Week 4 Flashcards
(109 cards)
When does blastocyst implant into uterus?
3-5 days: Transport of blastocyst into the uterus
5-8 days: blastocyst attaches to lining of uterus.
Function of trophoblastic cells
differentiate into multinucleate cells (syncytiotrophoblasts) which invade decidua and break down capillaries to form cavities filled with maternal blood
Contenst of placental villi
contains fetal capillaries separated from maternal blood by a thin layer of tissue – no direct contact between fetal & maternal blood
When is fetal heart and placenta functional?
5th week
How is corpus luteum stimulated?
Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) signals the corpus luteum to continue secreting progesterone
How does placenta act as fetal lungs?
Oxygen diffuses from the maternal into the fetal circulation system (PO2 maternal > PO2 fetal).
Carbon dioxide, (partial pressure is elevated in fetal blood) follows a reversed gradient.
3 factors facilitating O2 supply to foetus
- Fetal Hb
- Higher Hb concentration in fetal blood
3.Bohr effect
Describe HCG function
- prevents involution of Corpus Luteum
(CL: stimulates progesterone, estrogen)
*effect on the testes of male fetus - development of sex organs
Describe human placental lactogen function
produced from ~ week 5 of pregnancy
growth hormone-like effects
protein tissue formation.
decreases insulin sensitivity in mother
more glucose for the fetus
involved in breast development.
When do HCG levels start to fall?
12-14w
- this is when nausea, vomiting etc start to stop
Cardio changes in pregnancy
HR - incr to 90
- incr cardiac output need
BP - drops in 2nd trimester
- UP circulation expands
Why are pregnant women advised not to lie on back?
Uterus compresses vena cava
ECG changes in pregnancy
Relative sinus tachycardia
Slight left axis deviation
Inverted or flattened T-waves (Leads III, V1-V3)
Q-wave (Leads II, III, aVF)
Atrial and ventricular ectopic beats more common
Levels of Hb in anaemia in pregnancy
First trimester Hb <110g/L
2nd and 3rd trimester Hb <105g/L
Postnatal Hb <100 g/L
Postpartum haemorrhage is quantified by loss of how much blood?
> 500ml blood
Changes to maternal coagulation
Hypercoagulable state
Reduces risk of haemorrhage during and after delivery
Increased risk venous thromboembolism (Ddimer not used to test for PE)
Management of major haemorrhage in obstetrics
Tranexamic acid
Transfusion 4xRBC
THEN Consider FFP >2000ml or coagulopathy
Respiratory changes in pregnancy
Respiratory rate increases
Tidal and minute volume increases (50%)
pCO2 decreases slightly
Vital capacity and PO2 don’t change
Urinary system changes in pregnancy
GFR and renal plasma flow incr
Increased re-absorption of ions and water
Slight increase of urine formation
Postural changes affect renal function
Changes to metabolism/diet in pregnancy
200 extra kcal/day should be ingested by mother
85% fetal metabolism, 15% stored as maternal fat
Extra protein intake - 30g/day
End of pregnancy - fetal glucose need 5mg/kg/min
Fetus has really high metabolic demands
- accelerated starvation of mother
- reduced insulin sensitivity
Nutritional needs in pregnancy
Folic acid (folate) - reduces risk of neural tube defects
Vitamin D supplement
High protein diet, higher energy uptake
Iron supplements may be required
B vitamins - erythropoesis
- NO VITAMIN A
Hormonal changes at labour
Uterus becomes progressively more excitable
Estrogen:progesterone changes incr excitability
Prostaglandins inhibit contractility
Oxytocin incr contractions and excitability
Drugs used to induce labour
Prostaglandins to soften cervix
Oxytocin to induce contraction
Stages of labour
1st stage: cervical dilation
(8-24 hours)
2nd stage: passage of the fetus through birth canal
(few min to 120 mins, epidurl can make it a bit longer)
3rd stage: expulsion of placenta.