurgitation, slower emptying time of the stomach and reverse peristalsis (heartburn or pyrosis)
- causes loss of muscle tone and decreased peristalsis resulting in an increase in water absorption from the colon leading to constipation
- Progesterone causes increase in cholesterol production, thickening of bile and decreased emptying time (gallstones)
Estrogen and progesterone together are responsible for…
- cause fat deposits in abdomen, back, and upper thighs
- are responsible for the increased sensitivity of the respiratory center to carbon dioxide
- change renal structure (renal pelves and ureters dilate and a larger volume of urine is held in the pelves and ureters and urine flow rate is slow resulting in urinary stasis, UIT, nocturia, etc)
What is the role and function of hcg? What does it cause? What are its effects?
is earliest biochemical marker for pregnancy; pregnancy tests are based on recognition of hCG or beta subunit of hCG, secreted by the placenta, detectable 7-10 days after conception
-High levels: may indicate abnormal gestation (e.g. Downs syndrome)
Low levels: slow increase or a decrease may indicate impending miscarriage
-maintains the production b the corpus luteum of estrogen and progesterone until the placenta takes over production
At 20 weeks where is the fundus?
The umbilicus!
Estrogen and Progesterone: How do they effect the respiratory adaptation of pregnancy?
Estrogen cause the ligaments of the rib cage to relax, increasing chest expansion
- Estrogen makes the upper respiratory tract become more vascular (as capillaries engorge, edema and hyperemia develop within the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, and bronchi leading to congestion, epistaxis, changes in voice, mild upper resp. infection
- Progesterone and estrogen: responsible for the increased sensitivity of the respiratory center to carbon dioxide (pregnant women become more aware of the need to breathe)
- Progesterone may be responsible for increasing the sensitivity of the respiratory center receptors (tidal volume increases, PCO2 decreases, and pH increases slightly) leading to compensatory respiratory alkalosis (these changes help transport carbon dioxide from fetus and oxygen release from the mother to the fetus)
Estrogen and Progesterone:
How do they effect renal adaptation of pregnancy
- Changes in renal structure, renal pelves and ureters dilate, increased GFR and RPF (renal plasma flow)
- estrogen alters metabolism of nutrients by interfering with folic acid metabolism, increase the total body proteins, and promoting the retention of sodium and water by the kidney tubles
- Estrogen can make gums hyperemic, swollen, and bleed easily
What is the mechanism that causes the mild peripheral edema?
- 500-900 mEq of sodium is retained to meet fetal needs. Because of the need for increased fluid volume (for mom and baby), additional sodium is needed to expand fluid volume and maintain an isotonic state
- Kidneys can excrete water during the early weeks of pregnancy more efficiently than later in pregnancy. The pooling of fluid in the legs in the latter part of pregnancy decreases renal blood flow and GFR (requires no treatment).
What causes the nausea?
possibly in response to high hCG
-estrogen may decrease secretion of hydrochloric acid and pepsin (which may be responsible for digestive upsets such as nausea)
How does estrogen and progesterone effect GI system (constipations, etc)?
decreased hCl acid (leading to peptic ulcer formation, nausea), decreased tone and motility of smooth muscles resulting in esophageal regurgitation, slower emptying time of the stomach, and reverse peristalsis (heartburn aka pyrosis), increase in water absorption from the colon and may cause constipation,slight hypercholesterolemia may lead to gallstones
Why does the center of gravity change?
Abdominal distention gives the pelvis a forward tilt, decreased abdominal muscle tone, and increased weight bearing cause realignment of the spinal curvature late in pregnancy and move the woman’s center of gravity forward
-An increase in the cure of the back (lordosis) develops, and exaggerated anterior flexion of the head develops to help her maintain her balance
Why does she waddle? What does estrogen and progesterone do to the joints
Walking is more difficult with the center of gravity shift
- the ligamentous and muscular structures of the middle and lower spine may be severely stressed
- Estrogen and relaxin hormones relax and soften the body, enlarged pelvic dimensions, separation of the symphysis pubis and instability of the sacroiliac joints may cause pain and difficulty in walking
What are some of the psychosocial things mom and dad go through to adapt to pregnancy?
Mother: accepting the pregnancy, identifying with the role of mother, reorder the relationships between herself and her mother and between herself and her partner, establishing a relationship with the unborn child, and preparing for the birth experience
Father: accepting the pregnancy (announcement phase, moratorium phase, and the focusing phase), identifying with the father role, reordering personal relationships, establishing a relationship with the fetus, and preparing for childbirth
What is couvde syndrome?
men who experience pregnancy-like symptoms, such as nausea, weight gain, and other physical symtoms
What are the normal lab tests you would do prenatally?
H&H, WBC, blood type, Rh, Rubella titer, TB, UA, BUN, creatinine, electrolytes, total protein excretion, pap test, vaginal smear for gonorrhea, chlamydia, HPV, GBS, HIV, hep B, MSAFP/Quad-screen, glucose tolerance tests, ECG, chest x-ray, and echo
Would you give a pregnant woman a live vaccine?
No
What are some variations of adolescent pregnant mothers?
- much less likely than older women to receive adequate prenatal care, more likely to smoke and less likely to gain adequate weight during pregnancy, increased risk of LBW, serious and long-term disability, and of dying during the first year of life
- delayed prenatal care can result in late recognition of pregnancy, denial of pregnancy, or confusion about the available services, inadequate time before birth to attend to correctable problems, higher risk for conditions associated with first pregnancy regardless of age (gestational hypertension)
What are some variations of older pregnant mothers?
- Multiparous women: some have never used contraceptives and some have used them but stop as menopause approaches and become pregnant
- Primiparous: often successfully established in a career and lifestyle with a partner with time for self-attention
- partners seem to share the preparation for parenthood and plan a family-centered birth, women seek lots of information, adverse perinatal outcomes are more common in older primiparas even with good prenatal care (LBW, premature birth, and multiparas), increased risk of maternal mortality (hemorrhage, infection, embolisms, HTN disorders, cardiomyopathy, and strokes)
What are some nutritional needs during pregnancy?
Energy needs, weight gain, protein, fluids, fiber, calcium, iron, zinc, iodine, magnesium, vitamin A, D, E, C, folate and B6, B12, grain products, vegetables, fruits, milk and milk products, meats, nuts, eggs
What are some specific vitamin needs during pregnancy and why?
Iron Calcium Sodium Zinc Fluoride Fat-soluble vitamins Water-soluble vitamins Multivitamin-multimineral supplements during pregnancy
What are some things they should avoid pregnancy?
caffeine, alcohol, smoking, high levels of mercury in fish