09.1 Foetal Physiology

Question 1

What is in the intervillous space?

Answer 1

Maternal blood

Question 2

Which vessel carries oxygenated blood from the placenta to the foetus?

Answer 2

Umbilical vein

Question 3

What is different about foetal haemoglobin?

Answer 3

Increased haematocrit

HbF variant

Question 4

Other than haemoglobin, what other factors promote O2 exchange at the placenta?

Answer 4

Maternal 2,3 BPG production increases
Double bohr effect
Double haldane effect

Question 5

What 3 circulatory shunts are present in the foetus?

Answer 5

Foramen ovale
Ductus arteriosus
Ductus venosus

Question 6

What is the foetal response to hypoxia?

Answer 6

Redistribution to the heart and brain

Vagal stimulation from chemoreceptors causes a fall in cardiac output

Question 7

What is the dominant cellular growth mechanism in weeks 0-20 and 28-term

Answer 7

Hyperplasia

Hypertrophy

Question 8

What produces amniotic fluid?

Answer 8

Urinary tract
Lungs
Placenta

Question 9

What removes amniotic fluid?

Answer 9

Swallowing

Question 10

What is meconium?

Answer 10

Debris from GI and bile

Question 11

How is billirubin handled by the foetus?

Answer 11

Placenta, liver cannot conjugate it